Utility urges customers to turn off outdoor irrigation as California drought continues despite local rainfall
IMPERIAL BEACH, CA (October 26, 2010) California American Water is encouraging all of its San Diego County customers to conserve water by turning off outdoor irrigation systems now that the first large rains of the season have arrived. The recent storms cut the need for outdoor watering and California American Water is urging customers to leave their sprinklers and other irrigation systems turned off for at least seven days after the rains end.
“The storms that passed over Southern California dumped more than two inches of rain in some areas making this the wettest October since 2004. There is no need to turn on our sprinklers for a week or more,” said Chris Mattis, California American Water’s San Diego County operations manager. “We are encouraging our customers to conserve water by refraining from turning irrigation systems back on too early.”
Despite this early season rainfall, the region is still struggling through ongoing water supply challenges. In late June, the state Department of Water Resources issued this year’s final water supply allocation of 50 percent from the State Water Project. This cutback is, in large part, due to endangered species issues within the Sacramento Delta Estuary.
California American Water offers rebates on water-saving appliances, free household water use surveys, leak detection kits for toilets and other conservation tools and ideas. California American Water customers can sign-up for these services by stopping by its local office located at 1019 Cherry Avenue, Imperial Beach, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., or by calling (619) 435-7515.
California American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 600,000 people. California American Water’s San Diego County service district includes approximately 21,000 households and businesses and serves a population of about 95,000 people, in the cities of Coronado, Imperial Beach, south Chula Vista, and parts of south San Diego.
Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 16 million people in 35 states, as well as Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
###
Brian A. Barreto
Office: 626-614-2542
Mobile: 626-388-7484
