ACWA Comments on Record-Low Snowpack Levels, Governor's Executive Order on Drought

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Apr 1, 2015) - Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) President John Coleman and Executive Director Timothy Quinn issued the following statement on the record-low Sierra snowpack and new actions announced by Gov. Jerry Brown to respond to the drought.

ACWA President John Coleman: "Today should be a wake-up call for those who haven't yet realized the severity of this drought. The all-important Sierra snowpack -- our state's largest natural reservoir -- is at historic low levels, which means there will be abysmally little runoff to replenish reservoirs and groundwater basins that are already straining under four consecutive dry years. The combination of dry conditions and record-warm temperatures has put us in an unprecedented drought that requires an extraordinary response.

"This severe drought calls for all hands on deck. We are one state, and we are all in this together. Local water agencies will respond with renewed urgency and provide leadership with aggressive outreach to customers and a range of programs to maximize supplies and keep as much water in reserve as possible in case the drought persists into 2016. ACWA stands ready to help in this critical endeavor. "

ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn: "The executive order issued by the governor today reflects the urgency of the drought and provides the stimulus needed to reduce water use statewide and streamline the state's response to drought. We thank the governor for his leadership, and look forward to working with the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the California Energy Commission and other agencies to determine the best ways to accomplish the goals of the executive order."

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 430 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com. ACWA partners with the California Department of Water Resources to help consumers reduce water use through Save Our Water, the state's largest water conservation education program. Visit www.saveourwater.com for details.