Water conservation is a way of life in the Valley

Valley Water agrees with The Mercury News Editorial Board (“Drought threat should trigger conservation now,” March 4). The drought threat is real, and waiting for Mother Nature is not an option.

The Valley Water Board of Directors has not forgotten about the dry years. We believe conservation is a way of life in Santa Clara County. At the end of the last historic drought, we implemented a call for a 20% reduction in water use compared to 2013, and we continue that policy today.

People have responded. Water use in Santa Clara County is down 22% since 2015. Water saved today is water that’s available in the future. Valley Water aggressively promotes our many conservation programs that can help people and businesses save water and money, including our water-wise survey, landscape rebates and the Water Efficient Technology rebate. You can find them at watersavings.org.

Looking to the future, investment in water infrastructure is vital as we face extreme climate change conditions, such as severe and extended droughts. In November, voters in Santa Clara County overwhelmingly passed Measure S, the renewal of the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, which will continue to provide $45 million annually for local projects that will help us prepare for inevitable climate change impacts, including upgrades to our pipelines and the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project.

This past fall, Valley Water lowered water levels in Anderson Reservoir as part of our effort to strengthen the existing dam so it can safely withstand a large earthquake. The project will keep the public safe and eventually allow Valley Water to store more water in Anderson Reservoir.

While this important work is done, we will be relying more on imported water over the next 10 years during construction at Anderson Dam. Approximately 50% of water used in Santa Clara County is imported from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta watershed, which includes runoff from the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada. During drought, water prices can soar because it is sold on the open market. This makes water conservation more important than ever. The more we save, the less we need delivered.

Valley Water is also expanding its water reuse efforts through recycled water technology that can provide millions of gallons per day of highquality, drought-resilient water for both drinking and nondrinking purposes. The goal is to develop recycled and purified water to provide for at least 10% of our county’s water demands by 2025.

There is no single solution to our water supply needs in Santa Clara County. Valley Water’s Board of Directors continues to invest in conservation and our infrastructure to make sure that when you turn on your tap, safe, clean water will continue to flow.