Most California communities have moved on from drought restrictions.
Not Nipomo.
The Nipomo Community Services District decided to maintain its Stage IV water shortage emergency, which asks residents to turn off their irrigation systems and charges users higher water rates, among other restrictions, at its Wednesday meeting.
Instead, the key wells index (a measurement of several key wells in the area) showed that water levels were still severely low.
“The drought continues to affect our community,” Nipomo CSD General Manager Mario Iglesias said in a news release.
“With last winter’s above-average rainfall, much of the state has declared an end to the drought.
However, the Nipomo Mesa groundwater basin is slow to respond to rain-water runoff, leaving water levels in a severe condition.” The district’s Water Shortage Response and Management Plan is based on five escalating stages of drought, according to the release.
In Stages III through V, there are “targeted reductions in water use designed to protect long-term groundwater supplies.” Stage IV, which the district is currently in, represents “severe water shortage conditions” and sets a goal of reducing the area’s groundwater pumping by 50 percent.
Kaytlyn Leslie: 805-781-7928, @kaytyleslie Related stories from The Tribune Rain season ends with some SLO County spots at double their normal totals Find out how much rain fell near your house this year Unlimited Digital Access for just $1.99.
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