California is currently in the midst of a five year severe drought. The California State Water Resources Control Board (the State Water Board) manages the existing water supplies, ensuring all water users needs are being met during the drought. 

State Water Board Adopts a "Stress Test" approach to Water Conservation Regulations

In May 2016, the State Water Board voted to revise the water conservation standards, which required water suppliers to reduce water use by a certain state mandated percentage.  To replace the mandated percentage reductions, the State Water Board introduced a new requirement for local suppliers to apply a "stress test" and set water-saving targets based on anticipated water shortfalls over the next three years. 

Although California is still in an emergency drought situation, State officials recognize that water supply conditions have improved and as a result drought regulations were revised, effective June 2016 through January 2017. 

The City of Buena Park completed the Stress Test and submitted the required documents to the State Water Board.  Under the new regulations, California's wholesale water agencies are also required to calculate water supplies that they anticipate will be delivered to member agencies.   The City of Buena Park relied on calculations performed by the Municipal Water District of Orange County to determine the available supply of imported water for the Reliability Stress Test calculations. The Stress Test resulted in a zero percent standard for the City of Buena Park.

City of Buena Park Self-Certification supporting documentation:

• Water Conservation Self-Certification Analysis

The City of Buena Park would like to respectfully ask our customers to continue their water conservation efforts and to use water wisely, thoughtfully and efficiently. 

For more information on the California drought, State Water Board Conservation Standards and press releases, please visit The Drought page to the left. 

Due to the improvement in water supplies, The City of Buena Park declared a Phase I Water Supply Shortage condition on July 12th, 2016, which allows irrigation up to three days per week. 

Gardens are an important part of our lifestyle in Southern California where our Mediterranean climate favors outdoor activities throughout the year.  However, gardens frequently uses more than 50% of the water consumption in a home, which makes them great places to focus on for substantial water savings.  The "New Norm" refers to the idea of beautiful, water efficient and sustainable outdoor landscapes, stretching the available water supply further.  If you are interested in learning more, please enjoy our short introduction:  "Introducing the New Norm".

The City of Buena Park would like to extend our gratitude to our residents and businesses that helped achieve our state mandated conservation goal.  It continues to be important to use water efficiently and we appreciate all your water conservation efforts.  

Making just a few small changes to our daily habits can often result in big water savings!  

FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR WATER SAVING TIPS AND IDEAS, PLEASE VISIT THE CONSERVATION RESOURCES PAGE!

TO REPORT WATER WASTE PLEASE CALL (714) 562 - 3655       
Please state the location, the time and the day of the observed water waste.  

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