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CONSERVE MORE TO AVOID SEVERE WATER RESTRICTIONS
Azusa Light & Water (ALW) urges all customers to conserve water to avoid drastic measures when water supplies get lower.
Drought conditions are worsening. According to the US drought monitor, more than 95% of California is experiencing severe drought. January through March has been the driest three-month period in history. Groundwater, rainfall, statewide snowpack and reservoirs, each continue to remain below average levels. As we approach the summer months, all signs are pointing toward worsening drought conditions and water supply shortages.
Governor Newsom called on all Californians to “voluntarily” reduce water use by 15% last year, but water savings for the State tracked since July 2021 is only 6.4%, less than half the target. On March 28, 2022, Governor Newsom approved Executive Order N-7-22 that calls for 20% reduction, Level 2 Water Shortage Contingency Plan, which requires locally-appropriate actions to conserve water across all sectors. Currently, ALW is meeting the 20% reduction requirement.
On April 26, 2022, Metropolitan Water District (MWD) Board approved an Emergency Conservation Program limiting outdoor watering for their customers to one day per week starting June 1 to ease the burden of water supply shortages from "non-essential" water use. MWD’s water allocations from the State Water Project (SWP) has been reduced from 15% to 5% due to the lack of rainfall early this year which could further strain its water supplies.
What does this mean for ALW customers? ALW is divided into three districts according to wholesale “replenishment water” providers. Majority of customers located within the Azusa city limits are within the boundaries of San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Four Cities); but there are portions of the City that are located within Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District); and a small portion within Three Valleys Municipal Water District (TVMWD) jurisdictions. Customers located outside Azusa city limits are either within Upper District or TVMWD.
65% of ALW’s water supplies come from groundwater wells and 35% from surface water treated at the Hsu Water Filtration Plant. Currently, ALW does not take a direct treated water source from the State Water Project but we can, in case of emergency. ALW utilizes SWP water to replenish the Upper San Gabriel Basin watershed to recharge the aquifer.
From April through October, ALW allows three days outdoor watering per week and other mandatory water restrictions are in effect. The watering restrictions and ongoing water conservation efforts of ALW customers are helping to meet the State's water use reduction requirement and stave off more drastic mandatory restrictions. But things may change if drought conditions get worse and the State declares a statewide emergency. That is why there is a great need for customers to continue to conserve water since ALW's groundwater supplies remain well below desired levels.
ALW and its governing board will potentially consider to implement a two-day a week outdoor watering schedule at the May Utility Board Meeting. Customers will be updated of any changes to the current watering restrictions.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO CONSERVE WATER. THANK YOU.
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