NORTH LAKEPORT, Calif. – Special Districts issued a notice on Wednesday strongly urging all customers in the North Lakeport Water System – CSA No. 21 – to immediately begin voluntarily conserving water, particularly for uses like irrigation and swimming pools.
The agency said the North Lakeport Water System is experiencing a significant challenge in keeping up with the high demand for water.
The public water system is experiencing a reduction in storage reserves which are approaching critical levels and an emergency request for water conservation has been issued.
The elevated summer temperatures have adversely affected the lake water quality due to significant blue-green algae growth and placed an increased demand on water consumption. The water treatment plant is significantly challenged to keep up with the high demand and replenish the storage tanks.
Special Districts told Lake County News that the surface water plants have had problems with algae in the past but it seems to be getting worse each year.
Conditions are the worst they’ve ever seen them in the North Lakeport Water System – likely due to the extremely high temperatures last week – and agency officials said this is about a month earlier than such problems normally occur.
Special Districts administration is asking customers to refrain from using water for irrigation/outdoor watering purposes, filling swimming pools, high pressure water cleaning applications and washing vehicles.
Using water wisely helps protects the water system, especially during these periods of short supply. Voluntary conservation efforts now can help avoid a critical reduction in storage reserves which could result in mandatory water rationing, Special Districts said.
Although this urgent conservation request applies to the North Lakeport Water System, Special Districts is requesting that customers in all water districts voluntarily conserve water. After a very dry winter and the extreme summer temperatures, ground water levels are very low and surface water sources are challenged due to the current lake water quality.
The agency said it is always important to conserve water and care should be taken to prevent any unnecessary use. Special Districts asked its customers to consider installing low-flow devices on all in-home faucets and showers, and installing low flow/flush toilets. Water conservation is important and it saves money.
Should you have any questions about water conservation or low flow devices, please log on to the Special Districts Web site, http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Special_Districts/Water_Conservation.htm , where customers can find useful tips on using water wisely in both the home and for landscaping, and information on how to further reduce water use through conservation.
Lake County Special Districts Administration also can be contacted at 707-263-0119.