Residents urged to reduce water use

While state water officials cite the region has plenty of water storage for the months ahead, city officials are urging those living in Folsom to step up their conservation efforts. Residents are being asked to reduce their day-to-day water usage by at least 10 percent. "While Folsom has the water supply needs of our community, we are calling on our water customers to do their part and conserve amid drought conditions across much of California," Folsom Mayor Mike Kozlowski said in a statement. "I'm confident our community will be responsive to the call to conserve." Folsom's water supply comes from Folsom Lake, which is now sitting at only 36-percent of capacity and 43 percent of normal this time of year, lower than it was back in 2014-2015, the most recent official drought years. Just last month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom expanded his state emergency order to declare a drought in 41 counties, including Sacramento and El Dorado. In a recent Folsom City Council meeting, Environmental and Water Resources director Markus Yasutake presented the council members with a vision of the city's current water status and an outlook on the months to come. Yasutake noted he does not foreseee the lake dipping below the level in which it becomes an emergency but some adjustments may be necessary in various distributions. "There is regional concern that if dry conditions persist into the fall and winter months, emergency operations to deliver water to the cities of Folsom and Roseville, San Juan Water District and Folsom State Prison may be necessary," he said in a report. Through the years, Folsom residents have become used to conserving water. Day-to-day conservation has been a common mindset for most, while many have redesigned and retrofitted landscapes to be drought-friendly and require less irrigation. According to the presentation and report, between 2014 and 2016, Folsom reduced its draw from the lake by an average of 26 percent compared to previous years. The newest request to reduce usage may not be the last, as officials are looking beyond this year to be prepared if another dry winter doesn't produce needed precipitation, according to the Regional Water Authority. Much attention will be paid to the lower portions of the American River where temperature and water flow can become a concern, not only for supply but for wildlife. Over the recent months, many residents have spoken out about the condition of Folsom Lake. Several have taken to social media, blaming the water levels on excess releases to allow for construction by EID on the El Dorado County side of the lake. Officials state such claims are false, backing up their response with a great deal of data that shows the rainfall and snowpack simply did not produce anywhere close to normal this past year. Folsom residents are encouraged to reduce water usage wherever possible. Outdoors is where most water usage takes place. It is recommended to reduce irrigation to three times per week, make sure all leaks are fixed and also reduce sprinkler run times to prevent runoff that is wasted.