PRESS RELEASE

May 25, 2007

From: Calaveras County Water District

Contact: Pat Emerson, 209 754-3543, ext. 41

For Immediate Release.

Many California utility agencies are implementing aggressive conservation plans this year. Calaveras County Water District is hoping more customers will take on voluntary water conservation efforts this summer. The state is well behind in average rainfall this year. “It’s not rainfall, but system design capacity that is the main culprit affecting water availability to our customers,” said CCWD General Manager David Andres.

Staying within the design capacity of water system facilities – a maximum usage of 1,500 gallons per household per day –can help delay the need for new or expanded facilities. Last summer’s heat-wave usage in Rancho Calaveras averaged over 1,700 gallons per day, but a request for voluntary conservation efforts showed an immediate reduction in water use. “Recharging the system takes time. One goal of conservation is to keep water use at a more level rate,” said Bill Perley, CCWD utilities director.

CCWD is strongly urging all customers to engage involuntary conservation by watering outdoors only between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. Odd address are asked to water on Tues, Thurs, and Saturday. Even address are asked to water on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Water conservation efforts help level peak usage by spreading water use over a wider range of time.

CCWD has added links in the Water Conservation area of its website, ccwd.org, and urges all customers to explore options that can vary from appliances to plantings. For example, aerators, available for a few dollars, can reduce water use at faucets by as much as 60% while still providing a strong stream. Growing plants suited to the area can save more than 50% of the water normally used to care for landscape. Customer Service Supervisor Doug Wilson remarked that conserving water is an exercise in changing water use habits. Ratepayers have choices to make in helping to control their water bills.

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