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Burbank issues “20 gallon challenge”

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on September 29, 2007 at 3:40 pm

From the Burbank Leader:

…dry weather is only part of the story, said Bill Mace, Burbank Water and Power’s assistant general manager. “The problem we are facing is not entirely related to the drought,” he said. “The causes of the crisis are both natural and political. It has been a dry season, but the real issue is the political situation at the delta.”

The San Joaquin/Sacramento River Delta has been the focus of intense court battles in which environmental lawsuits have resulted in decreased water pumping in an effort to revive the floundering fish population. The tiny delta smelt that swim in the river appeared close to extinction before a federal judge stepped in, officials with the Natural Resources Defense Council said.

The ruling resulted in a 30% drop in pumping levels.

“[This] appears to improve the smelt’s chances of survival,” said Kate Poole, the council’s senior attorney. “We can manage the . . . delta to protect fisheries and supply clean, reliable water to downstream users. The key is to use water wisely.”

Burbank, as well as other regional cities, rely on the delta for 15% to 20% of its water supply, Mace said, forcing officials to call for customer reductions. Last year, Burbank relied on the delta for 25% of its water supply.

Jeanette Meyer, marketing manager for Burbank Water and Power, cautioned that customers will not immediately notice a drop in water supply but could feel the effects in the future. “Burbank’s water supply will not be critically short immediately or in the next few months, the problem is real and will be a long-term situation,” she said.

The utility has begun an education program and issued a “20 gallon challenge” to its residents.