California Communities Could Run Out of Water in 60 to 120 Days

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
STATE OF EMERGENCY
WATER EMERGENCY
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Extreme Drought Conditions Plaguing California Threaten 17 Communities with Water Famine

The state of California, currently experiencing its worst drought on record, has identified 17 rural drinking water systems most at risk. They serve communities ranging from about 40 to 11,000 throughout the Golden State.

Some 3,000 community water systems with at least 15 service connections each provide water in California.

“As the severe drought continues, we’re working with impacted communities to identify alternative water sources and additional resources,”  said  California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

The announcement follows the Governor’s drought state of emergency proclaimed last week.

CDPH has identified the following communities whose drinking water systems are at greatest risk:

• Shaver Lake Heights Mutual Water Company (Fresno County)
• Sierra Cedars Community Services District (Fresno County)
• Bass Lake Water Company (Madera County)
• Whispering Pines Apts (Mariposa County)
• Boulder Canyon Water Association (Kern County)
• Cypress Canyon Water System (Kern County)
• Lake Of The Woods Mutual Water Company (Kern County)
• Camp Condor (Kern County)
• Jackson Valley Irrigation District (Amador County)
• City of Willits (Mendocino County)
• Redwood Valley Community Water District (Mendocino County)
• Brooktrail Township Community Services District (Mendocino County)
• Washington Ridge Conservation Camp (Nevada County)
• Ophir Gardens (Placer County)
• Lompico County Water District (Santa Cruz County)
• City of Cloverdale (Sonoma County)
• Healdsburg (Sonoma County)

Gov. Brown Declared Drought State of Emergency earlier this month amid worst dry conditions in 119 years

Brown had earlier described the drought as being “really serious,” adding that 2014 could be California’s third consecutive dry year. “In many ways it’s a mega-drought.”

California Drought

• 2013 was California’s driest year since records began 119 years ago.
• Many California reservoirs are at their lowest levels in years.
• The snow cover is less than 20 percent of the normal at this time of year.
• Lake Shasta, the state’s largest reservoir is holding just over a third of its full capacity,  down from the normal of more than a half at this time of year, according to officials.
• Sacramento City Council has voted to enact severe water rationing as the region is faced with historically low water levels on the American River with a long-range forecast showing little, if any, rain.

California Drought Monitor Map.  Source: The U.S. Drought Monitor, The National Drought Mitigation Center. The above map remained unchanged as of January 21, 2014 according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Related Links

• Drought Disaster Declared for Multiple Counties in Four States January 25, 2014

• California Declares Drought State of Emergency January 18, 2014
• California Governor to Declare Drought Emergency January 17, 2014
• High Fire Danger in Southern California amid Driest Conditions on Record January 17, 2014
• 520 Counties across 16 States Declared Crop Disaster Areas due to Drought January 16, 2014