(Sutter Creek) The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has notified the Amador Water Agency that by September 3, due to statewide drought conditions, AWA must stop drawing water from the Mokelumne River under the Central Amador Water Project (CAWP) water right that allocates water to Amador’s Upcountry communities.
AWA General Manager Larry McKenney said at Thursday’s regular AWA Board Meeting, “On first review, it does not appear the order prevents AWA from drawing water stored in Lower Bear Reservoir where more than a year’s supply of water is stored for the CAWP system.”
“Also, at this time we have no reason to believe our Amador Water System supply (serving the incorporated cities and lower county area) is affected by the state order, due to stored water available through PG&E,” McKenney said.
The State has issued similar water “curtailment” orders affecting many water rights throughout California, but so far neither the SWRCB nor the Governor have ordered mandatory reductions in use.
AWA Directors agreed to discuss the possibility of implementing a Stage 1 Water Alert, the first stage of the Agency’s Water Conservation plan, at their next Board meeting on September 9.
“In the meantime, AWA customers should continue to take reasonable steps to conserve water use wherever possible,” said McKenney. “Make every drop count!”
