Our storage tanks remain low because demand continues to exceed what the plant can produce. Recent water-use data shows that irrigation, particularly irrigation occurring outside the Stage 3 watering schedule, is a significant factor. This is especially important overnight, when demand would normally decrease and give our tanks an opportunity to refill.
- The plant produced about 14.0 million gallons yesterday, while approximately 14.8 million gallons were used. As a result, our tanks lost roughly three-quarters of a million gallons in a single day instead of refilling.
- About 84% of all water used in the last 24 hours came in irrigation-sized bursts rather than normal indoor use.
- Of that irrigation, 88%, or approximately 10.4 million gallons, occurred outside the permitted watering day or time. Under Stage 3, the only permitted watering during this period was Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. for addresses ending in 5 or 7.
- Overnight demand is having a particularly significant impact. From approximately 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., we saw between 300,000 and 590,000 gallons of irrigation-sized water use every hour. Irrigation is not permitted during these hours. This is also the time when lower demand would normally allow our tanks to recover and refill.
We greatly appreciate the many customers who are following the Stage 3 watering restrictions and helping reduce demand. Every customer who follows the schedule makes a difference. We are asking everyone to help by watering only on their assigned day and during permitted hours and by limiting other non-essential water use whenever possible.
Working together to reduce demand gives our tanks the opportunity to recover and helps us maintain reliable, uninterrupted water service for the entire community.