Drought? 

Santa Cruz Water Conservation Board Takes Action.

Amidst drought conditions, The Santa Cruz City Council Water Department ("the Water Department") unanimously affirmed mandatory ordinance to ration Santa Cruz's water supply. The Water Department's goal is to trim water consumption down by 25 percent. And it's already working! Read more to find out how.  

The Lock Lomond Reservoir, which supplies a substantial portion of Santa Cruz's water supply, is currently at a sixteen-year low. Without reduced consumption, according to the Water Department, the Reservoir is expected to drop to the one-third mark, which would put the city in "peril," according to an article by the Sentinel. The City's plan, however, is predicted to keep the Reservoir at its halfway mark, which would be sufficient until October, when it is historically possible to receive significant rainfall again.

Beginning in September, a four-person home in Santa Cruz will be allotted 249 gallons of water per month. Condominiums and duplexes will be allotted between 124 and 174 gallons per residence per month.

While over consumption will create financial fines, the point of the plan is not to raise revenue, according to Santa Cruz Water Director Rosemary Menard; rather, the Water Department genuinely seeks to promote conservation. In support of this, Menard indicated that a first violation would be forgiven in exchange for attendance of a three-hour "Water School" class designed to educate on conservation.