California IN BRIEF : SANTA CLARA : U. S. Water Officials Make Allocation

Federal water officials have agreed to give Santa Clara County a “hardship” allocation of Central Valley water, but it still won’t be enough to make up for the drought-caused shortage. “I think it’s better than a sharp stick in the eye . . . but I’m disappointed it’s not higher,” said Robert Gross, chairman of the Santa Clara Valley Water District board of directors. District officials said the federal allocation makes up about a fourth of the drought-caused shortage. The rest will have to be purchased from the state’s drought emergency water bank at a cost of up to $6.6 million. Purchasing more water will increase consumer bills by an undetermined amount.