At its September meeting, the board of directors of the Santa Fe Irrigation District General Manager assisted Al Lau in declaring a Drought Response Level 1, which provides for a voluntary 10% reduction in customer water use.
This call is in response to deteriorating water supply conditions across the Southwest and supports Governor Newsom’s call to the entire state to reduce water use. According to a press release, the plan and decades of investment by fee payers in new water supplies, expanding water storage, and implementing water-use efficiency programs have enabled the San Diego area to weather historic drought conditions.
“While the governor’s request for a reduction is voluntary, it is important for SFID and the entire San Diego area to partner with others across the state to conserve water and maintain storage capacity in the event of a dry winter,” said SFID- CEO Michael Hogan giving the approval. “It’s important not just to the San Diego area, but to all of California’s communities, our environment, and the economy.”
The Level 1 declaration is in line with the SFID Emergency Water Scarcity Plan, approved by the Board in June 2021, along with the municipal water management plan, which contains forecast demand and supply for SFID. This document sets out the steps SFID can take to mitigate drought locally and across the state, and in response to potential mandates and allocations.
SFID is taking this step now to give customers time to prepare and evaluate their usage in anticipation of worsening conditions and further restrictions, as announced by the governor this summer.
SFID said it recognized the efforts made by customers to reduce consumption by more than 30% since 2007, and is now asking residents to reevaluate their water usage and find ways to avoid water wastage.
Some voluntary actions under the voluntary application include:
- Stop hosing down paved surfaces
- Stop the runoff of landscape irrigation
- Wash vehicles with a hand hose / shut-off nozzle or at commercial locations with circulating water
- Require refilling of restaurant water only on request
- Offer hotel linen only on request
- Use non-potable water for construction purposes when available
For more discount tips and links, visit the SFID website at sfidwater.org. Water audits are also available to residential and commercial customers, and customers in unincorporated areas are also eligible for programs to reduce the cost of rain cisterns, permeable walkways, and co-payments for irrigation improvements on farm land.
Customers can find more information and tips on SFID Twitter (@SFID) and Facebook (@SantaFeID) accounts.
Comments are closed.