SACRAMENTO–The Regional Water Authority (RWA) Board of Directors yesterday unanimously adopted a resolution urging its 22 water provider members to continue efforts to reduce water use by 20 percent or more.
“With our typically wettest winter months behind us and a Sierra snowpack at historic lows, it’s time for all of us to get ready for a fourth drought year,” said RWA Executive Director John Woodling. “A ‘March Miracle’ storm doesn’t seem to be on the horizon, but even that will not be enough to erase the effects of three dry years and higher-than-average temperatures.”
In January 2014, the RWA Board passed a similar resolution urging its members to cut water use by 20 percent. Soon after, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a statewide drought emergency. Last year, the Sacramento region responded by reducing water use by nearly 20 percent overall compared to 2013, saving 30 billion gallons of water.
“Sacramento-area residents have done an outstanding job at conserving water during this severe drought,” said RWA Water Efficiency Program Manager Amy Talbot. “We’re asking everyone to keep up the great work to maintain that reduced water use.”
Actions residents can take immediately include:
- Limit landscape watering, following your water provider’s guidelines. Most household water use occurs outdoors. Residents should keep sprinklers off until later in spring, watering trees, shrubs and vegetable gardens by hand only if the weather stays dry for several weeks in a row.
- Reduce water use inside by limiting showers to five minutes or less and checking plumbing and appliances for leaks and fixing them within 48 hours.
- Make longer-term investments in water efficiency by replacing older toilets, clothes washers, dishwashers and aerators with high-efficiency models, or by upgrading water-wasting sprinklers and irrigation equipment. Many water providers offer rebates to help offset costs. Visit BeWaterSmart.info or call 1-888-WTR-TIPS for more information.
An interactive map that outlines watering restrictions for each water provider plus tips for using water wisely are available at BeWaterSmart.info.
About the Regional Water Authority: RWA is a joint powers authority representing two dozen water providers and affiliates in the greater Sacramento area. Its primary mission is to help its members protect and enhance the reliability, availability, affordability and quality of water resources.
