Purpose

This Drought Action Plan serves as a detailed work plan for the BLSMWC staff, not only during drought conditions, but before and after as well.  It includes specific actions for management of the water demand and supply, addresses the impacts associated with drought, and facilitates the timely implementation of effective drought responses.

Adoption

On May 10, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Blue Lake Springs Mutual Water Company adopted a Drought Action Plan.  This Drought Action Plan covers water supply conditions, drought stages, objectives, and response actions.

Additional Information on how to conserve:

Calaveras Conserves - Use Water Wisely

Drought Action Plan Summary

A summary of drought stage water use reduction targets, triggering supply conditions, objectives, and response actions.

Drought Action Plan

Drought State 1 now in effect as of May 20, 2023

Water Supply Conditions

  • Slightly restricted water supplies (below normal)
  • Asking Shareholders for up to 10% supply reduction

Drought Stage

  • No watering of forest trees
  • Voluntary reductions of 10% in use
  • Voluntary even/odd outside watering
    • Even addresses: Wed., Fri., Sun.
    • Odd addresses: Tues., Thurs., Sat.
  • No watering between 10am and 6pm

Objective

Initiate public awareness of predicted water shortages, and encourage conservation flyers for realtors of vacation rentals.

Response Actions

  • Encourage voluntary measures to decrease “normal” demand up to 10%.
  • Voluntary: odd/even watering based on addresses during specific times of day.
  • NO WATERING ON MONDAYS.
  • Shareholder awareness through website.

Water Supply Conditions

  • Moderately restricted water supplies
  • Necessary 20% total supply reduction

Drought Stage

  • Mandatory stage with restrictions on use.
  • Even/odd days watering based on addresses.
    • Even addresses: Wed., Fri., Sun.
    • Odd addresses: Tues., Thurs., Sat.
  • No watering between 10am and 6pm.
  • No watering of forest trees (bark beetle trees).
  • No unnecessary watering (decks, driveways, cars, etc.).

Objective

Increase public understanding of worsening water supply conditions and enforce mandatory conservation measures.

Response Actions

  • Enforce mandatory measures and implement water rationing to decrease “normal” demand by 20%.
  • Mandatory: Even/odd watering days based on address, during specific times of the day.  NO WATERING ON MONDAYS.
  • Warnings and Fines (see below).  Water Restrictors added to non-compliant Shareholders.

Water Warnings/Fines

  • 1st – Written Warning
  • 2nd – $100 fine
  • 3rd – $1,000 fine
  • 4th – Water Restrictors added to non-compliant Shareholders

Water Supply Conditions

  • Severely restricted water supplies.
  • Necessary 35% total supply reduction.

Drought Stage

  • Mandatory restrictions (severe prohibitions) on use.
  • ABSOLUTELY NO OUTSIDE WATERING.

Objective

Ensure that water use is limited to health and safety purposes.

Response Actions

  • Enforce extensive restrictions on water use, and implement water rationing to decrease “normal” demand up to 50%.
  • NO OUTSIDE WATERING.
  • Fines are DOUBLED.  (See Drought Stage 2.)
  • Water Restrictors added to non-compliant Shareholders.