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1/24/2025
WT Staff
Got water questions? Give us a call at 877-52-WATER (877-529-2837), or email us at info@watertoday.ca
January 24, 2025 916 am PST
Tracking with the drought map for potential impact on drinking water supplies
Real-time streamflow readings are collected and averaged over seven consecutive days, then compared with historic 7-day averages for the same time period in prior years. When the 7-day average falls below the seasonal normal for a given monitoring site, the drought map shows the impacted watershed that is becoming depleted in measured water levels. The consistent tracking and reporting of the drought map makes sense for those concerned with drinking water supply and quality. Ratings begin at "below normal", and as time goes on and water monitors continue below normal, the drought rating escalates to moderate hydrologic drought, then on to severe and the most serious drought classification, extreme drought. Note the national drought tracking system has one additional category beyond extreme drought, an indicator for wildfire risk. For our purposes here, we track the drought map in order to identify those watersheds where municipal drinking water supplies may be subject to more than the usual challenges.
Extended periods of drought in a given watershed often precede water conservation measures. In some cases, consistent attention to the drought trends point to those areas where municipal drinking water systems fail due to low water levels. The same tracking rationale applies to flood conditions and hazardous spills. By observing extreme low flows, floods and spills by watershed, it is possible to identify where there may be increased stress on groundwater wells and surface water supplies. Keep coming back to the front page map, enable the watershed layer with directional arrows to visualize the water impact zone for drought, flood and spills.
Streamflow Situation from the network of US Geological Survey in California
The NWS local forecast office for Los Angeles-Oxnard reports 60 degrees heading for a sunny day, high 71. Rain tomorrow, 40 percent chance of showers after 10am, up to a tenth of an inch possible. More showers Saturday night, 90% chance of rain up to half an inch possible.
Streamflows in Los Angeles Region 4 and Santa Ana watershed Region 8 remain in the lower end of normal to much below normal. Colorado River and Lahontan interior watersheds are continue with the lowest water levels, the central San Bernardino County drought has escalated to moderate, all remaining area of Lahontan and Colorado River watersheds below normal.
Safe Drinking Water Advisories
See the latest EPA Serious Violator List for California Drinking Water Facilities, here.
Pasadena Water and Power has restored water service to some connections impacted by the Do not Use order issued on Jan 13. From a news release Jan 19, 2025"PWP and the State Water Resources Control Board ("SWRCB") have further confirmed safe drinking water quality in additional areas previously under the Do-Not-Drink-Water Notice."
For an updated map of the Pasadena Water "Do Not Use" impacted area, visit here.
LA County Water District 29 - Malibu: Do not use tap water order remains in effect. Bottled water is available 23533 West Civic Center Way daily from 10 am to 6 pm. A schedule of improvements to be completed by 2026 includes replacement of two water storage tanks, replacement of more than 6 miles of water lines and repair of creek crossings in the Malibu watershed. District 29 serves 20,000 residents through more than 7,500 connections, including 200-plus miles of pipeline in the distribution system. One primary water source fills 50 finished water storage tanks to meet peak demand for potable water in the district.
See Los Angeles County list of the drinking water notices, here. Scroll down to Water Alerts.
"Do not use advisories" issued for Palisades remain in effect. Residents are urged to use bottled water until further notice.
Bottled Water Distribution
Los Angeles County is distributing bottled water, as is LADWP, with distribution sites listed, here.
Check here for water distribution sites for the Foothill Municipal Water District, here.
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