Our Water Account is Overdrawn – Beyond Conservation: Achieving Drought Resilience

Limited interdistrict water transfers have been achieved and serve as proof of concept. _X_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Required Response from the City Council, City of Watsonville Exhibit “A” Our Water Account Is Overdrawn Due by August 22, 2022

Agency communications to the public emphasize conservation and sustainability while downplaying agency planning to achieve drought resilience. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE _X_ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Water conservation and sustainability are both significant components that help communities become more resilient. The City of Watsonville communicates regularly with its community and meets regularly with local public water agencies to discuss its water. We highlight our water resources through local events such as Day of the Child, World Wetlands Day (in partnership with Watsonville Wetlands Watch) and Coastal Cleanups. The City of Watsonville’s programs of water use efficiency have effectively lowered the gallons per capita per day of water consumption, allowing the water system to maintain a flat level of water production, despite changing populations. For areas outside City limits, the City has continued its nearly twenty-year working relationship with the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PV Water) to focus on sustainable drought resiliency for the agricultural community. Continued agency collaboration within the Pajaro Valley groundwater basin, combined with residential and commercial programs aimed at conservation will continue this trend towards resiliency. Required Response from the City Council, City of Watsonville Exhibit “A” Our Water Account Is Overdrawn Due by August 22, 2022