NEW – Effective May 1, 2022!
Emergency Drought Condition Water Reduction Policy Resolution
Emergency Drought Condition Water Reduction Handout
Visit saveourwater.com for more ways to save water.
Get to Know Your Water Supply
Residing at the base of the majestic slopes of Mount Shasta, so often blanketed in snow, there is a common misperception that our City’s water supply is endless. While many residents take pride knowing our water supply is pure, untreated and gravity fed spring water, it is limited. In fact, recent data indicate the City’s primary water source, Cold Springs, may be particularly vulnerable to drought. To learn more, click here.
Watch our Water Supply video
Do You Know Your Water?
Three Water Talks were conducted in 2015 that were focused on Water Conservation Strategies:
March 10th 2015: Preparing the Mt. Shasta Community for Drought
Learn about the severity of the drought in California, how our City water infrastructure works, and the new water projects being implemented this year.
Presentations:
→ Geoff Harkness, Mayor, City of Mt. Shasta
→ William Croyle, Department of Water Resources
→ Rod Bryan, City of Mt. Shasta
→ Paul Reuter, PACE Engineering
May 21st 2015: Beat the Drought: Water Conservation Inside and Outside
Join local and regional experts to learn about innovative ways to improve your water use efficiency both inside and outside of your residence or business.
Presentations:
→ Introduction by Meadow Fitton
→ Dylan Coleman, Wonderland Water Systems
→ Shawn Powell, City of Mt. Shasta
→ Julie Joki, Certified Master Gardener
→ Leslie Tift, Native Plants Specialist
October 21st 2015: Drought Policy Conversation
Join City staff and State experts in a facilitated community brainstorm on the best drought policies.
Presentations:
→ Introduction by Meadow Fitton
→ Curtis Paget, PACE Engineering
→ Dave Todd, Department of Water Resources
→ Geoff Harkness, City of Mt. Shasta
This special Water Talks series was co-sponsored by the City of Mt. Shasta and funded by a grant from the Department of Water Resources. For more information, download the flyer (PDF, 46 Mb), or visit californiawatertalks.org.
2015 Drought Projects
The City is very fortunate to have received a $4.2 million grant from the California State Department of Water Resources to implement two projects in 2015 that will help the City conserve water and meet the City’s water needs into the future. The Water Supply Line Replacement project will replace the only supply pipeline from Cold Springs to the City. The Water Meter Installation project will install water meters on all water connections served by the City including residential, commercial and industrial units.
The City of Mt. Shasta is a member of the Upper Sacramento, McCloud and Lower Pit Integrated Regional Water Management Group (Upper Sac IRWMG). Participation with the Upper Sac IRWMG is what made the City eligible to apply for the Department of Water Resources Integrated Regional Water Management grant. This financing is part of the SAFE DRINKING WATER, WATER QUALITY AND SUPPLY, FLOOD CONTROL, RIVER AND COASTAL PROTECTION BOND ACT OF 2006 (Proposition 84). To learn more about the Upper Sac IRWM visit uppersacirwm.org.
Water Supply Line Replacement Project
The City will be installing approximately 8,600 feet of new 12-inch water main from Cold Springs down McCloud Road to Adams Street. A new pressure reducing station will be installed just east of Madison Drive along McCloud Road. In addition, we will install approximately 900 feet of new 12-inch water main between Quail Hill Drive and the City’s Quail Hill Tanks. A new altitude valve will be installed at the Quail Hill Tank Site. This project will replace the old riveted steel pipeline that has exceeded its useful life, and which has been prone to leaks. In addition, relocating the spring supply pipeline into McCloud Road will make the pipeline easier to access for routine monitoring and maintenance. The new alignment will provide a direct hydraulic link between the City’s Tank No. 4, located at Cold Springs, to the water distribution system. This affords more effective use of Tank No. 4 and the Cold Springs supply for use during peak demands and emergencies, such as fires.
Water Meters Installation Project
The City will install approximately 1,600 new water meters on all existing service connections. The proposed water meters are automatic-read type, capable of transitting consumption data when requested to do so. Due to the concern by some local citizens regarding radio frequency (RF) waves emitted by the meters, the City performed extensive research of the available technologies in order to select a system that has negligible RF impacts. As such, the iPerl meter by Sensus was approved by the City. The meter employs “passive listening” technology such that does not emit RF while waiting for a “wake-up” signal to convey data. The meters will convey consumption data over a 1/10 second span once every month, or billing cycle when a reading device is within range. The addition of water meters is expected to reduce system-wide consumption by 20% to 30%. Consumption data will allow the water customer to evaluate and manage water use which is expected to lead to conservation, and allow the City to comply with legislative requirements set to go in affect in 2025.
Water Conservation Tips
Living in such a beautiful area as Mt. Shasta, we can sometimes forget that conservation of our natural resources is important. We share our community with other people, wildlife and vegetation, and responsible consumption of these natural, and not unlimited, resources is both conscientious and appropriate.
Here are ten tips for saving water—a natural resource that should hold more value than gasoline because it is vital to life.
- Water your lawn ONLY when it needs it. Set your sprinklers for more days in between watering. (Saves 750-1,500 gallons per month) In times of drought, use a hose.
- Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints. (Saves 20 gallons per day per leak stopped.)
- Don’t run the hose while washing your car. Place a spray fixture on your hose so the water won’t run continuously. Use a bucket of water and a quick hose rinse at the end. (Saves 150 gallons each time.)
- Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors in your home. (Saves 500-800 gallons per month.)
- Run only FULL loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. (Saves 300-800 gallons per month.)
- Shorten your showers. (A one or two minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons per month.)
- Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. (Saves 150 gallons or more each time.)
- Don’t use your toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. (Saves 400-600 gallons per month.)
- Capture tap water. While you wait for hot water (or colder water) to come through the pipes, catch the flow in a watering can to use later on house plants or your garden. (Saves 200-300 gallons per month.)
- Don’t water the sidewalks, driveway or gutter. Adjust your sprinklers so that water lands on your lawn or garden where it belongs—and only there. (Saves 500 gallons per month.)