Rainfall supports health of groundwater, District’s Sole source of drinking water
Thanks to recent storms, rainfall for the water year is approximately average for Scotts Valley Water District (SVWD).
As of January 31, SVWD weather station had registered about 21 inches of rain for the season and the weekend storm pushed that total to 24 inches. The average amount for the first four months of the water year (October through January) is 23 inches.
“While the recent storm has felt like a substantial amount of precipitation, the amount of rainfall in on-par the average for this time of year,” Scotts Valley Water District Manager Piret Harmon said.
During 2014, the driest year on record since SVWD started tracking in 1982, less than 2 inches of rain had fallen in Scotts Valley through the end of January. By comparison, the area received nearly 50 inches of rain during the same time in 2017 and ended that water year with just over 80 inches of rain.
The average annual rainfall in Scotts Valley is approximately 42 inches, measured from October 1 to September 30.
“There is so much variability from year to year,” Harmon said. “This always presents a challenge for the water agencies striving to run efficient operations.”
Groundwater is the sole source of drinking water for District customers. Groundwater supplies are replenished, or recharged, by rain that seeps down into the cracks and crevices beneath the land’s surface. On average, about 30 percent of rainfall percolates back down to recharge the aquifer.
The District encourages customers to use water wisely by watering three days a week or less, taking advantage of rebates, installing free water-saving devices and more. Visit www.svwd.org to learn more.
ABOUT SCOTTS VALLEY WATER
DISTRICT
Scotts Valley Water District is a public agency providing water service over
six square miles including most of the City of Scotts Valley and a portion of
the unincorporated areas north of the city limits. The community of Scotts
Valley places a high value on livability, innovation and planning for the
future. Scotts Valley Water District is proud to play a vital role in
supporting those efforts by providing a reliable, sustainable, high-quality
water supply. Through partnership
with our community, strategic investment in resources and pursuit of new ideas,
Scotts Valley Water District is redefining its historic role in order to meet
future challenges and turn them into opportunities. Learn more at www.svwd.org, www.facebook.com/svwater or www.instagram.com/scottsvalleywaterdistrict/.