Water Shortage Emergency Extended to Spring

On June 15, the Soquel Creek Water District Board voted to extend the Stage 3 Water Shortage Emergency until Spring 2022 due to the chronic overdraft of the groundwater basin and the threat of seawater intrusion.

Under a Stage 3 Shortage, the water district asks customers to voluntarily limit water use to an average of 50 gallons per person per day or around 2 billing units per person per month, follow all Stage 3 water restrictions, and comply with water waste rules which are always in effect.

Soquel Creek Water District declared a Stage 3 Water Shortage Emergency in 2014 due to the community’s long-term groundwater supply shortage and the threat of seawater, salty water from the ocean entering freshwater aquifer, making parts or possibly all of the aquifer unusable.

The conservation goal in 2021 and early 2022 is to collectively use 25% less water than the expected highest usage of 2,900 acre-feet per year. To achieve this goal, Soquel Creek Water District staff are encouraging an efficient residential water use of 50 gallons per person per day or less.

More information about the water shortage declaration can be found in the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan at https://tinyurl.com/sqcwd-urban-water-report

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Stage 3 Water Shortage Emergency Guidelines

• Efficient Water Use Guideline: Efficient water use is defined as an annual average of 50 gallons per person, per day. This is a general guideline only as each household is unique.
• Car Washing Restriction: Use of a recycled water car wash is preferred. However, vehicles may be washed at home if done efficiently. This means any of the three methods: A waterless spray, a bucket and hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle, and/or a pressure washer. All methods should minimize water running off of the property.
• Exterior Structure Washing Restriction: No exterior washing of structures unless for sanitation and health purposes, or if preparing to paint or stain and a pressure washer is used.
• Save Water Signage Requirement: Businesses and institutions must display provided signage encouraging conservation and reporting of water waste. Contact staff for free signs: Call Shelley Flock, 831-475-8501, ext. 156, or email shelleyf@soquelcreekwater.org

Soquel Creek Water District has been in Stage 3 since 2014 due to the community’s long-term groundwater supply shortage and the threat of seawater intrusion to our water supply.

Our conservation goal in 2021 and early 2022 is to collectively use 25% less water than our expected highest usage of 2,900 acre-feet per year. To achieve this goal, district staff encourages an efficient residential water use of 50 gallons per person per day or less.

More information about the water shortage declaration can be found in the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan.

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Editor’s note: Residents in Soquel Creek Water District, share your water efficiency tips with your neighbors and email them to Jondi Gumz at info@cyber-times.com by noon Friday, July 23 for the Aug. 1 issue.