NORTH LAKEPORT, Calif. – County utility officials are issuing another call to water users in the north Lakeport area to conserve water, warning that a mandatory conservation order could be forthcoming if conditions continue to worsen.
On Monday, Lake County Special Districts issued a second request to customers in the North Lakeport Water System – CSA No. 21 – to conserve water, following an initial conservation notice released 10 days ago.
The agency said that since that first notice, lake conditions and challenges within the North Lakeport Water System have become worse.
Water users in CSA No. 21 reported to Lake County News over the weekend issues with water quality, with reports of brown water coming from faucets.
Special Districts said the north Lakeport water plant is continuing to be challenged in keeping up with the high demand for water and the reduction in storage reserves has reached a critical level.
If the situation does not improve soon, Special Districts officials said they will have to request that the Board of Supervisors adopt an emergency ordinance to require mandatory water conservation.
The elevated summer temperatures have adversely affected the lake water quality due to significant cyanobacteria bloom and placed an increased demand on water consumption, the agency said. The lake water chemistry has become unpredictable and conservation is essential in providing a continuous supply of water.
Special Districts has been purchasing water from the city of Lakeport through the intertie that was installed several years ago and must limit the amount of water received from the city so as not to stress their water system, according to Special Districts.
On Monday, the Special Districts administration requested that customers refrain from using water for irrigation/outdoor watering purposes, filling swimming pools, high pressure water cleaning applications and washing vehicles.
In response to the reports of abnormally colored water, Special Districts said that as a result of the current water system treatment process, they are experiencing oxidation, which does cause a “slight discoloration” of the water. The water also may have a noticeable “chlorine” taste.
The agency said it's anticipated that the water quality issues will be resolved within the next several days.