"It has been one of, if not the driest winters on record," said Jim Pecsi, general manager of Foothill Municipal Water in La Cañada.
According to Pecsi, the water supply is not in danger yet, but if we have another dry winter, the summer will be extremely severe. For that reason it is important to conserve now.
"Conservation is always a good thing," Pesci said.
Hot, dry summers may be more the norm than not in California's future.
In a recent study released by JPL's Patzert, Steve LaDochy, of California State University and Richard Median, a doctoral candidate at the University of Utah, the average temperature of California has risen five degrees. The team analyzed data from more than 330 weather stations and found great variations in temperature patterns throughout the state. Average temperatures increased in almost 54 percent of the stations studied.
According to Patzert, the increase is two-thirds surface makeover (landscaping and building development) and one-third is caused by radiation from above or global warming.
The warm days will mean more utility usage for air conditioning and, of course, more demand for water.
"One of the biggest usages of water is residential landscaping," Pecsi said.
Residents can conserve by using water-saving devices such as "smart" sprinkler controllers or weather based irrigation controllers, Pecsi said.
"This can actually save 40 gallons of water a day," Pecsi said. "It will pay for itself over the course of two years."
Another way to save water in a landscape is to plant California-friendly vegetation. Descanso Gardens understands the hot future and the experts there are planting accordingly.
"We really are making a concerted effort to use more plantings that are climate appropriate," said Avery Econome, public relations director at Descanso, where there is a native garden that was designed by Theodore Payne. According to Econome, Descanso is looking at all areas where native plants can be introduced to help cut back on irrigation demands.
Pesci agreed that planting native vegetation at home is important, as is using common sense when using water appliances.
"High [demand] is in the mornings when people are getting ready for work and in the evening when they return home," Pesci said. He suggested La Cañadans use water-based appliances like dishwashers and washing machines after 7 p.m.
"Anything you can do to help smooth out the demand it would help shave some off the peak hours," Pesci said.
For more information on conserving water go online to www.bewaterwise.com
