Politics & Government

Brown Declares End to California's 3-Year-Old Drought

Water restrictions remain until the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California vote on allocations.

Gov. Jerry Brown declared an end to California's drought Wednesday, but it could be another month before water use restrictions are lifted in the region.

Brown cited recent findings that the water content of the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains is 165 percent of normal, and reservoirs that feed the state water project are near capacity.

"The supplies the state of California manages (are) in good shape this year,'' said Ken Weinberg, director of water resources for the San Diego County Water Authority.  "Things are so good there could be a carry-over into next year, so that's why I think they made the decision.''

Find out what's happening in Powaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Water that ends up in San Diego faucets and shower heads is distributed by the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and then delivered to local water agencies by Weinberg's agency. The MWD Board of Directors will vote on allocations at its next meeting April 12. The county water authority board will then make similar decisions a couple of weeks later. Only then will local water agencies, like the city of Poway, know how much water will be available next year.
  
Though Brown declared an end to the drought, he said Californians should still be cognizant of how much water they're using.

"While this season's storms have lifted us out of the drought, it's critical that Californians continue to watch their water use,'' Brown said. "Drought or no drought, demand for water in California always outstrips supply. Continued conservation is key.''

Find out what's happening in Powaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A proclamation issued by Brown officially rescinded an executive order put out by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2008, and ends states of emergency adopted in 2008 and 2009.

City News Service contributed to this report.


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