The Drought Is Far From Over

The state would need six months of rainfall to replenish water levels diminished by the drought. / Liz Monroy / elDon

By Aaron Vasquez

Santa Ana has not been majorly affected by the current drought that has left some parts of California thirsty.

In the early ‘90s water shortages prompted plumbing code changes and added resources. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California built Diamond Valley Lake, a groundwater reservoir, for less dependence on the Colorado River.

“Orange County has no chance of running dry, we have enough water to last us for the next couple years,” Armando Acuna, a spokesperson for the MWD said.

But the conservation efforts continue.

Gov. Jerry Brown requested that Californians cut back on water usage by 20 percent.

Per capita, the city of Santa Ana uses less water than more than half of the cities in Orange County. According to a MWDOC survey, residents use about 75 gallons of water while the county average is 128 gallons daily.

“We still have to do our part our still save,” Santa Ana Interim Executive Director for Public Works William Galvez said. “We are such a big part of the southern Californian

community, and we need to set the standard.”

In February Brown also announced a $687 million drought relief bill to help the areas affected most by the lack of rainfall.

He called on the Department of Water Resources to execute a statewide campaign to raise awareness and share conservation tips.

Recommendations from the DWR include updating kitchen equipment, taking showers instead of baths and watering plants in the morning.

The past rainfall and storms are not enough to offset the dry spell, considering most rain ends up in the ocean or being absorbed into the ground, according to SCC Water Utility Science Program Instructor Fred Adjarian.

California would need consistent rain for six straight months, Acuna said.

But the security of a readily available water flow has kept some students from conserving.

“I still shower and drink water as much as I want,” SAC student Greg Wishart said. “It hasn’t touched me directly.”