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State Water Officials Preparing For What Could Be 3rd Dry Year In A Row

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— State water officials are taking no chances when it comes to the possibility of another dry year. Local water districts are being advised to prepare for the possibility that 2014 could be the third dry year in a row.

Meanwhile, water officials are keeping an eye on the weather patterns.

"We've now had two dry years: Water Year 2012 and Water Year 2013 and the science of seasonal climate prediction isn't good enough to tell us if 2014 will be wet, dry or average," said Jeanine Jones with the California Department of Water Resources.

The department will be holding workshops with water agencies of all sizes, but particularly smaller agencies.

"Small water systems, especially those in foothill areas where they're on fractured-rock ground water tend to be rather vulnerable to prolonged dry conditions," Jones said.

State Water Officials Preparing For What Could Be 3rd Dry Year In A Row

Water agencies tend to do their planning in the fall, and if agencies want to implement conservation programs in the event of a dry 2014, it's good to discuss that early.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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