By CRAIG CASSIDY
The Union Democrat
Del Oro Water Company officials have issued an emergency rationing order affecting 378 households in Strawberry connected to the company's system.
Customers were told to cease outdoor watering immediately.
A severe water shortage prompted the declaration, according to company spokeswoman Susan Howard.
The water level in Herring Creek — the Strawberry District's lone source of water — has almost fallen below the company's intake pipes, which deliver water to Del Oro's treatment plant.
Del Oro, based in Chico, ran into a similar predicament last July, when an unusually low snowpack left Herring Creek virtually dry. Residents received water when a temporary agreement was inked with Tuolumne Utilities District.
Company officials say they have attempted to find, to no avail, a permanent, additional source of water. The company specifically says it has examined drilling a well, but two test sites showed insufficient water supplies.
This year, Tuolumne Utilities District is working again to supply water out of the Stanislaus River. However, that requires permission from the Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
PG&E delivers water to TUD, which can then sell it to smaller agencies. However, TUD's agreement with PG&E allows water diversions only below Lyons Reservoir — well downstream of Strawberry.
Pumping water from the South Fork of the Stanislaus River requires gaining legal permission from PG&E, explained TUD General Manager Pete Kampa.
"We were notified of the probability (of a shortage) a while ago. Then I was notified a week ago that ... it's imminent," Kampa said, explaining it takes time to broker diversions above Lyons.
"We have been working diligently on this. But it's a new twist."
Del Oro plans to hold a public meeting for customers in the next few days. The time and location will be announced soon.
The company purchased the utility in 2006. It was formerly the Conlin-Strawberry Water Company.
Del Oro's customers consume, on average, 8,555 gallons of water per month, about 285 gallons a day, per household, according to the company.
