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Tag: Water District

  • Citrus Heights water official talks drought, rain, rates

    Updated Feb. 12, 11:55 a.m.–
    Wondering how much local rainfall has affected the drought, or if higher water rates are planned for 2015?

    rain_flooding_puddle_DSC_0720
    A large puddle off Fair Oaks Boulevard, formed after a recent storm brought several inches of rain to the area.

    A spokesman for the Citrus Heights Water District said Wednesday that local water users maintained a 20 percent average reduction in consumption for 2014 and shouldn’t anticipate increased drought rates this year, in light of seasonal rainfall totals being near average.

    “We are pleased that CHWD customers voluntarily met the California statewide goal for reducing water use in 2014 without the need for penalties or extra enforcement measures,” said David Kane, assistant general manager for the local water district.

    Looking ahead at 2015, Kane said the good news is local rainfall totals are “near seasonal averages” – despite January being the driest month in California’s recorded weather history. But the bad news is mountain snow pack is “well-below normal.”

    “Unless we get some significant colder storms that deposit a lot of snow, we anticipate needing to continue the District’s current Stage 3 Water Warning status during 2015,” said Kane, adding that snow pack serves as the District’s “reservoir” for water during the summer and fall dry seasons. He added there’s been “no discussion by the Board” of declaring a Stage 4 Water Crisis or implementing drought water shortage rates, but said “the District continues to evaluate water supply conditions as we move closer to spring and summer months.”

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    Kane said water savings tips this time of year include fixing any indoor or outdoor leaks, along with the District’s top tip to keep outdoor water turned off.

    “Most lawns and landscaping will survive just fine during the winter months during extended dry periods,” said Kane, stating that outdoor watering can often represent more than 50 percent of a customer’s annual water use.

    Across California, other water districts have struggled to reach the 20 percent water savings goal, but still helped save a total of 134 billion gallons of water since July of last year, according to a State Water Resources Control Board announcement last week. The Board also said its Emergency Water Conservation Regulation expires on April 25, 2015, but will likely be extended if drought conditions persist.

    [Related story: Citrus Heights Water District seeks applicants to fill board vacancy; Deadline Feb. 17]

    Calling water a “precious resource,” Kane said he’s hopeful local users will continue their water-efficient practices, regardless if the drought continues.

    Despite its name, the Citrus Heights Water District’s service area doesn’t actually cover all of Citrus Heights, although a majority of the city’s residents are included within the District’s boundaries. Some portions of Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Carmichael, and Roseville are also included in the CHWD service area.

  • Citrus Heights Water District seeks applicants to fill board vacancy

    Updated Jan. 24, 2:33 p.m.–
    The Citrus Heights Water District has announced a vacancy for Division 2 of its three-member governing board and is currently accepting applications through February 17.

    An application packet for the position says applicants must be registered voters and live within the boundaries of Division 2, in order to be considered for appointment by the two remaining board members.

    The Division’s area covers the east part of the water district, bounded by Sunrise Boulevard in the west and continuing into a portion of Fair Oaks and Orangevale. It is roughly bounded by Oak Avenue in the north and extends to its southern border near Madison Avenue.

    <<See related story: “Citrus Heights Water District board votes 2-0 to raise rates”>>

    Division 2’s position had been taken by board member Joseph Dion, who recently won re-election in November, 2014.

    For more information about the position, the packet says applicants can contact CHWD’s General Manager Robert Churchill at (916) 725-6873, or by email at rchurch@chwd.org.

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    Application packet: www.chwd.org

  • Mariposa Ave. closed after water main breaks overnight

    Water main, citrus heights. photo by Luke Otterstad
    Citrus Heights Water District crews open up the pavement to access the buried water main.

    Updated 2:31 p.m.–
    A section of Mariposa Avenue has been closed after Citrus Heights Water District crews tore a large hole in the pavement to allow for an emergency repair on a water main that broke at the intersection of Cook Lane, near Old Auburn Road.

