Beyond the Drought

View current California reservoir conditions

California’s Water Shortage Crisis

Responding to dropping reservoir levels, increasing agricultural water supply uncertainty and regulatory restrictions on imported supplies, in February 2009 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Proclaimed a State of Emergency and ordered immediate action to manage the crisis. This action followed a drought declaration he issued in June 2008. This is the first time in California history that a statewide drought has been declared.

A Complex Problem

Though one winter of heavy precipitation could bring water supplies back to normal levels, California’s complex water supply issues will remain. Regulatory cutbacks on imported water supply and population growth have created much more serious water problems than the state faced in the early 1990s. In the future, the impacts of climate change will complicate California’s water supply difficulties even further.

What You Can Do

On our website you will find resources to help you implement water conservation measures and an emergency preparedness plan. Additionally, Central Basin provides a free bilingual Speakers Bureau Program for community organizations. Presentations cover a variety of water related issues.

SHUT YOUR TAP!

The Central Basin’s Shut Your Tap! Campaign (or ¡Cierre Su Llave!) engages community partnerships to promote water conservation within Central Basin's 24-city service area. Through this campaign we focus on providing resources and information to help you conserve water and get prepared in the event of a water shortage emergency. Visit our campaign website to see how you can join our campaign and help conserve water at your home, business or school!