Today's dismal snowpack survey in the Sierra Nevada Mountains serves as confirmation that we must all do our part this spring and summer to conserve water. Most of Santa Clara County is currently classified as being in a moderate drought, and we don't know how long these conditions will last or how much worse they will get.
Our Board of Directors knows we can't just sit back and wait for more rain. That's why we continue to call for a 20% voluntary reduction in water use compared to 2013, which we implemented during the last historic drought. We believe conservation is a way of life in Santa Clara County.
Looking to the future, making investments in our water infrastructure is vital as we face climate change and more severe droughts. That includes upgrading and maintaining our pipelines, water treatment plants and water storage projects, including the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project.
Valley Water is also expanding its water reuse efforts through recycled water technology that can provide millions of gallons per day of high-quality, drought-resilient water for drinking and non-drinking purposes. Our goal is to develop recycled and purified water to provide at least 10% of the county's water demands.
Making these investments now is worth it to ensure a reliable supply of safe, clean water, which is crucial for public health and the economy.
For more information on the water supply outlook in Santa Clara County, visit https://valleywaternews.org.