    By 11 a.m., crews had uncovered the damaged water line, buried several feet under the intersection — and had hauled off several truck loads of dirt and broken up pavement.

    A foreman on scene said he expects repairs to be finished by 5 p.m. Thursday, and will re-open Mariposa Avenue after the access hole in the intersection is patched and dried. He was unsure how many homes were affected by the breakage, but said water was turned back on by noon, Thursday.

    A water district spokesperson said the District has been exceptionally busy the past few days and confirmed crews were working at the scene, but had no further information available.

    Due to the road closure, it is recommended to avoid the portion of Mariposa between Old Auburn and Antelope Road.

    *Update: Mariposa Avenue is now open.

  • WATER: Citrus Heights usage drops 21%, State lags behind

    WATER: Citrus Heights usage drops 21%, State lags behind

    As California’s drought continues, the Citrus Heights Water District says its customers cut back water use by an average of 21.2 percent during the first eight months of 2014 – exceeding Governor Jerry Brown’s call for a 20 percent reduction.

    water faucet
    Photo credit: Sarah/mira66 via Flickr Creative Commons

    Ranking among the highest water savers across the state, data shows CHWD users consistently beat statewide averages, which have only been in the single digits until finally hitting an 11 percent reduction in August, according to figures released by the State Water Resources Board in October.

    State numbers show CHWD reporting a savings of over 1.45 million gallons of water in August alone, and District Assistant General Manager Darlene Gillum said the total 2014 reduction amounts to a savings of about 36 gallons per capita per day for local users, compared to water use in 2013.

    Currently at a Stage 3 Water Warning level, Gillum said the District has “no near-term plans” to bump the warning up to a Stage 4, which would be accompanied by “Water Crisis/Emergency tiered pricing” increases, if the warning remained implemented past 45 days.

    The current Stage 3 warning comes with a list of 11 regulations, including a ban on water run-off from properties, and a requirement that automatic shut-off devices be attached at the end of outdoor hoses. The warning also states that restaurants “shall serve water only upon request,” and landscape irrigation is to be reduced by 11 to 25 percent.

    Water users in CHWD currently pay about a dollar for every 350 gallons the District delivers, although the Board of Directors will consider a 3 percent rate increase at a November 19 meeting.

    Despite its name, CHWD’s service area doesn’t reach all of Citrus Heights, although a majority of the city’s residents are included within the District’s boundaries. Some portions of Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Carmichael, and Roseville are also included in the CHWD service area.

  • DROUGHT: City Residents Reduce Water Use by 16%

    Cracked_and_dried_mud_at_the_beachLate rains in Citrus Heights have brought little drought relief, with calls for reducing water consumption to continue as the summer heat approaches.

    “The current Stage 3 Water Warning and call for 20 percent reduction will likely remain in effect for the remainder of 2014,” said David Kane, assistant general manager for the Citrus Heights Water District.

    So far, Kane said local water users have responded to the call for reduction, showing a 16 percent decrease in water consumption between January 1 and April 30 – when compared to the most recent 5-year average.

    Kane added that the District’s switch to metered water rates in 2008 was an effective tool in reducing waste, as customers began paying for water based on their actual use, rather than paying a flat rate for unlimited water.

    Although acknowledging that raising water rates can be a motivator to reduce consumption, the assistant manager mentioned no plans to do so in the District — where the average user in Citrus Heights pays only about a dollar for 350 gallons of water delivered to their home.

    Providing some early tips as summer approaches, the District recommends letting lawns grow a bit longer to keep soil moist, and only watering outdoors between dusk and dawn to avoid excessive evaporation during the day. Leaving mulched clippings on the lawn is also advised, as the mulch provides extra nutrients for the soil.

    CHWD covers about two-thirds of Citrus Heights residents, and its water supply extends to portions of Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Carmichael, and Roseville.

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    On the Net:

    A full list of the Stage 3 water warnings can be viewed here.