BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Now to a water crisis declaration by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday. For the first time since 2008 officials declared a water supply emergency in Kern County.
The Kern County Water Agency said a declaration doesn't impact the everyday water user, what it does is send a message to the state that our community is in shallow water.
The Kern County Water Agency asked the board to make the declaration at a meeting Tuesday afternoon. The agency manages water coming from the State Water Project. Officials told supervisors this year is the worst since 1977.
The biggest concern is that fact that the county's major surface water resource, the state water project, is only anticipated to get 5% of its allocation. This is devastating to farmers who use this source to water crops. The agency says this year's allocation will only be enough to water 2 percent of the county's farmland.
"Looking at the short term, this is why we need folks what they can do to address shortages, to reduce their consumptive use and look for additional supplies," said Curtis Creel of the Kern County Water Agency.
The Board of Supervisors also voted Tuesday to send a letter to the Governor, asking him to declare a statewide water emergency. If that happens then the Kern Count Water Agency said water can move more freely through the state.
But the Kern County Water Agency doesn't expect the Governor to make a decision about a declaration until February.
The Kern County Water Agency said a declaration doesn't impact the everyday water user, what it does is send a message to the state that our community is in shallow water.
The Kern County Water Agency asked the board to make the declaration at a meeting Tuesday afternoon. The agency manages water coming from the State Water Project. Officials told supervisors this year is the worst since 1977.
The biggest concern is that fact that the county's major surface water resource, the state water project, is only anticipated to get 5% of its allocation. This is devastating to farmers who use this source to water crops. The agency says this year's allocation will only be enough to water 2 percent of the county's farmland.
"Looking at the short term, this is why we need folks what they can do to address shortages, to reduce their consumptive use and look for additional supplies," said Curtis Creel of the Kern County Water Agency.
The Board of Supervisors also voted Tuesday to send a letter to the Governor, asking him to declare a statewide water emergency. If that happens then the Kern Count Water Agency said water can move more freely through the state.
But the Kern County Water Agency doesn't expect the Governor to make a decision about a declaration until February.