Water Shortage Planning & Response
The Urban Water Management Planning Act requires that each water supplier provide a Water Shortage Contingency Plan that outlines how the supplier will prepare for and respond to water shortages. Below are the six stages of action per the Department of Water Resources as well as Calaveras County Water District’s stages of response based on water supply conditions within the District’s service area.
Stages of Action
The Water Shortage Contingency Plan provides five stages of response based on water supply conditions due to water supply conditions within the service area. The initial Advisory Stage, set at 10 percent reduction, is a voluntary stage to preserve water in the early stages of a potential shortage. The four mandatory conservation levels are designated to respond to increasingly severe supply shortages. The table below highlights each stage, the respective percent supply reduction, and the water supply reduction.
| Stage | Percent Supply Reduction | Water Supply Condition |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Advisory Stage (Voluntary Conservation) | Up to 10% | The District is generally still able to meet the water demands of its customers in all service areas. |
| 2: Alert Stage (Mandatory Conservation) | Up to 20% | Consumption must be reduced by at least 20% for the District to meet the water demands of it's customers. Conservation mandates are applied consistently across service areas regardless of localized conditions. |
| 3: Moderate Stage (Mandatory Conservation) | Up to 30% | Consumption must be reduced by at least 30% for the District to meet the water demands of it's customers. Conservation mandates are applied consistently across service areas regardless of localized conditions. |
| 4: Significant Stage (Mandatory Conservation) | Up to 40% | Consumption must be reduced by 40% for the District to meet the water demands of its customers. Conservation mandates are applied consistently across service areas regardless of localized conditions. |
| 5: Critical Stage (Mandatory Conservation) | Up to 50% | Consumption must be reduced by 50% for the District to meet the water demands of its customers. Conservation mandates are applied consistently across service areas regardless of localized conditions. |
| 6: Emergency Stage (Mandatory Conservation) | More than 50% | Stage 6 indicates a catastrophic supply interruption. |
CCWD Water Shortage Response Stages
CCWD is currently under STAGE 2: Alert water shortage response stage. This is a mandatory conservation stage. CCWD is encouraging the public to use water wisely and comply with state official recommendations to aim for a mandatory water use reduction of 20 percent.
Identify and repair transmission and distribution system leaks to reduce water losses.
Provide rebates on plumbing fixtures and devices, offer other incentives and conservation tools.
Provide customers with a wide variety of free conservation supplies.
Extend public information campaign.
Limit use of potable water for cleaning driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and streets except when necessary, to alleviate health and safety hazards.
Any use of potable water that results in excessive runoff from the property and/or gutter flooding is prohibited.
All new conveyor car wash and commercial laundry systems are prohibited from having non-recirculating washing systems.
All new water connections are prohibited from having single-pass cooling systems.
Require automatic shut-off hoses.
Require covers for any new pools and spas.
Inspect all irrigation systems, repair leaks and adjust spray heads to provide optimum coverage and eliminate avoidable overspray.
Irrigating outdoors during, and within 48 hours after, measurable rainfall is prohibited.
Encourage conservation through public outreach (local media, billing statements, direct mailings).
Use of water for cleaning driveways, walkways, parking lots and streets is discouraged, except to alleviate immediate safety or sanitation hazards.
Request that landscape watering is avoided during the hottest portion of the day.
Customers should take responsive actions to establish appropriate run-times for landscape irrigation to eliminate excessive water runoff extending beyond the customer property.
Irrigation is prohibited between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
All leaks, breaks, or other malfunctions shall be repaired within 72 hours of being notified by the District.
Use of water for cleaning driveways, walkways, parking lots and streets is prohibited, except to alleviate immediate safety or sanitation hazards.
Restaurants may only serve water upon request.
Lodging establishment must offer opt out of linen service.
Customers must take actions to establish appropriate run-times for landscape irrigation to eliminate excessive water runoff extending beyond the customer property.
All of the above restrictions in addition to the following:
Discontinue non-essential flushing of mains and hydrants.
Potable water shall not be used for construction or dust control if recycled or raw water is reasonably available.
Request that local fire departments limit training exercises that use potable water and cease hydrant testing.
Prohibit filling new or existing pools.
Prohibit operation of water displays or features such as decorative water fountains and recreational ponds.
Golf course irrigation will be restricted to greens and trees if raw water is sole source.
Limit landscape irrigation to three days per week.
All of the above restrictions in addition to the following:
Limit landscape irrigation to two days per week.
All of the above items in addition to the following:
Limit landscape irrigation to one day per week.
Discontinue line flushing.
New water service applications will be granted upon the condition that water shall be used only for interior purposes and landscaping shall be delayed until the District determines that Level 5 rationing levels or above are no longer needed.
All of the above items in addition to the following:
Golf courses are limited to the use of treated effluent or private well water sources for irrigation.
Prohibit all landscape irrigation.