Carlsbad faces critical water situation

From the Carlsbad Current-Argus - CARLSBAD — Carlsbad is approaching a critical water situation. The city is close to exceeding its 10-year, 10,200 acre-feet water right set by the state, said City Administrator Harry Burgess. "Stage two water restrictions could be implemented in the coming months even though the city's well field that provides water for the community is relatively stable," Burgess said. "We are projecting, through the end of the year, usage of 9,900 acre-feet. That's if we can get people to cut back on water usage," Burgess said. "The city has an ordinance that requires by this time that we have seven months of history and projections for the next five months using the 10-year average to calculate if we will exceed our water right. "At present, we have a small cushion. But if we continue at the extra high utilization rate we have been seeing this year, it's very likely that we will hit that (10,200 acre feet water right) within the next two months." Burgess said with Carlsbad reportedly entering day 60 of temperatures of 100 degrees and above and very little moisture since September, it is understandable why many residents are pouring more water on their lawns and shrubs. However, he is urging everyone to cut back on their water usage. Read more