The Santa Clara Valley Water District may soon implement more water restrictions after calls to conserve have failed to reach a 20 percent reduction goal.
Water officials said South Bay residents have only managed to cut back use by 12 percent since February. The district's board on Tuesday held a meeting to discuss other ways to save water.
"I'm not surprised," San Jose-resident Amanda Fuehrer said of the local conservation numbers. "I know in these apartments you have to run water for 10 minutes to warm up so you are forced to waste that water."
The Santa Clara Valley Water District's groundwater supply is down to nearly a 100,000 acre feet after one of the driest seasons on record. The board is considering a more aggressive approach to saving water, including an option to implement tiered rates and requiring those who use the most water to shell out more dollars.
"There are things we look at, such as the rates we charge," said Garth Hall of the Santa Clara Valley Water District. "And do we have to increase the rates to cover our own costs."
Number since February show the San Jose Water Company saved 11 percent, Sunnyvale residents conserved 13 percent and Morgan Hill residents led the pack in the South Bay by cutting back 15 percent.
