June 15, 2022 – To strengthen conservation efforts and promote the long-term sustainability of water supplies, Rowland Water District adopted new measures to reduce water use by 20 percent.

The Board of Directors declared a Level 2 Water Supply Shortage during its regular meeting on June 14. The action was a response to an emergency order by the State Water Resources Control Board triggered by the third year of a historically intense drought.

While Rowland Water District has adequate supplies to meet customers’ needs, the declaration imposes several measures designed to preserve and prolong supply. The District relies almost entirely on imported water from Northern California and the Colorado River and those supplies have been hardest hit in the drought.

The most notable change for RWD customers is the limit on outside watering to two days per week, on Mondays and Fridays. Customers are also required to repair leaks within 48 hours of discovery and can only wash cars, boats or other motor vehicles if using a bucket or hose with a self-closing nozzle.

“Many of our customers are already taking steps to conserve water, and we appreciate and applaud those efforts,” RWD General Manager Tom Coleman said. “We must all continue to be as efficient with water as possible.”

Customers are being asked to reduce water use by 20 percent compared to the same billing period last year. Drought rates take effect in Level 2, increasing the price of water in each tier; the rates vary by pumping zone.

The Level 2 Water Supply Shortage is detailed in the District’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan. The plan includes six levels of escalating conservation measures corresponding to the severity of shortage conditions. The plan can be viewed online at rwd.org.