2 years ago
EL DORADO HILLS, CA - Al Vautier couldn't believe he was at the Folsom Lake boat ramp so early in the summer taking his boat out of the water.
"It sucks," Vautier said, probaby speaking for many Folsom Lake boaters. "We're all in the same boat here and we all have to do it."
One by one, people climbed the ramp with boats in tow Wednesday afternoon, ordered out of their slips by state park officials. As the lake level continues to fall, some of the vacant boat spots could become bone dry.
"I think this is the worst," said Vautier. "This is the 2nd of July and this is worst I've seen it since I've been boating on Folsom."
But the low level signals more than just an inconvenience. For an entire district, it is cause for concern over water supply.
"Folsom Lake provides 99 percent of the water supply for the San Juan wholesale area," said Shauna Lorance, General Manager of the San Juan Water District. Her message to those customers: save now -- or pay later.
"We think it's the right thing to do to ask people to be aware of their water use and do everything they can to be efficient with their water use," said Lorance.
Five percent is what she says customers should try and cut back. It is not a mandatory reduction, and she says the shortage this year is not of huge concern. But if drought conditions persist at Folsom Lake and people don't save water now, next year, she says they could be sorry.
"As the water supply reductions get higher and higher, we will be asking for mandatory reductions," Lorance said.
Lorance says it would not be difficult for the average person to cut back on their water consumption. If you water your lawn 20 minutes a day, cutting back to 10 minutes would be enough.
News10/KXTV
