Water Everywhere: But Not a Drop to Drink
March 2009 | Herschel Price, Grand Avenue

Water rationing in Del Mar? How could that be? It could happen by July 1st if not sooner due to the worsening dry-weather conditions throughout the Sierras and the entire state of California. Combined with the court-imposed restrictions on the flow of much needed water from the Bay Delta to southern California and the depleted levels of water in most state reservoirs, there may not be enough water to serve the needs of our businesses, farms and residents everywhere across the state. We are in the ninth year of drought but most of us pay very little attention to it because the water has always been there when we turn on the tap or water our gardens. That way of thinking is about to change because of predictions by the Department of Water Resources that rationing will commence in the very near future unless the Sierra snowpack increases dramatically over the next two months.

We need to start doing a better job of conserving water right now. This has to be a community effort and we must take it seriously. What can we do? Do you know that sixty percent of water used in our homes is to water our landscapes and gardens? Just reducing your outdoor watering to two days a week, watering during the nighttime hours and reducing the number of minutes for each station by one or two minutes can make a real difference in your monthly cost of water.

Speaking of cost, due to the increased cost of finding and transporting water during this drought, the cost of water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) to the San Diego County Water Authority (the source of Del Mar’s raw water supply) is expected to rise by thirty-five percent starting January 1, 2010. The City of Del Mar is currently undertaking the development of a five-year schedule of water and sewer rates, including both a normal and drought rate structure in the event mandatory cutbacks are required.

We all need to do our part to help conserve water. Take a moment to visit www.bewaterwise.com and www.sdcwa.org to learn more about what you can do to reduce your water use. With just a little effort and attention to how we use water, we can help make the difference that will perhaps prevent the rationing of water in Del Mar.