Saving a Little Water Goes a Long Way
Can you remember the last time it rained? Neither can most area residents. In fact, a good soaking is such a distant memory that officials are once again preparing for the worst. Neighboring cities such as Roseville and Elk Grove have been conserving their water for months as drought like conditions continue. Rancho Cordova is next in line.
The Sacramento County Water Agency called for it’s 50,000 customers in and around Rancho Cordova to cut their water use by 10%. While this doesn’t seem like an extreme measure at this point, especially when compared to other water conservation programs throughout the nation, we can all do our small part. Major cities that are facing a perpetual drought like Phoenix, Arizona have very strict regulations concerning water waste. Arizona residents could face monetary fines of up to $2,500 and termination of water service if caught wasting water on a regular basis.
While the Sacramento area isn’t facing drought conditions of that proportion, water supplies are being cut, and residents are being asked to be a little more aware of the water they are using. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation cut the amount of water the Sacrament County Water Agency was allowed due to the lower than expected snow melt runoff to Folsom Lake. The division chief of the water agency, Herb Niederberger, told area residents, “We’re asking for just prudent use of your water supplies, making sure that you’re using it efficiently so that there’s water for everyone”.
The agency has approved a list of common sense water saving tips that include turning off the water when you’re brushing your teeth and putting covers on pools and spas. At this point, just being aware of how we’re using our water and making small cuts where we can could save our community from a more serious threat in the future.
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Posted by Michelle Ventress
on Aug 20 2008. Filed under Lifestyle.
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Sounds like a reasonable request. But public information about who actully benefits from it the most might encourage some residents (the water wasters) to be more considerate.
A recent news story about a new large aqueduct in San Bernadino, Ca (we used to live near there) noted that water due to flow to there will be coming from here. So does Southern Cal get the amount we save here? .. . . . . just asking.
Here’s what I know. San Bernardino does get most of its water from an open 444-mile-long aqueduct that carries water from the Delta through the San Joaquin Valley to southern Cal. If Northern Cal saves10% of its water by – say watering yards less, does that equal the amount of evaporation that occurs over the 444 mile trip to So Cal? Or does it have more to do with a less publicized project that will require a new canal to carry away even more water to So Cal . . . . . . Just asking again.
This brings me to my original question about having more public information available about who actually benefits the most. Seems to me this re-watering of California will become more important as time goes on. So while compassion for our fellows is the best viewpoint to have’ It behooves the Post to keep us informed about the ramifications for RC.
@ Terry
That is an excellent question. After looking through the Sacramento County Water Agency website, I still couldn’t tell you exactly the final destination of Valley water. The Agency does make mention of the “Central Valley Project” numerous times, but does not give the locations this project affects. I’m looking into it, and I’ll update the page as soon as I know something.
I completely agree that this will become an increasingly important issue as time goes on.