Water supply update

It rained and snowed. Now what?

While these strong storms are promising for our water supply, it will take much more precipitation and snowpack to get us out of this multi-year drought. 

We learned this lesson last year when we saw record precipitation in December 2021, followed by the driest January, February, and March 2022 in our history. 

Think of it like a bank account. If you stop receiving a paycheck for months on end and then suddenly get an average paycheck, that's not going to make up for the deficit in your balance. Rain does help refill the state's underground aquifers and reservoirs, but fast-moving storms aren't ideal. To recover from this drought, we need slow, consistent rain and snow for reservoirs to fill, snowpack in the Sierras to increase, and groundwater basins to replenish. 

We acknowledge that talking about drought during storm and flooding events seems counterintuitive. However, California's water system is complex and water storage levels remain below average.

Despite all the recent storms, statewide California reservoir storage is only 59% of the average for this time of year. Lake Oroville storage is 61% full, and the state's largest reservoir, Shasta, is only 54% full. The rain helped increase water storage, but we still need more rain to fill our reservoirs. However, there is some positive news, the state's snowpack, which accounts for 30% of the state's water supply, is doing well. 

Southern California update

As a member agency of The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the state's largest water supplier, Western receives most of its water from California State Water Project in Sacramento.

With the drought persisting, MWD declared a Regional Drought Emergency for all of Southern California, calling all water agencies to reduce their use of imported water supplies immediately. This could become mandatory if drought conditions persist in the coming months.

Local update

Western Water is laser-focused on continuing to provide our customers with a high-quality, reliable water supply now and in the future. We are monitoring snowpack and reservoir conditions around the State but also preparing for the possibility that these storms won’t bring the drought relief we need. We are working with our neighboring water agencies to ensure the region is well-prepared for future water supply challenges while focusing on long-term water management solutions.  

We recognize that securing California’s water future will require a statewide focus on water management and infrastructure solutions. That is why we are raising awareness among California policymakers on the immediate and bold state investments to innovate and bolster California’s water supply system through Solve the Water Crisis Coalition. 

Western Water offers several rebates and customer support programs to help you save more water and money. Check them out at wmwd.com/CustomerSupport. 

951.571.7104 

www.wmwd.com

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