Sonoma County residents keep pace with rest of state in water savings

By and large, Californians last month exceeded the statewide goal to slash water use by 25 percent, and all but one of Sonoma County’s urban water suppliers met their targets.

The exception, Santa Rosa, claims its own calculations showed a savings of 30 percent for the month - compared with same period in 2013. The city’s mandated target is 16 percent. The state says Santa Rosa cut use by just 12 percent.

“Our customers have always stepped up when we have asked, and they continue to implement conservation measures,” said Jennifer Burke, deputy director of water and engineering resources.

Still, per-capita figures showed Santa Rosans used almost 20 gallons a day more than they did a month earlier, a spike reflecting the onset of warm summer weather, Burke said. Other local cities and suppliers saw June water use surge, but none more so than Santa Rosa, which at nearly 80 gallons per person per day during the month saw its use nearly match the city’s 83.4 gallon baseline from 2013. The city’s per-capita water usage still remained below that of other local cities, including Sonoma and Healdsburg.

“I think it’s just a function of summer and outdoor irrigation,” Burke said. “We’re continuing to put the word out to our customers. We’re continuing to encourage them to reduce water use.”

Overall, Californians last month cut their consumption by 27.3 percent compared to June 2013, saving 59.4 billion gallons of water, according to the State Water Resources Control Board.

“This is significant, especially in light of the fact that June was really hot,” State Water Board Chairwoman Felicia Marcus told reporters in a media conference call. “… The June numbers tell a story of conscious conservation, and that’s what we need and that’s what we are applauding today.”

The June report reflects the first measure of performance under drought emergency regulations developed in response to Gov. Jerry Brown’s April 1 executive order mandating a 25 percent reduction in potable water use statewide through at least the end of next February.

In an effort to account for the sometimes deep water conservation already accomplished in individual communities, past successes were factored into the savings targets set for the 411 urban water suppliers that are required to report to the state each month. The mandates range from 4 percent to 36 percent,

June results turned up 16 suppliers that fell far short of their conservation standards. Nearly all of them were in Southern California and the Central Valley.

Burke said the problem with Santa Rosa’s number had to do with the difference between the June 2013 and June 2015 reporting cycles. In 2013, there were 28 days between the readings of the city’s meter. This year, there were 35, skewing the supply number on which the state based its calculations. Burke said normalizing the production cycle resulted in a 30 percent savings rate for June.

Overall, 40 percent of urban suppliers reduced residential use by 30 percent or more, “a tremendous feat,” said Max Gomberg, a climate and conservation manager for the state water board.

Locally, Healdsburg, Sonoma and North Marin showed the biggest improvements in June, each saving about 30 percent over two years earlier. But those communities also had higher per-capita water use than others, exceeding 100 gallons per day, the state report shows.

Though the state conservation orders carry the threat of fines up to $500 a day for property owners who don’t comply, and civil liabilities up to $10,000 a day for suppliers that don’t meet conservation targets, Marcus and other state officials said they did not intend to issue fines yet.

But they said they plan to “get in the face” of those with the most egregious records, and would be developing enforceable orders outlining steps noncomplying suppliers must take to reach their goals.

The large urban water suppliers required to file the monthly reports serve about 90 percent of the state population, but the 25 percent conservation mandate extends to all water suppliers, even those too small to fall under the requirements. They will be required to report conservation efforts in December and demonstrate compliance with the governor’s order, said Caren Trgovcich, the water board’s chief deputy director.

Water officials said many suppliers have reported an impressive rise in complaints about water waste. On the Thursday, the state announced a new mobile Internet tool to expand and streamline reporting of waste and leaks. Information is available at savewater.ca.gov.

You can reach Staff Writer Mary Callahan at 521-5249 or mary.?callahan@pressdemocrat.com. ?On Twitter @MaryCallahanB.