ACWD has three primary sources of water supply. These three sources include water that is diverted from the Alameda Creek Watershed, water purchased from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), and water purchased from California’s State Water Project. In an average year, 40% of ACWD’s water supply comes from the Alameda Creek Watershed, 40% from the State Water Project, and 20% from the SFPUC.
ACWD’s local water supply from Alameda Creek has benefitted greatly from the series of rain events this winter. With local rainfall measuring 117% of normal as of Feb 3, these rain events provided enough water to enable ACWD to fill recharge ponds, and make dramatic improvements in local groundwater levels. These storms, coupled with ACWD customers excellent conservation practices, have allowed both groundwater and lake levels to fill to targeted storage levels for use in 2016. Since these storage target goals have been met, far less water needs to be diverted to recharge ponds, and customers may notice additional flow in Alameda Creek in the coming winter months.
Although local supplies have reached targeted storage levels, statewide supplies remain challenged. Storage reservoirs around the state of California remain well below normal for this time of year. ACWD continues to work to optimize usage of these water supplies to ensure there is enough water to deliver to customers during this historic drought. We ask that you continue to conserve water as statewide mandatory water use restrictions remain in effect.