Catalina Water Quality & Mandatory Rationing

Since 1962, Southern California Edison has been providing water service to Catalina Island through water storage, wells, water treatment and distribution, and, more recently, a desalination plant.

Stage 2 Water Rationing Is In Effect

Mandatory water conservation and water rationing took effect on Catalina Island on August 11, 2014.
California is in a severe drought, and Catalina is among the areas in the state that have been greatly impacted.  Rainfall totals have been far short of normal the past two years. Due to the extreme drought conditions, everyone needs to cut back on water use even more to preserve our water resources.

Stage 2 Mandatory Water Conservation and Rationing requires a 25 percent reduction of previous water use. In other words, the monthly water allotment is 25 percent lower than the water used for the same month during the 12-month period before Stage 1 Mandatory Water Conservation was implemented in June, 2013.

WATER FACILITIES MAP

Water Supply Status and Stage 2 Results

• As of February 12, the Middle Ranch Reservoir water level was 277 acre feet.

• In January 2015, water use declined 8.33 percent — 12.1 acre feet of water was used, compared to 13.2 acre feet a year ago.

• Between August 2014 and January 2015, water use declined 34.08 percent even with a 25.11 percent increase in visitors to the island – 129.76 acre feet of water was used, compared to 196.86 acre feet during the same period in 2012 -2013 (baseline).

When does water rationing get implemented?

Mandatory water conservation goes into effect when water levels in the Middle Ranch Reservoir (“Reservoir”) fall below 600 acre-feet. Mandatory water rationing goes into effect when water levels in the Reservoir fall below 300 acre-feet.

Based on water levels in the Reservoir, mandatory water conservation and water rationing are already in effect.

How is water alloted during Stage 2 Mandatory Water Conservation and Rationing?

Part of the water rationing plan includes the use of monthly water allotments. SCE provides your individual monthly water allotments, which were calculated from your monthly water use from the 12-month period before Stage 1 Mandatory Water Conservation was implemented.

Stage 2 Mandatory Water Conservation and Rationing requires a 25 percent reduction from your baseline water use.

What is baseline water allocation? To determine your monthly baseline water allotment during Stage 2 Water Rationing, SCE takes your water usage from the same month during the 12-month period before Stage 1 Mandatory Water Conservation was implemented and reduce it by 25 percent. For example, if you used 100 gallons in September 2013, your baseline water allotment for September 2014 is 75 gallons. You will be responsible for monitoring your water use to ensure you do not exceed your monthly water allotments. The 25 percent water usage reduction will be strictly enforced.

What happens if you exceed my water allotment?

First offense: You will receive a written warning on your bill.

Second offense: SCE will install a flow-restricting device on your water service line. The device will be removed after a minimum 3-day period has passed and upon payment of a $200 fee.

Third offense: SCE will install a flow-restricting device on your water service line. The device will not be removed until water rationing is no longer in effect and upon payment of an additional $200 fee on top of the $200 fee charged with the second offense.

Any tampering with a flow-restricting device may result in fines or discontinuation of water use at our discretion.

Are there additional restrictions on water use?

Stage 2 Mandatory Water Conservation and Rationing requires certain prohibitions and restrictions on the use of fresh water, subject to future changes if directed by the California Public Utilities Commission.  (SCE, Frequently Asked Questions)