The Sacramento County Water Agency is urging all customers to immediately cut water consumption 10 percent, due to a reduction in surface water supplies from the American River.
If customers don't achieve the 10 percent request, the agency could call for stricter measures, such as limiting landscape watering to designated days.
The agency normally gets about 10 percent of its supply from the river via Folsom Lake.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation recently notified the agency, however, that this supply will be reduced 25 percent due to the drought.
Because the agency had already consumed much of its allocation due to high customer demand, the result is a total halt in river deliveries.
It is now relying entirely on groundwater for the remainder of the year, said Herb Niederberger, water agency division chief.
The agency serves about 60,000 customers between Rancho Cordova and Elk Grove.
The agency is asking them to voluntarily reduce consumption 10 percent through September, especially during peak-demand hours of 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Conservation measures include asking customers to:
• Reduce irrigation timers by 10 minutes per cycle.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
• Turn off the tap when brushing teeth.
• Use a self-closing nozzle for car washing.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways, decks and sidewalks.
"More than likely, we'll be able to make it through this year," said Niederberger. "We're hoping voluntary efforts will achieve our desired goals."
The water agency has stepped up water-waster patrols, citing customers who abuse their supply.
Customers may request a free water audit by calling the agency at (916) 772-2226.
Call The Bee's Matt Weiser, (916) 321-1264.
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