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The State Water Resources Control Board announced that urban Californians’ monthly water conservation was 18.3 percent in September, up from 17.5 percent in August but below the 26.2 percent savings in September 2015, when state-mandated conservation targets were in place.
The State Water Board stressed the need for continued conservation as California heads into a possible sixth drought year.
The cumulative statewide savings from June 2015 through September 2016 was 23 percent, compared with the same months in 2013. Since June 2015, 2.15 million acre-feet of water has been saved – enough water to supply more than 10 million people, or more than one-quarter the state’s 38 million
population, for a year.
Although October storms in Northern California provided an encouraging start to the 2016-2017 water year (Oct. 1, 2016 – Sept. 30, 2017), planning for the possibility of another dry winter is essential.
The State Water Board will continue to monitor conservation levels and water supply conditions, and staff will develop a proposal for extended emergency conservation regulations in January 2017. The proposal may include a return to state-mandated conservation if dry conditions prevail.
“I am glad to see the slide stop, and even reverse a bit overall, especially as we move into traditionally lower water-use months when we would expect percentages to drop significantly,” said State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus. “Overall, we’re happy to see millions of Californians and many water agencies continue significant conservation. Conversely, we're concerned to see some agencies return to using hundreds of gallons per person per day while saving little. Whether it’s because we know we don’t know what the weather will bring this season, or because it is just the smart thing to do, we need to keep conserving.”
“The early rains are very welcome, and we’ll take every drop we can safely handle. But just because we're ahead in the early innings doesn't mean that we've won the game,” Chair Marcus said. “Considering that the majority of precipitation typically occurs between January and April in any given water year, we have a long way to go before we know whether we’ll make another significant dent in the drought.”
Conservation data
• Statewide water savings for September 2016 was 18.3 percent (116,703 acre feet or 38.0 billion gallons), an increase from August 2016’s 17.5 percent savings, but a decrease from September 2015’s 26.2 percent statewide savings (55.9 billion gallons). September 2016 water savings are 32 percent lower than September 2015.
• Cumulative statewide water savings for June 2015 to September 2016 (16 months) was 23.0 percent, compared with the same months in 2013. That equates to 2,145,241 acre-feet (699 billion gallons).
• Statewide average per person water use for September 2016 was 105.9 residential gallons per capita per day (R-GPCD), below the 113.7 R-GPCD in August 2016 but above 96.9 R-GPCD reported for September 2015.
Conservation levels have remained significant for many communities that had certified that they did not need state-imposed mandates to keep conserving.
Under the board’s revised emergency water conservation regulations, urban water agencies have the ability to identify their own conservation standards based on a “stress test” of supply reliability.
Water suppliers had to document that they have sufficient supplies to withstand three years of continuous drought or take additional measures that include state-imposed mandatory conservation standards. The regulation is in effect through January 2017.
In September, more than a third of the suppliers that passed their stress test achieved conservation savings above 20 percent.
These 132 suppliers serve more than nine million people, and include Sacramento, California Water Service Company Bakersfield, Otay Water District, San Gabriel Valley Fontana Water Company, Cucamonga Valley Water District, Contra Costa Water District, Sweetwater Authority, Suburban Water Systems San Jose Hills, Garden Grove, Santa Margarita Water District and Pomona.
Additionally, many water suppliers showed September 2016 conservation levels above September 2015 levels, including California Water Service Company King City, Wasco, Westborough Water District, Santa Barbara, Blythe, La Habra, Goleta Water District, Coalinga and Benicia.
Conservation plunges for some suppliers
However, not all suppliers are sustaining significant conservation.
State Water Board staff continues to look at why conservation levels have dropped in these communities, and is particularly concerned about suppliers with extremely high levels of per-capita water use.
Suppliers with high R-GPCD levels and sharp reductions in conservation include San Juan Water District, Vaughn Water Company, Myoma Dunes Mutual Water Co., Valley Water Co., Folsom and LA County Waterworks District 29 (Malibu).
One question for the board is whether these suppliers need assistance to comply with SB 814(Hill), which takes effect Jan. 1, 2017.
The new law requires urban water suppliers to establish financial penalties for excess water use during droughts. Suppliers can either create excess use ordinances with defined penalty amounts, or they can adopt rate structures that charge their highest users more during drought emergencies.
Some communities continue to maintain low overall per capita residential water use, which may not be reflected in percentage change, but illustrates a long-term commitment to efficient water use.
For instance, Eureka, city of Big Bear Lake, Estero Municipal Improvement District, Arcata,Daly City, South Gate, Paramount and McKinleyville Community Service District are examples of communities saving less than 10 percent in September 2016, yet the daily per capita use isalready well below what a city in the Sacramento Region may be using on a daily basis.
The current conservation regulation, adopted in May, is part of a wider effort to build on short-term, emergency water restrictions to establish permanent conservation measures that improve long-term drought preparedness and eliminate the worst water-wasting practices. These actions will help achieve a top priority of the state’s Water Action Plan – to “Make Conservation a California Way of Life.”
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Kelseyville Presbyterian Church will hold a “shovunda” sale, on Saturday, Nov. 12.
The sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Fireside Room at the church, 5340 Third St.
Donations of gently used winter clothing, Christmas decorations and items suitable for gift giving are needed – you know, those things you shove under a bed or into a closet.
