District Calls for Continued Water Savings While Seeking Long-Term Solutions

By Kim Adamson, General Manager Soquel Creek Water District

There is a lot happening in the water world. With the Governor’s declaration of the first statewide mandate on reducing water use, water has been in the forefront of the media locally and throughout California. At the Soquel Creek Water District we are continuing to focus on short and long-term actions that ensure we can provide a safe, reliable supply of high-quality water in an environmentally sensitive and economically responsible way. Here are a few of the ways we are working together with the community to achieve this:

Continuing our Stage 3
Water Shortage and Groundwater Emergencies

Due to our community’s long-term groundwater shortage compounded by a fourth year of drought, the District’s board approved continuing the current Stage 3 Water Shortage Emergency on April 21. The goal is to reduce the District’s overall water use by 25% compared to 2013. This does not mean that that all of our customers have to cut back an additional 25% of the water they are currently using! Stage 3 emergency water rates take effect June 1 that will increase an average customer’s water bill by about $7 per month. Actions and measures related to the Stage 3 Emergency are in place (see figure) and will be enforced.

We appreciate the amazing water-savings our customers achieved over the last few years, and we’re asking them to do their part by continuing their successful efforts to use water as efficiently as possible in their homes and businesses, and to do even more to use less, where possible. The hard work and brown lawns are helping to protect our water supply, and we thank you for your efforts.

Developing a Strategic Plan with Your Input

While we’re working together to conserve water, our community needs to look beyond the current drought to solve our over-drafted groundwater supply problem and ensure that we have water for future generations. The District has kicked-off a strategic planning process to refine our vision, mission, values and goals to create a roadmap for long-range planning. Please come out and participate during two community involvement meetings on Wednesday, June 3 from 12-2PM and 6-8PM at the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz, 7807 Soquel Drive, Soquel.

Committee Looking for Additional Private Well Representation

The Soquel-Aptos Groundwater Management Committee is a partnership between the City and County of Santa Cruz, Central Water District, and Soquel Creek Water District to oversee groundwater management activities in the mid-county area. The eleven-member committee has been expanded to include three at-large public members who represent private well issues and is seeking applicants to fill two of these openings. If you own, manage, or are served by a private well and are interested in applying, please visit www.soquelcreekwater.org/SAGMC for more details.

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For more information and to stay informed of Soquel Creek Water District activities, events, programs, meetings, etc., I encourage you to visit our website at www.soquelcreekwater.org.