SACRAMENTO – (INT) – California’s immediate water supply future took a dramatic turn Friday March 24th when state officials eased drought emergency provisions that are no longer needed.

Although it stopped short of declaring an end to the 3-year drought, the State Department of Water Resources (DWR) boosted to 75% the amount of water that will be delivered to agencies along the State Water Project. Also, the state will increase water supplies through groundwater recharge, stormwater capture and reservoir storage. For consumers, the voluntary 15% water conservation target has been scrapped.

Still in effect is a state of emergency for all 58 counties to allow for drought response and recovery efforts. The Colorado River Basin, a source of much of the Inland Empire’s imported water, remains in drought.

While the recent storms have helped ease the drought, some communities that rely on groundwater supplies have water supply shortages. Most groundwater basins will be slow to recover following the extreme drought.

Story Date: April 13, 2023