Drought Waning but Conservation Important

It is easy to look out your window and feel a sense of relief from the drought conditions that have been plaguing our community. Above-average rainfall has brought Santa Barbara lush green hillsides and water flowing in creek beds that have been sitting relatively dry for years. The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor shows that much of California, including Santa Barbara County, is no longer experiencing drought conditions. While the immediate climate conditions have improved, water conservation remains important.

Water supply planning considers whether or not there are enough water supplies to meet demands for the next three years. The cumulative effect of the seven-year drought on the City’s water supplies has been extreme, and it will take several years for some water sources to fully recover. Below is a brief status update on the City’s water supplies:

• Gibraltar Reservoir: The City’s reservoir filled and spilled on January 17 and is currently full. Diversions from the reservoir have been limited due to water quality concerns as a result of the Thomas Fire.

• Groundwater: The City relies on groundwater more heavily during droughts when surface water supplies are limited. The City’s groundwater basins reached historically low levels in 2016. The City has been “resting” the groundwater basins to let them recover; however, it could take 5-10 years before the basins are completely replenished.

• Lake Cachuma: The reservoir is currently 75% full, but it is a shared resource with water stored belonging to other agencies, including downstream water rights. The annual water supply allocation from Cachuma is currently low, at 20% of normal maximum amount. While an increase in allocation from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is soon anticipated, no increase has occurred to date.

• State Water: The 2019 allocation from the State remains low at 35% of the maximum amount. This is likely to increase due to significant rainfall and snowpack received across the state this winter. However, the allocation has not yet increased.

• Desalination: The City’s desalination plant has been operating since the summer of 2017, providing nearly one-third of the City’s current water demands.

It is important to understand that while winter rainfall has improved our water situation, some of our water sources will take several years to fully recover. Your conservation efforts will help our groundwater basins to recharge and preserve surface water storage for use in future dry years. City staff are continuing to assess the supply situation, and it is anticipated that changes to the City’s current water shortage declaration will occur in April 2019, once more information is known regarding Cachuma and State Water allocations. In the meantime, the City continues to rely on the community’s excellent ongoing efforts to conserve water and protect our limited water supplies.

One added benefit of the rain? Give your sprinklers the winter off. Consistent rainfall will help your garden thrive and lower your water bill when you turn off your watering system. For more information on water supplies, drought, and water efficiency, visit www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Water.