South Lake Tahoe water restrictions loosen slightly after wet winter

Over half of the state of California are in severe to exceptional drought conditions, but things are as bad as they were just a year ago when most of the Western United States were experiencing those same drought conditions.

On Monday, California Governor Brown issued an executive order that will make some of the temporary 2015 water restrictions permanent. Even though a wet and snowy winter gave temporary relief of some extreme drought conditions, California is not out of danger. Brown's order permanently bans practices deemed wasteful, such as hosing off sidewalks and driveways. Water suppliers will still have to document water usage and conservation on a monthly basis though they don't have to reduce usage by 25 percent as they had to last year.

"The water restrictions this summer will be changing, as compared to last year," said South Tahoe Public Utility District's water conservation specialist Donielle Morse. "The State Water Resources Control Board voted to require locally developed conservation standards based upon each agency’s specific circumstances. The South Lake Tahoe community’s water demand and the condition of the groundwater basin are such that there are several years of stored water supply available."

STPUD is required to certify that they have a three-year water supply assuming three more dry years like 2012 through 2015. "We appreciate the State Water Resources Control Board’s recognition that drought conditions have improved for many portions of the State, and we believe the move to a self-certification process is an appropriate action to take at this point in time," added Morse

The STPUD Board of Directors will be voting on a revision to the local water restrictions during their June 2 board meeting. Staff is recommending that the community return to normal water restrictions, which includes designated irrigation days as well as several end user requirements/prohibitions as detailed in their Water Conservation Ordinance.

According to Morse, some of the best recommendations they can offer to our customers are:

1. Fix those leaks! A running toilet can waste thousands of gallons of water each month
2. Closely monitor your landscape water use. Adjust your watering schedule often, according to the weather conditions.
3. If you need assistance reducing your indoor or outdoor water use, call STPUD to schedule a free Irrigation Efficiency Evaluation or a Free Water Wise House Call.