A visibly low water level is present in this aerial view of Enterprise Bridge in Butte County. Photo taken 28 October, 2021.
Andrew Innerarity/California Department of Water Resources
FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, Triunfo Water & Sanitation District, and Calleguas Municipal Water District jointly request immediate water conservation action from all customers as the region faces worsening water supply challenges amid deepening drought conditions.

The California Department of Water Resources announced a 0% initial allocation from the State Water Project for the upcoming year. The December 1 announcement comes amid worsening drought conditions throughout the state. California has experienced two consecutive dry water years, and La Niña indicates that dry conditions may persist throughout winter and spring for the entire Southwest U.S.

With limited to no local sources of water, the three districts depend heavily on imported water from the State Water Project purchased through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Prior to the December 1 announcement, the California Department of Water Resources signaled to water agencies throughout California to prepare for a 0% initial allocation from the SWP later this year. A 0% allocation means available water supplies will be prioritized to satisfy the health and safety needs of residents and businesses, but not for typical outdoor irrigation usage. Las Virgenes, Triunfo, and Calleguas Water Districts call on all customers to kick their water conservation actions into high gear.

This can be accomplished most efficiently outdoors, where up to 70% of all residential water use occurs. Replacing thirsty turf with drought-tolerant landscaping, installing efficient drip irrigation systems, checking for leaks, and replacing old watering timers with smart irrigation controllers can provide significant water and money savings.

For a complete list of water conservation guidelines and stage-level descriptions, click here.