Storm Update and Resources

At present, flash flood warnings continue in the Tri-Valley. Heavy rain band moving slowly eastward.

Zone 7 continues to monitor the forecast and current conditions. We have additional employees in the field today inspecting bridge crossings and keeping an eye on the channels. We also have a contractor on standby should there be any problems.

We do not expect any significant regional flooding, but will likely have higher flows in the channels than we have seen for several years. This will capture more debris in the channel and there will likely be localized flooding within the cities due to backed up stormed drains.

With the high winds, we do expect downed trees and the potential loss of power at some of our Zone 7 facilities.  However, we have backup generators and this should not impact our ability to deliver water.

Please use caution and stay safe. If you can't see the road in front of you due to flooding, don't drive through the area!

Storm Resources
Questions, concerns, to report flooding/downed trees

• Zone 7 (925) 454-5000
• City of Pleasanton Public Works (925) 931-5500 business hours, (925) 931-5100 after hours
• City of Livermore Public Works (925) 960-8100 for flooding, (925) 960-8020 for downed trees, (925) 371-4987 after hours
• Dublin (925) 833-6630 business hours, (925) 462-1212 after hours
• Alameda County Public Works (510) 670-5500
• Contra Costa County Public Works (925) 313-2000
• PGE/Power Outages (800) 743-5022

Sandbags

• Pleasanton: Residents can pick up free sandbags at the Pleasanton Service Center, 3333 Busch Road. They are located in the parking lot under a brown tarp and can be picked up anytime.  
• Dublin: Sandbags for Dublin residents and businesses (limit 10) can be picked up from the City's Public Safety Complex, 6363 Clark Avenue or at the City Corp Yard, 5709 Scarlett Court. Sand, shovels, and bags provided.
• Livermore: LPFD Station #6, 4550 East Avenue and LPFD Station #8, 5750 Scenic Avenue. Bring a shovel!

Mandatory Water Use Restrictions

California is in a third consecutive dry year, and calendar year 2013 was the worst in 150 years of recorded history in many parts of the state, including the Livermore-Amador Valley.

Zone 7 Water Agency’s Board of Directors declared a local drought emergency on January 29, 2014, and has directed its treated and untreated customers reduce their water use by 25 percent.

More than 80 percent of Zone 7’s water supply comes from the State Water Project and is conveyed through the Delta. The Department of Water Resources has set a 5% allocation for State Project water this year, the lowest in SWP history, and that water won’t be available until September. This means that Zone 7 will have to rely on stored water from last year through summer.

Here is a quick guide to the general water use restrictions in effect:

 

Water Conservation Rebates!

Zone 7 offers several rebate programs in cooperation with its water retailers.

Water-efficient Lawn Conversion Rebate
Recently updated! Rebate for single family residence increased to a maximum of $750 based on square footage converted. For a non-residential or multi-family property, the rebate has been increased to a maximum of $4500.

High-efficiency Toilet Rebate
Replace toilets using 3.5 gallons or more per flush with high-efficiency toilets using 1.28 gallons or less per flush. Rebates up to $100 per toilet are provided.

High-efficiency Urinal Rebate
Business and institutional customers can replace existing urinals using 1.0 or more gallons per flush with high efficiency urinals that use 0.5 gallons per flush. Rebates up to $200 per urinal are provided.

High-efficiency Clothes Washer Rebate
Earn a combined water-energy rebate of $200 for your purchase of a qualified "Energy Star Most Efficient" clothes washer. This is a joint program offered by Zone 7 and PG&E.

Zone 7 also offers a water rebate of $50 for a Tier 3 clothes washer.

For applications, program requirements, and more information please call 925-454-5065 or visit http://www.zone7water.com/rebate-programs

The Field Poll: California's Drought Situation

The latest statewide Field Poll dealing with the state's water situation, completed in early April among 1,000 registered voters throughout California, was released today.

Main Findings:

Nearly all California voters (88%) believe the state is undergoing a serious water shortage.
However, there is no clear consensus about whether the situation is due more to a lack of water
storage and supply facilities in the state, or users not using existing supplies efficiently enough.
Statewide, 27% cite the former, 37% the latter and another 24% say both are equally responsible.

By a 54% to 30% margin most Californians believe agricultural users, who currently consume about
three-quarters of the state's fresh water supply, can reduce its water use without creating real
hardships by changing crops and using water more efficiently. The average (median) amount that
voters feel agricultural users could save by taking these measures is 10%.

Voters are divided when asked whether the state should be allowed to bypass existing
environmental regulations protecting fish and the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin
river delta region if residents or farmers face serious shortages during dry years. Currently 49%
agree that the state should be allowed to bypass these regulations at such times, while 44% disagree.

Voters currently favor asking users to voluntarily cut back their water use by 20% over imposing
mandatory water rationing greater than two to one (67% to 27%) as a way to reduce water use.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/04/16/6327692/field-poll-drought-responses-split.html#storylink=cpy

The complete poll along with tables and methodology can be found here:
http://field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/Rls2468.pdf

Help Your Trees Survive The Drought

Lake Del Valle

I spent a lovely day at Lake Del Valle today and took some pictures to share. I know we have heard a lot in the news about the lake level. However, I am happy to report that the storage in Lake Del Valle has reached 39,600 acre feet (elevation 702.6 feet). The lake is expected to be full by April 15.

Lake Del Valle is an artificial lake located 10 miles southeast of Livermore, California on Arroyo del Valle (Spanish for "creek of the valley") in Del Valle Regional Park. The lake is formed by Del Valle Dam, completed in 1968. Del Valle Dam and Lake Del Valle are features of the South Bay Aqueduct, which is part of the State Water Project. The Lake serves as off-stream storage for the South Bay Aqueduct, which serves Zone 7. The East Bay Regional Park District operates water-oriented recreation, hiking, horseback riding, and nature study at Del Valle Regional Park.

Guided Boat Tours are now operating on Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm and 3pm. Tours last approximately an hour and a half. Adults $5, children 1 year and up and seniors $3. Sign up at the Lake Marina. For more information about Del Valle Regional Park, visit http://www.ebparks.org/parks/del_valle.

Living Arroyos Logo Design Competition for High School Students

Are you a high school student or do you know one in the Tri-Valley?  Living Arroyos needs a logo, and they need your help!  Check out the information in the flyer below and enter the competition! The winner gets their artwork displayed on their website, t-shirts, and literature.  Plus you could win $150!