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SCV DROUGHT NEWSLETTER - APRIL 2023 |
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Governor Newsom recently lifted the state’s 15% voluntary water savings goal, and the CA Department of Water Resources also increased our imported water allocation to 75%. We want to thank our customers for rising to the challenge. From May 2022 through February 2023, during our Stage 2 declaration, customers reduced water use by about 15% - using nearly three billion gallons less compared to 2020.
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BE A FRIEND TO MOTHER NATURE |
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SCV Water will align our actions with the latest guidance, but keep in mind that we recently went from drought to deluge. And California will likely continue to see this "climate whiplash," cycling from drenched to dry and back again. These uncertain weather cycles mean we may not know when the next storm will come or how long the next drought will last. But we know that by using water efficiently and effectively, no matter the weather, we will be more prepared and less impacted by Mother Nature.
NOW IS THE TIME TO ADOPT THAT SCV-FRIENDLY, WATER-EFFICIENT LIFESTYLE! HOW CAN YOU DO THAT, YOU ASK?
- Be intentional with your water use by minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.
- Plant sustainable landscapes that thrive and survive our extreme weather.
- Use sustainable irrigation practices, like regularly checking for leaks.
- Enjoy a yard full of colorful and eye-catching plants!
Sustainable habits save water today,
so it’s around tomorrow – and we can’t do that without you.
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REWIND - WATER MATTERS:
AFTER THE STORMS
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SCV Water recently hosted “Water Matters: After the Storms,” a virtual webinar about the impact of recent storms on our state and local water supply. Watch the recording to learn more. |
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SMART IRRIGATION SYSTEMS: GO WITH THE WATER SAVINGS FLOW |
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Saving water doesn’t have to be a drag: Irrigate smarter with SCV Water’s Healthy and Efficient Landscape Program (HELP). Customers receive rebates on smart controllers, high-efficiency irrigation upgrades, pressure regulation and more.
SPRING IS ALSO THE IDEAL TIME TO:
Give Your Sprinklers a Break: Recent rain (and snow!) saturated the soil. So, give your sprinklers a break and water only when needed. Here’s a quick tip: If “the hills are alive” and green around our valley, you know Mother Nature is taking care of your irrigation needs, too.
Invest in a “Smart” Controller: A "smart" controller calculates how much water your landscape needs automatically. It takes the guesswork out of saving water. (We have a rebate for that!)
Give Your Irrigation System a Spring Tune-up: Review your irrigation system for leaks, broken heads, or drip lines that may be secretly wasting water. Also, be sure to adjust your sprinklers so they don't spray walls, sidewalks or driveways.
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SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPES = GOOD GARDEN VIBES |
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Spruce up your garden with a gorgeous, sustainable landscape. SCV Water’s Lawn Replacement Program makes saving water simple when you convert your lawn to a water-wise landscape that thrives in SoCal.
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BUSINESSES ARE ROLLING OUT SUSTAINABLE, ATTRACTIVE OUTDOOR LANDSCAPES |
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Did you know? Some turf grass is used for sports or recreation, but sometimes it's just for show, and likely using valuable drinking water. SCV Water works with commercial, industrial and institutional customers and HOAs to convert non-functional turf (NFT) into sustainable landscapes.
The state of California has banned watering NFT with potable water as part of its Emergency Drought Declaration. Making the switch ensures water goes where it’s needed most – and that’s not on ornamental turf.
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GARDEN LOVE: WATER SAVING CLASSES, REBATES AND PROGRAMS IN BLOOM |
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Get your garden groove on! Join our experts at SCV Water's FREE landscape and garden workshops. Pick up Santa Clarita Valley-friendly tips and resources one Saturday a month from 9 to 11 a.m. Virtual classes are open to anyone. In-person classes are for SCV Water customers only.
SCV Water is also home to many programs, rebates and resources for water-wise living.
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SCV WATER RECEIVES $5 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS FOR REGIONAL DROUGHT RESILIENCY PROJECT |
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SCV Water was recently awarded a $5 million grant under the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSmart Drought Response Program (funded through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law). Funds will go toward the construction of the Agency's S Wells Per- & Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Substances Treatment and Disinfection Facilities that restore local, reliable water to the SCV.
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HOW MODERNIZING INFRASTRUCTURE CAN HELP TO CAPTURE MORE STORM FLOW |
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The series of atmospheric river storms that brought record-breaking amounts of rain and snow in January had many Californians asking if our existing water infrastructure is able to capture and store flows from these extreme weather events. With climate change resulting in stronger storms carrying more water and the possibility of major flooding, the answer is more complicated than one might think.
“As the world gets warmer as a result of climate change, we see a change in the distribution of rain and snow,” said State Climatologist Michael Anderson. “This results in more runoff during the storm event itself, potentially creating a flood hazard and leaving less to run off from the snowpack in the spring for storage in our reservoirs.”
Whether it falls as rain or snow, the majority of that water flows through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta – the center of California’s water distribution system – on its way to the San Francisco Bay. From state and federal pumping facilities in the south Delta, water is lifted into the aqueducts that carry it to the Bay Area, Central Coast, Central Valley and Southern California, to be delivered to 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland.
Regulations govern how much water may be diverted to the aqueducts in order to protect water quality and fisheries. These regulations are based in part on the physical location of the facilities.
The Delta Conveyance Project is a proposed infrastructure modernization project outlined in Governor Newsom’s strategy to adapt California’s water supply for a hotter and drier future. The project is an essential climate adaptation strategy that will help adapt to climate change and aid in ensuring the State Water Project can capture, move and store water during extreme weather events like the nine atmospheric rivers experienced in January.
For example, if the Delta Conveyance Project had been operational during the high rain events of January this year, the modernized conveyance system could have moved 228,000 acre-feet of water into San Luis Reservoir while still meeting fishery and water quality protections and regulations. That’s enough water to supply about 2.3 million people for an entire year and is equivalent to approximately 40 percent of the total State Water Project exports in water year 2022.
As encouraging as the recent rainfall and snowpack statistics are, state water managers note that drought conditions persist and it will take years to replenish groundwater basins. While the winter season has been positive, the most important measurement of the year will be April 1 when the snowpack is typically at its highest.
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27234 Bouquet Canyon Rd
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
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