Jun 25, 2008

Agency urges cutbacks on water use

Low snowpack, rainfall blamed for shortage

By Mark Abramson / Daily News Staff Writer

Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency officials are urging people who live within the 25 cities and water districts they represent to cut back water usage by 10 percent.

The agency represents the interests of San Mateo, Palo Alto, Foster City, Belmont, Redwood City, Santa Clara, Mountain View and other cities and water districts that purchase water from San Francisco's Hetch Hetchy water system.

Spokesperson Nicole Sandkulla said people are being asked to voluntarily reduce their water use because the supply is down.

"(Supply is low because of) the snow- pack in the Sierras is low, combined with the low precipitation in the Sierras and locally," she said.

Foster City officials have suggested that people conserve by not hosing down sidewalks, driveways and pavement, watering at night or early morning and taking other measures.

More information about the situation can be found by going to www.fostercity.org, www.bawsca.org/drought.html or calling the Foster City Public Works Maintenance Superintendent Ignatius Nelson.



E-mail Mark Abramson at

mabramson@dailynewsgroup.com.