The document summarizes the water supply challenges facing San Diego County and the Water Authority's efforts to address them. It notes that San Diego County now imports over 80% of its water supply due to population growth outpacing local supplies. Major reservoirs have been drawn down during the recent droughts, and regulatory restrictions are limiting imports. The Water Authority is working to diversify supplies through conservation, recycled water, desalination, and transfers to make the region more drought-proof.

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Water Conservation Summit
June 2, 2009
Maureen Stapleton
General Manager, San Diego
County Water Authority

2. Water Authority Background
Wholesale water agency
created by State
Legislature in 1944
24 member agencies
6 cities
14 water utility
3 irrigation districts
1 military base
Service area
920,000 acres
97% of county’s population
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3. Water Authority.. The early years
1946
Last year local water supply
was able to support San
Diego county’s population
and economy
County population: 552,804
91% increase from 1940

4. Annual Precipitation
San Diego
County

5. San Diego County’s Water Sources (2008)
LAKE
SHASTA
San Diego County imports
LAKE more than 80% of its
OROVILLE
water supply
State Water
Project
(Bay-Delta) Colorado River
28% 54%
Local Water
Supply Projects
18%
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6. San Diego Region’s
Water Supply Portfolio
1991
Local Surface Water
5%
Metropolitan Water
District 95%

7. Drought Headlines from 1990-91
Community Outcry: ‘No More Water Shortages!’

8. Three Challenges to Our Water Supply
1. Drought
Last three years in California
8 of last 10 on the Colorado River
2. Low Storage
Major reservoirs have been drawn down
to low levels
3. Regulatory
Pumping restrictions are sharply limiting
imported water from Northern California
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9. State Water Project: Lake Oroville
June 2005 – 98% of capacity
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10. Lake Oroville November 2008
1.0 MAF - 29% capacity

11. Colorado River Hydrologic
Conditions
2007 was 8th year of
historic drought
2003: surplus water no
longer available
CRA half-full
2008 above average
117% of normal snow pack
Reservoirs are at ~50%
60 MAF capacity
Will take many years
to refill

12. Fish Protections Restrict Pumping
Delta smelt
Central Valley
steelhead
Longfin smelt
Banks Pumping Plant
State Water Project Chinook salmon
Green sturgeon
Additional pumping restrictions expected
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13. Pumping Flexibility Reduced
Window restricted even during wet years
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
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14. Delta Smelt Water Supply Impacts
Reductions in water
supplies from the State
Water Project due to Delta 43% lost
smelt pumping restrictions 44% lost
40% lost
24% lost
Drier Wetter
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15. Impacts to San Diego County
Metropolitan Water District (MWD)
voted April 14 to allocate supplies
13% reduction from MWD
Water Authority voted April 23 to
allocate supplies to its 24 member
retail agencies
Because of diversification, regional M&I
shortfall is 8%
Cutbacks to agriculture: 13% to 30%
Moved from “Drought Watch” to
“Drought Alert” April 23
Mandatory water use restrictions
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16. Diversifying San Diego County’s
Water Supply Portfolio
1991
Local Supplies: 5%
Recycled Water Seawater
6% Desalination
Local Surface
MWD: 95% 10% Conservation
Water
11%
7%
Groundwater Groundwater
Local & QSA 6%
MWD
Supplies 29%
29%
Canal Lining
MWD
Transfer
71%
9%
IID Transfer
2008
22%
2020
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17. How do we use water?
Fiscal Year 2008: 691,931 acre-feet
17% - Commercial/Industrial
13% - Public Sector
12% - Agricultural
59% - Residential

18. Reducing Per Capita
Consumption
es
Re
ti v
gu
en
la t
Inc
ory
s/
am
Ra
Education/
gr
te
o
Outreach
s
Pr

19. Addressing the Region’s Water
Challenges – Tools in the Toolbox
Water Demand
Voluntary and Mandatory
Conservation
Pricing and Tiered Rate Structures
Development and Regulations & Standards
Building
Landscaping
Production, i.e. manufacturing, energy creation
Use restrictions

20. Additional Approach:
Changing Social Norms
Conservation often means deviating
from normal activity
Promote community support
- Changing Perceptions & Expectations
Your neighbors are conserving
- Peer/Societal pressure if not conserving
Momentum from resistance to
acceptance to a “way of life”

26. Strategic Partnerships & Pilot Programs
SDCWA Member Agencies

27. Other Partners

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