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Santa Clara Valley Water District seeks emergency water cuts
The Santa Clara Valley Water District announced on Monday it is seeking a 15% reduction in countywide water use from 2019 levels. Residents and businesses will be asked to reduce watering lawns and landscaping no more than three days a week and the district will enforce rules against water wasting.
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The Santa Clara Valley Water District announced on Monday it is seeking a 15% reduction in countywide water use from 2019 levels.
Water district spokesman Matt Keller said that residents and businesses will be asked to reduce watering lawns and landscaping no more than three days a week and the district will enforce rules against water wasting.
That means people could be fined if they waste water.
Residents should make sure they don't water so much that the water runs into the street or wash their cars without a nozzle on the hose.
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Lake Oroville starts June at drastically low levels
The low water levels are guaranteed to impact summer recreational boating, along with farms in California who rely on water outflows from the lake.
The district’s board is expected to approve the drought plan on Wednesday.
The board is asking Santa Clara County to also declare a local emergency.
See it: US Drought Monitor shows intensifying drought in California
The proposed reduction amounts to a 33% reduction from 2013 levels, the Mercury News first reported.
The water district, based in San Jose, is Santa Clara County’s largest water provider, delivers water to 2 million residents.
The Mercury News notes the move will be the first time since the historic drought of 2012 to 2016 that Santa Clara County residents will face mandatory water restrictions. The county also will become the most populous area in California to impose mandatory water restrictions.