Californians are very familiar with recurring drought, with our latest multi-year drought starting in 2021 until present.
Due to decades of investment in local water reliability projects, such as recycled water, groundwater augmentation, as well as conservation and education programs, West Basin and its retail agencies continue to be well prepared to manager our water supplies.
At the same time, we encourage all of our community members to create and maintain a water-efficient lifestyle – year-round, in or out of drought. Individual and collective actions are vital to ensuring that our residents and businesses continue to thrive with access to high-quality water supplies. Please read on the see how the drought has progressed; and learn about West Basin’s resiliency solutions.
- Water supply conditions have drastically improved in California – with the U.S. Drought Monitor indicating “no drought” in Los Angeles County. At the same time, West Basin is committed to securing our long-term drought and water supply resiliency. The District encourages water use efficiency as a way of life.
- March 2023: Governor Newsom eases drought restrictions, ends voluntary 15% water conservation target, and requirement that local agencies implement level two of their drought contingency plans.
- March 2023: Department of Water Resources announces it expects to deliver 75 percent of requested water supplies from the State Water Project, up from a 35 percent allocation announced in February.
- Wasteful water practices still prohibited by state:
- Outdoor watering that lets water run onto sidewalks and other areas (except incidental runoff)
- Washing vehicles without an automatic shutoff nozzle
- Washing hard surfaces like driveways or sidewalks that don’t absorb water
- Street cleaning or construction site preparation
- Filling decorative fountains, lakes, or ponds without a recirculation pump
- Outdoor watering within 48 hours after at least 1/4 inch of rainfall
- Watering decorative grass on public medians
- Watering decorative grass in commercial, industrial, and institutional areas, including common areas of homeowners’ associations (HOAs)
- Read the latest Statewide Water Restrictions for All Californians Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) updated on January 27, 2023.
As of July 31, 2022, all West Basin cities and unincorporated areas are requiring customers to water their landscapes no more than two times per week. To learn more about the specific watering restrictions in effect in your city or community, click on the water schedules webpage.
On May 24, 2022 the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted emergency water conservation regulationsin response to the drought and Governor Newsom’s calls for reduced water use levels statewide. The SWRCB banned the irrigation of non-functional, ornamental turf with drinking water in commercial, industrial and institutional sectors. This statewide action is in addition to the wasteful water practices prohibited in January 2022. In addition, the state board actions require urban water retailers, including those in West Basin’s service area, to implement all the water use reduction actions associated with a shortage level two (10-20% shortage at a minimum) of the supplier’s water shortage contingency plan.
On May 23, 2022, at the meeting of the West Basin Board of Directors, the Board adopted drought response actions including a call on its communities to reduce outdoor irrigation to two days per week. Read the announcement calling for two day a week watering.
On April 26, 2022 the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), which serves 19 million Southern Californians through 26 member agencies, declared a water shortage emergency for State Water Project (SWP) dependent parts of Los Angeles, Ventura and San Bernardino counties. West Basin, which receives MWD water imported from both the Colorado River and the SWP in typical years is not considered SWP dependent. In fact, last year, West Basin boosted regional water reliability by adjusting its operations to only deliver imported water from Colorado River supplies given the greater strain on water from Northern California. As such, West Basin and its communities are not subject to MWD’s most recent emergency restrictions. Read West Basin’s statement on what MWD’s water restrictions mean for the West Basin service area.
On March 28, 2022, Governor Newsom ordered the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to evaluate the adoption of regulations banning irrigation of “non-functional” turf (or grass), such as decorative grass adjacent to large industrial and commercial buildings. The ban would not include residential lawns or grass used for recreation, such as school fields, sports fields and parks. Learn more about the ban.
On January 4, 2022, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted an emergency regulation that prohibits certain wasteful water use practices statewide and encourages Californians to monitor their water use more closely while supporting habits to use water wisely. That regulation is effective January 2022. Frequently asked questions linked below. ACWA one-page overview also available.
On November 22, 2021, the West Basin Board of Directors declared a Shortage Level Three.
WEST BASIN SHORTAGE LEVEL THREE
On November 9, 2021, Metropolitan declared a regional drought emergency, called for increased conservation, and expanded water efficiency programs.
METROPOLITAN DROUGHT EMERGENCY
On October 19, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation extending the drought emergency statewide, including Los Angeles County. He urged Californians to increase their water conservation efforts as the western U.S. faces a potential third dry year, and California’s second driest year on record.
On July 26, 2021, the West Basin Board of Directors activated the district’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP), entering into Shortage Level 1.
Drought-Resilient Solutions
West Basin is committed to providing reliable, drought-resilient water supplies to the service area by focusing on efforts to expand local water supply resources that are more resilient to ongoing climate change and various other factors that may make imported watera less reliable supply.
West Basin’s Water for Tomorrow Program characterizes the district’s approach to addressing the service area’s water future. The Program brings new emphasis to West Basin’s commitment to protecting, securing and diversifying its water supply while continuing its history of innovation and industry leadership.
Water for Tomorrow |
Recycling |
Conservation |
Groundwater |
Education |
Long-Term Reliability Planning
West Basin regularly reviews and analyzes its water supply portfolio to ensure that strategic investments are being made to develop reliable long-term water supplies in the service area. From supply and demand forecasting to water use efficiency data analysis, West Basin develops numerous reports and strategic plans that help inform the District’s investments in a diverse set of capital and water resources programs.
In June 2021, West Basin published its 2020 Urban Water Management Plan, 2021 Water Shortage Contingency Plan, and an additional analysis related to Delta Reliance. Together, these strategic plans demonstrate the reliability of West Basin’s supplies for the next 25 years as the district continues to shift from heavier dependence on imported water supplies to a more diverse portfolio of recycled water, conservation, desalination, and groundwater augmentation.
Other Drought Resources
The U.S. Drought Monitor is a map that shows which areas of the country are currently in drought. The map uses five classifications: abnormally dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought: moderate (D1), severe (D2), extreme (D3) and exceptional (D4). 
