Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation for DWR personnel of significant news articles and comment
June 19, 2008
1. Top Items -
Bee Exclusive: Capital gushes wasted water
Metropolitan region's per-capita use tops U.S.
Sacramento
Water use cuts fall short of goals in East Bay
San Francisco Chronicle
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Bee Exclusive: Capital gushes wasted water
Metropolitan region's per-capita use tops U.S.
Sacramento
By Matt Weiser, staff writer
The
Throughout
No concentration of residents and businesses, however, uses as much as
Even excluding large industrial and agricultural users, the Bee's review of an array of water statistics found per-capita consumption here is greater than the
Experts said the high rate of water consumption leaves
In progress reports obtained by The Bee, only one of the capital region's urban water agencies reported progress on all 16 conservation goals they promised to meet in a 2000 agreement. None completed every task, and collectively they fulfilled only about half the goals they agreed to meet by the end of 2006.
The 16 conservation tasks agreed to by members of the Sacramento Water Forum came from a truce between water agencies and environmental groups.
Environmentalists agreed not to fight planned
The promises included water audits of homes and businesses, landscape standards for commercial development, water meters and low-flow toilets, public education and other programs.
Specific conservation target numbers were not included, and no penalties were put in place.
The findings call into question Schwarzenegger's reliance on local water agencies to voluntarily achieve his 20 percent conservation goal. The governor this month declared a statewide drought – the first time since 1991 – but with no immediate conservation orders.
The conservation data also conflict with
"Are people making the best effort? Some of them definitely have some catching up to do," said Tom Gohring, executive director of the Sacramento Water Forum, a consortium of water agencies. "I'd really love it if people who talk about sustainability would talk about the same thing in regard to water conservation."
Rivers pay a price
The cost in water volume of this neglect is hard to quantify.
But in one example that can be measured, the 15 Sacramento-area agencies collectively failed to install, via rebate programs, 26,214 low-flow toilets in commercial and industrial buildings (there was no residential goal).
Estimating conservatively, if each toilet saved 2 gallons per flush and was flushed twice a day, the region could have saved 118 acre-feet of water annually. That's enough to serve 240 average homes for a year, or to flood
"The impacts of the drought are going to be worse than they would have been if we had improved our efficiency more over the last decade," said Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute, an Oakland think tank. "There would be more water in our reservoirs, and demand would be lower. I think it's sad."
The consequences are particularly relevant this year, amid collapse of the
Habitat for salmon, steelhead and other fish – as well as recreation – would improve if
It also would alleviate an ecosystem collapse in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, where nine fish species are declining.
Instead, several Sacramento-area water districts are laying plans to divert more river flows to keep up with demand. Environmentalists are unhappy that conservation has been neglected.#
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1024692.html
Water use cuts fall short of goals in East Bay
San Francisco Chronicle – 6/19/08
By Kelly Zito, staff writer
Gus Kriletich's backyard has roasted to paper-bag brown.
The property, which sits in a quiet hillside neighborhood in
"My grandchildren used to love to come over here and run around in the sprinklers," said Kriletich. "Not anymore."
The East Bay Municipal Utility District in mid-May ordered its 1.3 million customers to slash water use by 15 percent overall to protect a fast-dropping water supply hammered by two years of below-average rainfall and the driest spring on record. Gus and Clare Kriletich took the emergency measure to heart, saving water "scraps" from washing vegetables and from waiting for hot shower water. They only run full loads of laundry and are considering planting native species that tolerate heat and dry weather.
But less than a month before new drought rates are supposed to go into effect, few are following suit. Water use across the district, which includes parts of
"Water consumption is related to the weather outside. ... If we get more hot spells, I wouldn't be surprised if we fell short of our goal," said Eileen White, water department manager at EBMUD.
Officials blame record-breaking heat in May for curbing conservation. Conditions over the next few months will prove crucial as the district phases in higher fees and tougher enforcement - all while keeping a sharp eye on reservoir levels.
