Even with recent winter storms, it would take several more storms to end California's ongoing drought. As the drought continues, EMWD answers some of your most-asked questions.
What is the Latest on the Drought?
California has issued an anticipated zero percent allocation for the State Water Project (SWP) system in 2022. This means agencies such as EMWD that typically rely on the SWP for all or part of their water supplies are unlikely to receive water imported from Northern California if conditions do not change. That is why investments in a diversified water supply porfolio, such as EMWD’s, are so important.
What are EMWD's Current Regulations?
EMWD in November moved to Stage 3a of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan, which eliminates variances for new landscapes, new swimming pools, and is designed to limit water waste. EMWD is asking customers to remain within their water budgets — something that more than 80 percent of our customers already do.
What About New Developments Being Built?
EMWD is not a land use agency. Cities and the County of Riverside approve developments based on their General Plans. EMWD's role is to provide equitable services to meet the needs of the development approved by those land use agencies.
EMWD has a sophisticated system in place in which new homes and businesses fund new water supply sources to meet their own needs. When new homes or businesses are constructed, they pay Financial Participation Charges (FPC) that pay for infrastructure expansion. This includes projects such as our new Perris II Desalination complex, Mountain Avenue West Groundwater Replenishment facility, Perris North Groundwater Program, and our Purified Water Replenishment project.
These projects and programs, funded in-part by FPC’s, help us create new local water supply sources so new development is not “taking” from existing homes and businesses, but helping to expand our supplies.
How Much has Climate Change Led to This Drought?
Droughts are cyclical in nature and part of living in an arid climate such as Southern California.
Climate change has resulted in longer dry stretches, more severe but less frequent storms, and decreases in runoff into reservoirs and watersheds.
Because of how different these new climate patterns are, it is important that future infrastructure — such as EMWD’s Water Banking program — can adapt to this new normal.
Is California Building More Water Storage?
California voters approved funding in the 2014 Water Bond for more storage facilities, including
the proposed Sites Reservoir project. But it takes years to complete those projects and more storage is not the only solution. Investments in local supplies, such as what EMWD is doing, are just as important.
To see answers to more frequently asked questions about California's drought, be sure to visit the FAQ page on our website.
