Green Talk #5 Summary
👋 Welcome to Green Talk #5 featuring Michael Martin and Cindy Torres from Valley Water, the Santa Clara Valley water district.
About Valley Water
💧 Valley Water is a public agency established by state law, covering all of Santa Clara County. It focuses on:
- Water Supply: Wholesale water supplier for the county.
- Groundwater Management: Manages two groundwater basins.
- Flood Protection: Responsible for flood protection and ecosystem stewardship.
History and Development
📜 Valley Water was established in 1929 to manage groundwater loss. Key developments include:
- Constructed 5 reservoirs in the 1930s for water capture.
- Built 4 dams in the 1950s to combat groundwater loss.
- Imported water from the Sacramento Delta starting in the 1960s.
Current Water Supply
🌊 Currently, over 50% of water is imported, with 30% from local sources. Key statistics include:
- 40% of water used comes from groundwater.
- Over 200 percolation ponds and 10 reservoirs support water supply.
Water Conservation Efforts
🌱 Cindy Torres discussed the importance of water conservation, highlighting:
- Conservation saves money and ensures stable water supply.
- Programs include rebates for high-efficiency devices and landscape surveys.
- Valley Water has received over 15,000 orders for water-saving devices since April 2021.
Future Projects
🔮 Valley Water is planning for future water needs with strategies including:
- Securing existing supplies and infrastructure.
- Expanding conservation and reuse programs.
- Optimizing the water system for efficiency.
Stewardship Projects
🌍 Valley Water has implemented projects to improve water quality and habitat, including:
- Trash booms to capture debris in streams.
- Fish habitat improvements in local creeks.
- Flood protection projects to prevent future flooding.
Conclusion
👩🏫 Thank you for attending! For more information on water conservation programs, visit Watersavings.org.