Single-family homeowners are being asked to cut use by 19 percent; golf courses by 30 percent; refineries and power plants by 5 percent. In addition, the district prohibited washing down sidewalks, using drinking water for decorative fountains, or washing cars with nozzle-less hoses. In making the announcement before summer,
So far, the district has received a flood of phone calls from consumers asking how to save. Along streets in tidy neighborhoods, brown lawns now intermix with green - a sure sign some are taking the water shortage seriously.
"The yard has always been my hobby. I love the smell of dirt on my hands," Kriletich said. These days, the 82-year-old retiree tests sprinkler heads, pores over old water bills and records his daily use by hand on note cards.
Right now, the total usually hits 300 gallons of water per day - a large amount for two people. By the district's calculation, the Kriletiches should cut their water total usage to about 240 gallons.
Kriletich, who has had heart surgery, likens their efforts to save water to those who donate blood.
"It's essential for life," he said. "I'm not going to take so much water for my yard to make it look pretty. That's not the point anymore. People in hospitals need this water more than me."
Setting new rates
The proposed drought fees entail up to a 10 percent rate increase on water use, in addition to a surcharge of up to $2 for every unit above a user's allotment (a unit is 748 gallons). However, the district points out that those who conserve won't see an increase in their bills. For example, a family that historically uses 270 gallons each day currently pays $33.07 per month. If they dropped to 243 gallons each day, their bill would fall to $32.76. If they continued using 270 gallons, the bill would go up to $37.25.
From an enforcement point of view, the district said it will track each customer category. Those who fail to meet goals or exceed their historical use will likely receive letters, calls and visits.
Some customers, however, doubt the system will work.
Sandra Turnbull, her husband and two children use just 112 gallons of water each day - down from 120 gallons earlier this year. In addition to having water-smart appliances and heat-proof plants, Turnbull herself takes fewer showers each week. By basing her family's water allotment on past use, the district's mandate orders the Turnbulls to use 100 gallons - a paltry 25 gallons per person, Turnbull says. A family using 400 gallons a day is still allowed more than 300 gallons.
"Anyone who's been saving is penalized because their level is based on a significantly lower point," Turnbull said.
What's more, many EBMUD customers simply may choose to pay higher water bills.
"We're being very careful, but I'm worried about the people who have means and don't care what it costs - (the extra charges) aren't even a Starbuck's cup of coffee," she said.
Hoping customers comply
The
"In the historical droughts we've seen around the state, they typically come in cycles, two or three years, even four or five," said Richard Harris, water conservation manager at EBMUD. "Each year we have to try and stretch the supply, so the hurt, the stick, is less onerous."
If the district doesn't meet its goals and this winter proves dry, restrictions will get tighter and enforcement could involve citations.
"Water agencies have used their authority ... to flow-restrict their customers," Harris said. "But we're not there and we're not proposing to go there. ... I'm hopeful we'll meet the goals."
Water-saving tips
Inside
Replace older toilets with high-efficiency toilets
For older toilets, use displacement bags, toilet dams or adjustable flappers to save water.
Install water-efficient shower heads that use no more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute.
Low-flow aerators in faucets can reduce water use and splashing.
While waiting for water to get warm or cool, put a jug under the faucet for use in other parts of the house.
Turn off the tap when brushing teeth; rinse using a cup.
When showering and washing hands, wet body, turn off water, apply soap then turn on water to rinse.
Fill the sink or a bowl with water to wash fruits and vegetables.
Keep a container of water in the refrigerator rather than running tap water for a cool drink.
Outside
Water less frequently, but more deeply.
Adjust irrigation controller according to the season - new controllers can adjust for actual weather conditions.
Check irrigation systems for leaks.
Opt for drip irrigation, which applies water more efficiently.
Select plants adapted to Mediterranean climates.
Group plants according to water needs.
Apply mulch to gardens; it helps maintain moisture in the soil.
Do not irrigate in the middle of the day; water tends to evaporate.
Source: East Bay Municipal Utility District; Chronicle research #
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/19/BAFT11A1ST.DTL
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