Cities Brace for Water Rationing

Three-minute showers and brown lawns may be in our future as the Sonoma County Water Agency announced Feb. 2 that mandatory water rationing will be announced "in a matter of weeks."

"We need to prepare for the worst and hope for the best," said Paul Kelley, chairman of the Board of Supervisors. He called on water contractors to begin preparing for a 30-percent rationing order for the 750,000 customers in Sonoma, Marin and Mendocino counties. A 50-percent reduction may come in the next few months unless there is a dramatic increase in rainfall.

Addressing media at a special press conference held alongside the much-diminished Russian River at Memorial Beach in Healdsburg, Kelley urged everyone who relies on the Russian River for even a portion of their water to start conserving today. This includes the City of Sonoma and Valley of the Moon Water District.

Kelley said the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors will take quick action to provide a loan program for residents and businesses who want to install energy and water-saving devices like low flush toilets and tank-less water heaters. The program will allow the "loans" to be paid back through property taxes over a 20-year period  and the repayment would stay on the tax bill until paid, even if the property changes hands.

"We need to manage our resources for the climate we're in today," he said. "We want to send a message to our water users to start thinking about our water supply and how we use it."

While emphasizing the impact of water shortages on people, agriculture and fish (salmon need water to spawn), Kelley did not call for mandatory rationing but cautioned that it is most likely going to occur.

"As far as I am aware, we have not been given a specific written order to do anything yet, so we don' know what level of restriction to plan for," said Sonoma City Manager Linda Kelly. "Once we receive that, we will have a better understanding of how to focus our efforts."

Krishna Kumar, general manager of the Valley of the Moon Water District, echoed Kelly's comments.

"Every water provider is required by law to have an emergency plan in the event of a shortage," he said. "But it is up to the local agency to determine when to enact it, and so far, we have not been given a date or a number."

He said the most likely time for reductions to retail customers is June through October. His board will be discussing the likelihood of mandatory reductions and their impact on  customers at their March board meeting.

The City of Sonoma is also being proactive and is educating the public on steps they can take to reduce water consumption. It is encouraging people to attend the Water Wisdom Fair on Feb. 21 at the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building. A new Water Conservation Ordinance will be presented to the City Council on Feb. 18.

Both the city and the water district rely on flows from the Sonoma County Water Agency for a large portion of their water. The water agency stores water in Lake Pillsbury, Lake Mendocino, and Lake Sonoma, which are experiencing historic low levels. Pam Jeane, deputy chief engineer of the water agency, said water flows from the reservoirs have already been decreased and will be re-evaluated March 1.

"Lake Mendocino is the one we're really concerned about," said Jeane. "Even with seven more inches of rain, it could go dry in the summer unless we start conserving."

A prolonged drought not only impacts people, but also agriculture. Duff Bevill and Pete Opatz, representing the wine-grape industry at the Feb. 2 conference, said growers will be asked to take out cover crops to reduce water usage and to implement best management practices for conservation. "We've faced droughts before and survived and we can do it again," said Bevill.

The situation is more serious for farmers in the Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District. Sean White, general manager, said his customers rely on Lake Mendocino and when there is a shortage, agriculture is turned off first.

"In a matter of days we may be forced to shut off water to Redwood Valley farmers. This could have a devastating effect on our economy."

Dr. Robert Eyler, Sonoma State University economist, addressed the possible long-term economic impacts of a water shortage on the region. Last year he was asked to do some "what if" modeling for the North Bay Leadership Council and found that a 30 percent water shortage would mean the loss of 30,000 jobs and a $5 billion contraction in the economies of Marin and Sonoma counties. Most affected would be wineries, construction and restaurants - businesses that are already suffering from the economic downturn.

He said opportunities to create new industries that grow out of the conservation effort could have a mitigating impact. But if rationing grows beyond 30 percent there would be widespread economic damage.

Wendy Petersen, executive director of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau, said her agency is aware of the grim effects of a water shortage and has been working with member businesses to encourage them to access information that saves energy and water.

"Five properties representing 200 rooms are now using the linen-card program to conserve water," she said.

The linen card gives guests the choice of replacing linens daily, or not. The visitors bureau has also worked in cooperation with the Economic Development Partnership to expose members to other conservation techniques through workshops and panel discussions, something that is likely to continue.

Sonoma Mayor Ken Brown agrees that public education will be key.

 "Even if rationing becomes necessary, people in Sonoma will meet the challenge," said  Brown. "I've never known this community to shrug off a crisis. Instead, we will band together and find creative ways to manage our resources."