After a water year that saw just 60% of average rainfall, the Scotts Valley Water District is asking residents to voluntarily conserve water.
Customers are encouraged to reduce water use by around 10% under the Stage 1 Water Supply Condition – an early warning stage aimed at avoiding greater restrictions later.
Rainfall for the most recent year totaled 24.6 inches, about 60% of the historical average, the agency said in a news release this week. That’s below the 80% threshold that triggers a Stage 1 response under the district’s water shortage contingency plan. While the city’s main groundwater source, the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin, remains stable, officials cited climate uncertainty and longtime demand as reasons to stay vigilant.
There are no mandatory restrictions in place, but residents are encouraged to conserve by limiting outdoor irrigation to two days a week, watering in the early morning or evening and using rebates the district offers for water-saving upgrades.
Residents can sign up for WaterSmart alerts and report water waste on the district’s website.
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