City of Del Mar’s July to February 2010 Water Consumption


Prior 7/2/2009 Web Posting Continued:

The water supply shortage facing Southern California has become more and more critical.  Not only has there been an extended period of drought, but a judicial decision called the Wanger Decision has greatly restricted pumping in the Delta in order to protect a small fish called the Delta Smelt.  This impacts delivery of water into the State Water Project – one of the two primary sources of water for Southern California.   The region’s second source of water, the Colorado River, is also under stress.  Population growth and drought conditions in the Colorado River Basin have caused the Colorado River water to become fully allocated.  For years, California has benefited from being able to take surplus water not used by other states, and this water is no longer available. For a region nearly entirely dependent upon imported water, these limitations on both of the region’s primary water sources are a matter of grave concern.

On June 22, 2009, the City Council passed Resolution 2009-44, declaring Stage 2 - Drought Alert.  This action was in response to the Stage 2 Drought Alert declaration by the San Diego County Water Authority mandating cutbacks in use by its member agencies.  For Del Mar, that translates to a required cutback of eight percent, or to a total annual water use of 1343 acre-feet beginning July 1, 2009.  Since Del Mar’s consumption is currently on track to achieve the Water Authority cutback target, the Council implemented Stage 2 without implementing the higher drought rates provided for in the City’s municipal code.

In order to ensure meeting the cutback requirement, the Council directed residents to increase conservation and established a direct mechanism to implement drought rates if adequate conservation does not occur.  It adopted a resolution tracking consumption of water by Del Mar businesses and residents, and established a policy whereby if consumption by Del Mar customers begins to trend above the 1300 acre-foot/year level of consumption for the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 for more than two consecutive months, that staff would be directed to prepare a resolution implementing the drought rates. 

The City will monitor the City’s monthly water consumption beginning with July’s usage.  As soon as that data is available in August, a chart will be developed and placed on the City’s website which tracks the City’s water use relative to the mandate by the San Diego County Water Authority.

Stage 2 is one of four stages that can be implemented under the City’s Municipal Code Chapter 21.70 Emergency Water Management, and the first of three stages requiring increasing onerous cutbacks. 

The City Council has approved drought water and sewer rates through adoption of the Fiscal Year 2009-2014 Water and Sewer Rates which became effective on July 1, 2009.  The drought rates are designed to curb water usage by increasing costs for those who excessively use water.  In addition to its non-drought water and sewer rates, the City has developed drought rate schedules appropriate for all three stages of mandatory cutbacks.

For Water Conservation tips, web links, and further information, please visit www.20gallonchallenge.com and www.bewaterwise.com.