Drought Management

CURRENT DROUGHT STAGE:  D-3 Extreme Drought

CURRENT GROUNDWATER USE REDUCTION MEASURES AND RESTRICTIONS

Exempt wells and General Permits by Rule: 30% voluntary reduction in groundwater use

Operating Permits: 30% mandatory curtailment of quarterly permitted-use amount

USAGE REDUCTION MEASURES:

• Continue, or increase voluntary reduction in various uses
• Check for and correct all plumbing leaks
• Water outside lawns, trees, shrubs once every 5 to 7 days
• Water at night between hours of 8pm and midnight using hand-held hose with automatic shut-off nozzle or automatic timer
• Hose-end and automated sprinkler systems prohibited
• No swimming-pool re-fills (topping-up water only)
• Wash vehicles at car wash only as needed
• No washing of buildings, driveways, streets, patios, or other outdoor surfaces except as required for human or animal health and safety needs, or for fire prevention
• Watering for dust control only when required by law
• Livestock watered in leak-proof troughs strongly recommended
• Pumping groundwater into livestock stock tanks is discouraged
• Providing groundwater to other ponds, lakes, tanks, reservoirs, or other surface impoundments for holding water is prohibited.
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ADDITIONAL D-3 RESTRICTIONS

• No new non-exempt wells may be drilled, except to replace existing permitted wells. This restriction does not apply to exempt wells. The Board may consider approval of a new non-exempt well only if necessary to mitigate an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare.
• The District will not accept applications for new operating permits or for amendments increasing production under existing permits, except under the same limited public health and safety criteria. 

ABOUT DISTRICT DROUGHT STAGES

Five Groundwater Drought stages, corresponding to US Drought Monitor-specified drought intensity levels, may be declared by the Board on the basis of the specified portion of the District’s area reaching these trigger thresholds and other factors. They are, from least to most severe:

• "No-Drought" - base condition;

• D-0 Abnormally Dry Stage;

• D-1 Moderate Drought Stage;

• D-2 Severe Drought Stage;

• D-3 Extreme Drought Stage; and

• D-4 Exceptional Drought Stage.

For additional information regarding SWTCGCD drought management, see SWTCGCD Rule 5.2.