“Tales from the Drought” August 24, 2016

West Kern Water District Source of supply: State Water Project (Contract = 31,500af) Average Demands = 22,000 af Banked Supplies = 200,000 af Demands distribution: – Power Plants (3 gigawatts) = 11,000 af – Oil and Gas Production = 8,000 af – West Side Communities = 3,000 af

Drought Timeline

Critically Dry: – 3 rd year – 20% voluntary conservation – Water Shortage Contingency Plans – Nights, Nozzles and Brooms

Drought Timeline Critically Dry: – 4 th year – 25% Mandatory Conservation

What did we learn? California's can conserve: – 24% Conservation in ‘15-’16 – 1.75 million acre-feet of conserved water

What did we learn?

One size fits all has its flaws: – Climate – Turf safety – Evaporative coolers – Population growth

What did we learn? Drought resiliency doesn’t pay.

What did we learn? Enlargement of State Government: – The Water Conservation Act of 2009 (reflecting back on SBX7 and 20% by 2020) – Extraordinary conservation vs. Conservation as way of life – Reasonable Use Doctrine: “Overbuilding supply” “The right to turf”

What did we learn? Conservation vs. Water Use Efficiency Water became “mainstream” news topic

What did we learn?

You have to work the regulatory process – Comment letters – Testimony at hearings – Develop coalitions – Use the media A case study: – How do you conserve 28% when only 13% of your water goes to residential and commercial? – Agricultural and Industrial exemption – Alternative (Arbitrary) Compliance – Qualitative vs. Quantitative

Moving forward………. The new Executive Order calls for water use efficiency improvements that include: Developing new urban water use targets that generate more water conservation than existing SBX7-7 requirements Reducing water loss (SB 555 mandate loss audits by October 2017). Improving urban Water Shortage Contingency Plans and reporting requirements New requirements for agricultural water suppliers