Water Emergency Declared for California - Jan 17, 2014
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Jan. 17 proclaimed a state of emergency and directed state officials to take all necessary actions to prepare in the face of the driest year on record. - Jan 17, 2014
Responding to the driest year in recorded state history,
California Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Jan. 17 proclaimed a state of emergency
and directed state officials to take all necessary actions to prepare for the
drought conditions facing the state. State water officials said California's
river flows and reservoirs are below their record lows. In addition, the
snowpack's statewide water content is at about 20 percent of normal average for
this time of year.
"We can't make it rain, but we can be much better
prepared for the terrible consequences that California's drought now threatens,
including dramatically less water for our farms and communities and increased
fires in both urban and rural areas," Brown said."I've declared this
emergency and I'm calling all Californians to conserve water in every way
possible."
In the declaration, Brown directed state officials to assist
farmers and communities economically impacted by dry conditions and to ensure
the state can respond if Californians face drinking water shortages. He
directed state agencies to use less water, hire more firefighters, and he
initiated a greatly expanded water conservation public awareness campaign,
showcased at www.saveourh2o.org.
The declaration calls on local urban water suppliers and
municipalities to implement their local water shortage contingency plans
immediately and update their legally required urban and agricultural water
management plans, which help to plan for extended drought conditions. The
state's Department of Water Resources will make the status of these updates
publicly available.
In response, the California-Nevada Section of the American
Water Works Association called on its members in the drinking water community
to take all necessary actions to protect public health and safety.
"Governor Brown made the right decision," stated Bruce Macler, the
section's board chair. "These record dry conditions represent a threat to
public health, as well as the possibility of tremendous economic losses. We
understand the vulnerability of the small communities dependent on wells,
springs and streams that are going dry."
Section Executive Director Tim Worley offered suggestions
for cities and water districts looking for information and resources during the
drought. "I would hope that every water provider has dusted off the AWWA
'M-60' Manual of Practice on drought preparedness and response. If they have
taken the manual to heart, they will be far better off during this
emergency," he said. And he called on water conservation professionals
trained and certified by the section to help their customers meet Brown's call
for 20 percent water savings. "This is the moment for our certified Water
Use Efficiency Practitioners – over 400 throughout the state – to step forward
and lead the way," he said.
Source: http://eponline.com
Jan 17, 2014