“About 61,000 Novato residents will soon be urged to cut back
water usage 20 percent and guided to tools to help them do so
under an emergency water shortage ordinance adopted Tuesday night
by the North Marin Water District.”
“Sacramento’s drought police were out in force again Thursday,
cracking down on residents watering their lawns out of turn.
“Soon, the city plans to focus more on commercial users, city
Utilities Director Dave Brent told The Bee’s editorial board.
Good – it’s only fair that businesses, office parks and other
commercial customers are held accountable as well.”
“In the latest sign that California’s historic drought is having
a worsening impact on Silicon Valley, the region’s largest water
provider is putting in place unprecedented cutbacks this spring
on cities, farmers and its own efforts to recharge groundwater
supplies.”
“While the average single-family home in the East Bay Municipal
Utility District used 135 gallons of water per person per day
last year, Elizabeth Dougherty got by with just 30 gallons. The
lowest she’s hit: 20 gallons a day.”
“Contra Costa Water District customers are being asked to
voluntarily cut water use 15 percent this year, but they will not
face higher drought rates to penalize those who fall short, the
agency’s water board decided Wednesday.”
“With California facing its worst water shortage crisis in modern
history, Save Our Water – a partnership between the Association
of California Water Agencies(ACWA) and the California Department
of Water Resources(DWR) – has launched a ‘Californians Don’t
Waste’ Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign to bring
awareness to simple ways citizens can save water every day.
“In response to the continuing statewide drought, Otay Water
District’s Board of Directors last Friday declared a Level 1 –
Supply Watch Condition in which a 10 percent reduction of water
use is requested.”
From the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) staff
Switchboard blog, in a post by Frances Beinecke:
“California can withstand this drought—and the arid days ahead
brought on by climate change—if it expands water saving
measures. These solutions are already benefiting the state. Los
Angeles uses the same amount of water today as it did in 1970
despite adding 1 million people.
“Water efficiency, recycling, and other local supplies will
help California flourish in a drier future.
From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
“Every year, more than 10,000 gallons of water is wasted in homes
due to easy-to-fix leaks. Nationwide, household leaks add up to
more than 1 trillion gallons of water lost every year. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency is reminding homeowners of the
easy steps they can take to help save water in their communities
now and for future generations.
“In the parched San Joaquin Valley, water conservation on farms
and in households gets a lot of attention, but the region’s
industrial users are quietly taking steps to reduce their water
use, too.”
“Mayor Anthony Silva has agreed to participate in the ‘Mayor’s
Challenge for Water Conservation’ this April to help bring
attention to the issue of water conservation.”
“When it comes to the current drought, the North Coast is doing
its part, and ready to do more. …
“At 110 gallons per day, Humboldt County is on the good end of
the list. We use less water than the North Coast — 160 — and
less than the state average, 196.”
“Despite urgent calls for water conservation amid one of
California’s worst droughts, more than 255,000 homeowners and
businesses across the state can still use all the water they
want without paying higher bills.
“And nobody even knows how much water they are using.”
“Shawn Coburn farms land that holds senior water rights to the
giant Central Valley Project, rights that usually assure him
water. Not this year. …
“Coburn, 45, says his ranch near Dos Palos (Merced County) is
no water-guzzler. He uses buried irrigation. Computers tell him
how much moisture his plants lose each day.”
