The Santa Clara Valley Water District is voting today (Tuesday) on a resolution calling for 15 percent mandatory reduction in water use.

Water district staff told board members this morning that heavy rains in February and early March were not enough to reverse three years of drought in the region.

Palo Alto, which receives Hetch Hetchy water through the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, would not be affected by the water district's action although the city is already under a 10 percent voluntary reduction. Part of Mountain view receives water from the district.

As of March 16, San Jose has received 11 inches of rain, 90 percent of the average, according to a water district memo.

Reservoirs in Santa Clara County are at 65 percent of capacity, according to water district staff.

Because the district does not have the authority to enforce these restrictions, staff members must work with water retailers and the county's 15 cities and towns to determine exactly how this resolution would affect residents.

— Bay City News Service