Friday, March 12, 2010

CCWD Board To Consider 2010 Water Conservation Program

Please Continue to Conserve to Ensure Efficient Water Use

Good News! Precipitation from this season’s storms has replenished most reservoirs in the state and produced a snowpack that is slightly above average. The District expects an adequate supply of water to meet the reasonable needs of its customers.

While the state appears to be coming out of a three-year drought cycle, changing regulatory conditions make for uncertainty in Delta water supplies and delivery of water through the Delta system. Water conservation is still a priority.

At its March 17 meeting, the CCWD Board of Directors will review a proposed 2010 Water Conservation Program that is substantially relaxed compared to 2009. It could supersede the District’s 2009 Drought Management Program.

The goal of the proposed program is to encourage customers to continue using water efficiently and discourage waste.

For residential, irrigation and agricultural customers, this proposal will:

  • Encourage customers to continue conserving and not increase water use beyond their historical use (based on water use in the years 2005, ’06 and ’07).
  • Maintain an Excess Use Charge for customers using an unreasonable and wasteful amount of water.
    • Customers historically using 1,000 gallons per day or less will be subject to an Excess Use Charge should they increase their water use to more than 1,000 gallons per day.
    • Customers historically using more than 1,000 gallons of water per day will be subject to an Excess Use Charge for water use higher than their historical use.
    • The Excess Use Charge applies only to excess water used and will be billed at two times the quantity charge. See an example of water charges under the proposal.
  • If customers have a change in circumstances since the 2005-2007 historical base period (such as adding more people to their household), they may apply for an exception. Any exceptions to the program granted during 2009 or 2010, would remain in place under the proposed program.

Following the reading of the 2010 Water Conservation Program, the Board is expected to vote on the proposal at its April 7 meeting. If approved, the program would go into effect on May 1.

The existing Drought Management Program remains in effect.

If you have questions, please send an email or call (925) 688-8175