On March 24, 2023, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-5-23 ending the State’s voluntary 15% water conservation target and the requirement that local water agencies implement level 2 of their drought contingency plans. At its meeting on April 24, 2023, the EID Board of Directors voted to rescind the District’s Stage 1 Water Alert and return to normal water supply conditions.

On June 28, 2021, the EID Board of Directors voted unanimously to declare a drought emergency and to authorize a Stage 1 Water Alert for all District service areas.

The Board reaffirmed Stage 1 Water Alert at the May 23, 2022 Board meeting.

On May 24, 2022, the State Water Board adopted a drought related emergency water conservation regulation. The regulation includes a prohibition against the irrigation of non-functional turf with potable water in the commercial, industrial, and institutional sector. This regulation also applies to homeowner associations, common interest developments, community service organizations,and other similar entities. It does not include residential customers.

The objective of a Stage 1 Water Alert is to initiate public awareness of a possible water shortage in the near future and to encourage water conservation.

“Small voluntary adjustments reducing water use, implemented early, can positively impact the District’s carryover water storage,” said EID General Manager Jim Abercrombie. “This is especially important should precipitation levels during the 2021/2022 fall and winter season remain low. During the last drought, our customers and community came together and achieved significant conservation—some of that conservation became permanent. The small, voluntary changes we make now will have a significant effect on our water supplies.”

Stage 1 actions target up to a 15 percent demand reduction compared to 2020 levels through the implementation of voluntary customer actions. Along with many staff actions centered on customer outreach, water waste, monitoring of demands and District water supplies, EID’s Drought Action Plan identifies the following voluntary measures focused on outdoor irrigation as a way to achieve water savings.

• Apply irrigation water during evening and early morning hours only (7 PM to 10 AM)
• Inspect irrigation system for leaks and then repair or replace
• Adjust sprinkler run times to avoid runoff

Documents and Tip Sheets:

• May 23, 2022 - EID Board Agenda Item Reaffirming Stage 1 Water Alert Requesting 15 Percent Voluntary Conservation
• State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Resolution 2022-0018 To Adopt An Emergency Regulation to Reduce Water Demand and Improve Water Conservation
• EID Drought Action Plan - Updated 2021
• 2020 Urban Water Management Plan
• 2022 Water Supply and Demand Report
• Tips to Save 15%  - Outdoor Water Usage
• Tips to Save 15% - Indoor Water Usage
• Help Your Trees Survive the Drought
• Water Waste Regulation 1041

 Other Agency Links:

• California Department of Water Resources - Drought
• National Integrated Drought Information System
• Save Our Water
• USGS - California Drought
• U.S. Drought Monitor Map