Come shop that day from and find some great gift shopping ideas.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Services announced that the Eastlake Landfill and the Public Services office in Lakeport will be closed on Friday, Nov. 11, in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.
The landfill will reopen Saturday, Nov. 12. The Public Services office will reopen Monday, Nov. 14.
Normal operating hours at the landfill are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The Public Services office is normally open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you have any questions regarding this subject or any of the solid waste issues in Lake County, please call 707-262-1760.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Joyce Anderson, president of Lake County Division 35 of the California Retired Teachers Association, announced that the organization’s quarterly meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
This luncheon meeting will be at the Riviera Hills Restaurant, 10200 Fairway Drive, Kelseyville.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. A business meeting will be called to order at 10 a.m. to be followed by this month’s program.
The two-part program will include music by Don and Saro Deacon and a silent auction to benefit the Division’s Scholarship Program. Attendees are asked to bring an item for the silent auction.
The Deacons are a local married couple who have performed at a variety of venues and events. They sing a mix of folk-rock-type songs with a few Celtic tunes as well. Don Deacon plays guitar and Saro Deacon plays Celtic harp.
The scholarship program awards $1,000 scholarships to local community college students who plan to pursue a career in education.
Donations to the scholarship fund are welcome and can be made by contacting the scholarship chairperson, Dick Bode, at 707-263-5892 or
All CalRTA members are invited to attend as well as recently retired teachers, family members or other interested individuals.
This is an opportunity to learn how the California Retired Teachers Association is working to protect the retirement and pensions of California teachers.
In addition the Lake County Chapter provides scholarships to students, grants to local teachers and supports education in Lake County in numerous other ways.
At the conclusion of the program, lunch will be served. The menu consists of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, salad and dessert. Beverages are included. The cost of lunch is $15 including tax and gratuity.
Reservations may be made by calling Julie at 707-279-2625. Transportation can be arranged for those in need by contacting Julie at the above number.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – First 5 California, together with First 5 Lake County, announces the First 5 California Express will be visiting Lake County on Tuesday, Nov. 15.
The visit will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College, 15880 Dam Road Extension in Clearlake.
The First 5 Express is a statewide tour aimed at educating and entertaining families on the importance of talking, reading and singing in everyday life and its powerful impact on a child’s early brain development.
The First 5 Express features activities that provide parents with tips on ways to keep their children engaged through talking, reading, and singing.
Participants have the opportunity to explore hands-on activities, including First 5 Express staff-led story time sessions, a child-friendly library, an interactive karaoke booth, and nursery rhyme spin wheel.
“The first three years of life are particularly critical for mental stimulation through talking, reading, and singing, which helps billions of neurons inside the brain make strong connections that last a lifetime,” said First 5 California Executive Director Camille Maben. “Partnering with First 5 Lake County through the First 5 Express provides us with a great opportunity to reach local families and teach them about the importance of these types of verbal interactions, and help set their children on a life trajectory for success.”
Children and families who participate in the express activities are given free prizes that encourage them to continue the healthy behaviors at home, including a storybook, toy musical instrument, and activity book. Parents and caregivers also have the opportunity to receive more educational tools, like brain development brochures, tip sheets, Kits for New Parents, and other available resources.
“The First 5 Express is a chance for us to connect with parents one-on-one to provide important health information and resources while kids are engaged in educational activities,” said Vicki Hays, First 5 Lake County staff. “We want to ensure that parents have the tools and local resources they need to raise healthy children who are ready to learn.”
The First 5 Express is a bilingual children’s activity center that travels across California to inspire families with children ages 5 and younger to make healthy choices and understand the importance of a child’s earliest years.
The First 5 Express travels across California to a variety of events including large county fairs, community gatherings, public libraries, preschools and community centers.
The 2016-2107 tour period, which began in August, is scheduled to run through June 4, 2017, and plans to visit more than 100 events during this time.
For more information about the First 5 Express visit http://first5california.com/express .
For more information about First 5 California visit www.ccfc.ca.gov . For more information about First 5 Lake County visit www.firstfivelake.org .
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A man died on Monday after his pickup went off of Highway 29 near Lakeport and overturned.
The man was identified as 35-year-old Michael Valente Kallay, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Brooks said Kallay was reported to have been living in Richmond but also had a Clearlake address.
The California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office said the crash that claimed Kallay's life occurred on Monday when conditions were rainy and overcast, but the time of it was unknown.
The CHP said Kallay was driving a 2001 Ford Ranger northbound on Highway 29 north of Lakeport Boulevard at an undetermined speed when, for unknown reasons, he allowed the pickup to leave the roadway and travel across the highway's paved shoulder.
The pickup continued off the right paved shoulder and went down a steep dirt embankment where it rolled over multiple times, the CHP said.
Kallay was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the wreck and sustained fatal injuries, according to the CHP's Tuesday report.
The pickup came to rest in an area that was not visible from Highway 29, the CHP said.
The CHP said that at approximately 11:44 a.m. Monday, workers at a nearby business establishment observed the pickup and called 911.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing and is being led by Officer Greg Buchholz.
Anyone with information about the wreck is asked to call the CHP's Clear Lake Area office at 707-279-0103.
Email Elizabeth Larson at