ACWA Applauds Official Drought Declaration by Gov. Brown

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Jan 17, 2014) -  Timothy Quinn, executive director of the statewide Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), issued the following statement on Gov. Jerry Brown's formal declaration today of a statewide drought. The governor also called on Californians to immediately reduce water use by 20%.

"The governor's action today is exactly what we needed to underscore the severity of the dry conditions in California. Many key reservoirs are at record low levels and our critical snowpack is non-existent. This translates to a dismal water supply for the state.

"A formal drought declaration signals that the state is prepared to channel resources and assistance to the areas in greatest stress this year, and paves the way for water transfers and other actions that can provide relief.

"Equally important, this gives us a leg up in raising awareness with the public. Californians tend to take notice when the governor highlights an issue, and right now there is no topic more critical than our state's water supply.

"ACWA, working in partnership with the Department of Water Resources, is stepping up to educate Californians on the need for conservation through the Save Our Water program. The program will be the hub of consumer-focused conservation information this year. ACWA will be tracking local conditions and assisting our members as needed.

"We have a challenging year ahead of us that will require leadership, active water management by the state's local water agencies, and the active engagement of all Californians. We all must do our part to save water. Longer term, the governor has called for a comprehensive plan to improve water supply reliability statewide. We stand ready to advance such a plan and the necessary investments to secure California's water future."

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 440 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.