Despite Rain, Residents Urged to Conserve Water
Southland water officials urged residents to turn off their sprinklers during today's rain storm and leave them off until the soil dries out, warning that one day of heavy rain will not cure California's three-year drought.
"We are happy for the mild rainfall relief we are receiving this week, but that doesn't mean the drought is over," said Harry Saltzgaver, president of the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners. "Residents and businesses still need to take necessary action to conserve as much water as possible to ensure a reliable water supply next year, including turning those sprinklers off."
The Long Beach board declared a Stage 1 Water Supply Shortage two weeks ago, restricting landscape watering to two days a week through March. The declaration also prevents restaurants from serving water to customers unless it is requested, bars residents from filling swimming pools or spas with potable water and bans car washing unless residents use a hose with a water shut-off nozzle.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power officials also urged customers to turn off their sprinklers, noting in a statement that the state "remains in a serious drought, and continued water conservation is important to help preserve precious drinking water supplies."
On Monday, the state Department of Water Resources announced that it will provide 10 percent of normal water supplies to farmers and cities next year. While low, the allocation will be an increase from this year, when the state provided 5 percent of normal supplies.
Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, said the Southland -- and the state -- is still mired in drought, and residents should still focus on conservation.
"This initial allocation is a reminder that it will take more than a few wet weekends to end California's three-year dry cycle," he said.
