The Contractors should also include their public health and safety levels if not included in their water shortage contingency plans. Reclamation does not have specific criteria for public health and safety levels during a period of such severe water shortage. In times of such severe water shortage, Reclamation will work with the Contractors, the California State Department of Health Services and other appropriate State agencies to determine public health and safety levels. Currently, Reclamation considers the public health and safety level to be based on interior residential use, sanitation, and fire protection. This water shortage contingency plan along with the public health and safety levels should be updated every 5 years with the Water Conservation Plans.
Reclamation intends to remain flexible.
Reclamation will work with the Contractor, the California Department of Health Services and other State agencies to determine public health and safety levels of water allocation. Formal notification of water supply availability begins February 15 each year. Reclamation usually informally announces water availability in potentially dry water years sooner, such as January. Neither water allocations to Refuges or for fish and wildlife activities would be allowed to jeopardize public health and safety. Reclamation considers public health and safety levels to include interior residential use, sanitation, and fire protection.