Friday Top of the Scroll: Gavin Newsom’s drought strategy is a major departure from Jerry Brown’s mandatory water cuts. It’s not working
[Gov. Gavin Newsom], despite the state facing a third year of exceptional drought conditions, has refused to follow in Brown’s footsteps by mandating that all residents cut their water use. The governor has instead repeatedly called on Californians to voluntarily conserve, and has allowed the state’s 436 local water agencies to create their own plans to prepare for impending water shortages…. Newsom’s pleas for residents to voluntarily conserve have flopped. Last July, he called for people to cut water use by 15%. But consumption has soared in recent months — urban water use rose by 17.6% in April and 18.9% in March over the prior year.
Related articles:
- CBS Los Angeles: Additional water restrictions placed into effect as California drought continues to worsen
- KPBS: Tightening water restrictions lead more San Diegans to replace their lawns
- Patch – Malibu: Mandatory Water Conservation Now In Effect In Malibu Due To Drought Conditions
- Bay City News: Contra Costa Water District imposes drought surcharge to encourage conservation
- KFSN – Fresno: Huron officials enforcing strict ‘no watering’ restrictions
- Benito Link: Q&A - San Benito County water conservation manager discusses enforcement, fines