San Andreas, CA….The first three months of 2022 have been the driest on record for this time of year, and the drought now persists into its third year. Although it is early Spring, Calaveras Conserves is reminding all Calaveras County residents that we are still in and expect to continue with severe drought conditions. Calaveras Conserves is encouraging all Calaveras County residents to use water wisely to maximize supplies and protect our water reserves in the event of yet another dry year. State officials are continuing to call on all Californians to voluntarily reduce water consumption by 15% and residents should expect more stringent measures from the State in the coming months. Multiple Calaveras Conserves partnering agencies have adopted voluntary water conservation responses. The Calaveras Conserves webpage has the most up to date summary of how each partnering water agency in the County is responding to water shortages based on the water supply conditions within their service area.

Our community is fortunate to have access to adequate water supplies and stored water, including Spicer Meadow and Hogan Reservoirs. However, as responsible stewards of our watersheds, it is vital to do our part to address water shortage conditions during an extended, multi-year drought. The Calaveras County community can practice water efficiency year-round and make a difference by finding and fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, installing water efficient landscaping, and avoiding outdoor watering during the hottest part of the day.

The Calaveras Conserves water conservation partnership was formed in Spring, 2015 as an opportunity for agencies to provide a consistent outreach message to the community during droughts and to promote efficient water use practices. All major water agencies in Calaveras County are members including, Union Public Utility District, City of Angels, Blue Lake Springs Mutual Water Company, Utica Water and Power Authority, Calaveras Public Utility District, Calaveras County Water District and Valley Springs Public Utility District. As a partnership, these agencies are meeting regularly during the current drought with the goal of providing the most up to date water conservation information for customers throughout the County.

For more information regarding current water conditions and conservation efforts specific to your water district, please contact your local water agency. For additional information tips for water conservation, visit the Calaveras Conserves webpage at https://ccwd.org/calaveras-conserves or https://saveourwater.com.