Valley Water Board Chair John L. Varela statement on Feb. 1 snowpack survey

February 01, 2023

It’s encouraging to see the statewide snowpack at such high levels. We hope this snow slowly melts in spring and fills our state’s reservoirs.

While our water supply outlook has greatly improved, it’s too soon to say that the drought is over and end mandatory water conservation in Santa Clara County. We need to wait until the end of the rainy season in early April before we know how our water supplies will look for the rest of the year.

Once this drought ends, we know another one will impact us in the future. That’s why it’s important to make water conservation a way of life in Santa Clara County.

Valley Water manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County's 2 million residents. The district effectively manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 285 acres of groundwater recharge ponds and 333 miles of waterways. We provide wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to homes and businesses in Santa Clara County.