This page provides information on drought conditions and drought planning efforts throughout El Dorado County.


Current Drought Directives and Conditions

In response to worsened and expanded drought conditions, Executive Order (EO) N-7-22 (signed March 28, 2022) and the State Water Resource Control Board’s emergency regulation (adopted May 24, 2022) state:

  • Commercial, industrial, and institutional decorative grass (i.e., non-functional turfs) should not be watered aside from certain exceptions,
  • Give all trees just what they need: avoid overwatering,
  • Follow the local requirements of your water supplier, and
  • Urban water suppliers should implement all Level 2 demand reduction actions in their Water Shortage Contingency Plans by June 10, 2022, with an encouragement to implement Level 3 actions.

See EO N-7-22 and the emergency regulation above for additional details.


Current drought conditions can be found at El Dorado Water Agency’s Online Portal



Country Drought and Water Shortage Task Force

The El Dorado Water Agency convenes the County Drought and Water Shortage Task Force (Task Force) which is responsible for facilitating drought and water shortage preparedness for all small water systems and domestic wells within El Dorado County. This Task Force also meets Senate Bill 552 requirements for counties to establish a standing drought and water shortage task force. The Task Force includes core members that are legally responsible for public water systems, state small water systems, and domestic wells and implementing the requirements of Senate Bill 552. It also includes advisory members that are relied on for information and input related to drought conditions, small water system needs, and potential response actions.


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​TASK FORCE MEMBERS
Members
Carla HassCounty of El Dorado, Chief Administrative Office
Jeff WarrenCounty of El Dorado, Environmental Management Department
Scott BareCounty of El Dorado, Office of Emergency Services
Nancy WilliamsCounty of El Dorado, Public Health Officer
Kyle EricsonEl Dorado Water Agency

Advisory Members Agency (in alphabetical order)
Doug Leisz Citizens for Water
Rebecca Neves City of Placerville
Hilary Roverud City of South Lake Tahoe
Karen Bender County of El Dorado, Environmental Management Department
Rob Peters County of El Dorado, Planning and Building Department
Merv de Haas El Dorado County Farm Bureau
Phil Jones El Dorado County Office of Education
Brian Mueller El Dorado Irrigation District
Adam Coyan Georgetown Divide Public Utility District
Jodi Lauther Grizzly Flats Community Service District
John Marrs Kyburz Mutual Water Company
Jennifer Lukins Lukins Brothers Water Company, Inc.
Tracy Wilson Quintette Service Corporation
John Thiel South Tahoe Public Utility District
Sean Barclay Tahoe City Public Utility District
Ivo Bergsohn Tahoe Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Kirk Woolridge Tahoe Keys Water Company

​TASK FORCE MEETINGS
Meetings*Discussion Topics Relevant Materials
June 13, 2022 • Senate Bill 552 requirements
• Barriers to Senate Bill 552 implementation
• Task Force roles and responsibilities
• Current drought conditions		 Presentation
August 11, 2022 • Specific Senate Bill 552 requirements
• Condition assessment of small water systems in El Dorado County
• Current drought-related problems and potential solutions		 TBD
February 2023 Date: TBD • Regulatory and legislative updates
• Forecasted drought conditions
• Drought preparedness planning for the upcoming summer
 TBD
Key: TBD = to be determined
Note: *The Task Force will meet biannually, approximately every six months, although they may meet more frequently during drought or other water shortage events.



More information on the Task Force is described in the Task Force charter.




Long-Term Drought Resiliency Planning

Provides information about El Dorado Water Agency’s long-term drought resiliency planning efforts and drought plans for urban water suppliers throughout the county.


New Legislative Requirements for Small Water Suppliers and Rural Communities

Discusses the legislative requirements for small water suppliers and rural communities related to Senate Bill 552.



Resources and Tools

Provided below are existing resources that can be used when monitoring and preparing for drought events.


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​FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Farm Service Agency | Disaster Assistance Programs: The Farm Service Agency (through the U.S. Department of Agriculture) offers a variety of programs to help farmers, ranchers, communities, and businesses that have been severely impacted by natural disaster events, such as drought.

State Water Resources Control Board | Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER): The SAFER program provides funding sources to ensure sustainable operations for all of the state's drinking water systems and to achieve the goal of safe, accessible, and affordable water for all Californians.

U.S Department of Agriculture Rural Development | Water & Environmental Programs: The Rural Utilities Service Water and Environmental Program provides technical assistance and financing to rural communities to develop drinking water systems.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development | Loan Eligibility: Tool used to evaluate the likelihood that a potential applicant would be eligible for assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program.