Santa Clarita Valley Family of Water Suppliers Calls on Residents to Reduce Water Use Immediately Voluntary Reduction a Must to Ensure Water for the Region
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s declaration of a drought state of emergency this February came with a major call to action for Californians to do their part in tackling the water crisis. In an effort to fight the state’s third consecutive year of drought, the Governor called upon residents to conserve. Locally, the Santa Clarita Valley Family of Water Suppliers (Suppliers) asks all Santa Clarita Valley residents to take immediate action and to reduce water use.
While the five local Suppliers have taken multiple steps to prepare for limited water resources, there is still substantially less water available for the region due to severe drought conditions and reduced water supplies. As a result, the Suppliers will tap into reserves this summer to ensure adequate water for the valley. In anticipation of future dry years, the Suppliers will supplement imported State Water Project water by using banked supplies and have implemented a Voluntary Water Conservation Action Plan (Action Plan), which calls for voluntary residential water reduction.
“The Suppliers have proactively worked together to prepare for these drought conditions,” said Steve Cole, General Manager of the Newhall County Water District and chairman of the Santa Clarita Valley Drought Committee. “However, it’s important to remind the community that part of this drought plan depends upon resident participation in reducing water use.”
For residents of the Santa Clarita Valley, where approximately 60 percent of the region’s water comes from Northern and Central California through the State Water Project, this means adopting simple, daily changes to reduce strain on limited water resources. Because local groundwater does not provide a sufficient water supply to meet all the valley’s needs, it is critical that residents adjust their lifestyles to the drought conditions. The Suppliers recommend the following simple steps to reduce water use, outlined in the Action Plan:
• Reduce outdoor watering to no more than three times per week
• Set sprinklers to run during early morning hours and for no longer than 10 minutes per station
• Sweep sidewalks and driveways instead of washing them down
“The common-sense adjustments recommended by the Suppliers are the optimal way to save water,” explained Robert Newman, Public Works Director for the City of Santa Clarita. “Last year, the City made great progress in its effort to conserve water and we know residents can, too. A few simple changes to outdoor watering habits can make a world of difference, helping residents to reduce water use and save money at the same time.”
The Suppliers consists of the Castaic Lake Water Agency, Newhall County Water District, Los Angeles County Waterworks District No.36 Val Verde, Santa Clarita Water Division and Valencia Water Company in cooperation with the City of Santa Clarita and Los Angeles County. Together, this group is committed to reducing water use in the valley in order to create a more sustainable environment for the future.
Conserving water today and every day. For more tips and to view the Action Plan visit www.scvh2o.org .