Contact Information: Contact: Jennifer Persike ACWA Director of Strategic Coordination and Public Affairs 916/441-4545 916/296-3981 (cell)
Near Record-Low Water Allocation Paints Grim Picture for 2009
Water Agencies Gearing Up for Shortages in Potential Third Dry Year
| Source: Association of California Water Agencies
SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwire - October 30, 2008) - Association of California Water Agencies
(ACWA) Executive Director Timothy Quinn issued the following statement
today on the initial 2009 water supply allocations announced by the
Department of Water Resources. The department has notified State Water
Project contractors that they may receive just 15% of requested deliveries
next year -- the second lowest initial allocation in the project's history.
SWP contractors deliver water to 25 million Californians and more than
750,000 acres of farmland.
"This extremely low allocation leaves little doubt that we are in critical
territory going into 2009. While the State Water Project service area will
clearly see major impacts as a result of this allocation, the drought will
continue to have a grip on the entire state. And it is likely to get worse
before it gets better.
"All Californians have to take this seriously. Though many of the drought
actions have been voluntary to this point, we see a trend toward more
restrictive kinds of actions. Tight controls on outdoor water use will be
the norm, and many Californians will see drought surcharges and higher
water rates to encourage conservation.
"Even if it rains tomorrow or we end up with a wet year, we can't assume
these problems will go away. It's a new day in California water as we deal
with both drought and court-ordered restrictions on water deliveries. We
have to invest in making our system -- and particularly the Delta -- more
sustainable so we can meet the needs of species and the environment and
still have a reliable water supply."
ACWA is partnering with the Department of Water Resources to coordinate
drought assistance and public education efforts. More on ACWA's efforts and
drought response measures is available at
http://www.acwa.com/issues/drought2008/water_supply_conditions.asp.
ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 450 members are
responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more
information, visit www.acwa.com.