Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in California, which will allow for the use of more water to be diverted from other areas. The declaration comes after months of low rainfall and low snowpack levels, leading to an increase in agricultural water usage.
The emergency drought proclamation is a statement from the Governor of California declaring a state-wide emergency and expanding it to all areas.
Californians are urged to redouble their efforts to save water.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation on Oct. 19 extending the drought emergency statewide and urging Californians to step up their water conservation efforts as the western United States faces a potential third dry year. Following the second driest year on record and near-record low storage in California’s largest reservoirs, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation extending the drought emergency statewide and urging Californians to step up their water conservation efforts as the western United States faces
The proclamation strengthens conservation efforts by allowing the State Water Resources Control Board to prohibit wasteful water practices such as using potable water to wash sidewalks and roads.
To preserve water supplies and support local conservation requirements, the Governor issued an executive order in July asking for Californians to voluntarily decrease water usage by 15% by 2020. The Governor’s move comes as the California Water Resources Control Board reported that in August, the state cut urban water consumption by 5% compared to 2020.
We’re going to get through this together, Atascadero
“As the western United States prepares for a possible third year of drought, it’s essential that Californians throughout the state redouble our efforts to save water in every manner imaginable,” Governor Newsom stated. “The state is working to safeguard our people, businesses, and ecosystems from the immediate effects of the drought emergency while also developing long-term water resilience to assist the state face the challenge of climate change impacts that are making droughts more frequent and severe.”
Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, and Ventura counties were not previously included in the drought state of emergency. Local water providers must also develop water scarcity contingency plans that are sensitive to local circumstances and prepare for the likelihood of a third dry year, according to the decree.
California has developed comprehensive water conservation public education programs in collaboration with stakeholders, including public water agencies, as part of its Save Our Water effort, which was a key resource during the previous drought.
Between 2013 and 2016, statewide per capita residential water consumption decreased by 21%, and by 2020, the urban sector will be consuming about 16% less water than it did in 2013. The Administration will continue to monitor the drought’s progress and assess all available options to react in real time.
California is suffering from its worst drought since the late 1800s, as shown by a lack of precipitation and extreme heat. Since reporting started, August 2021 has been the driest and warmest August on record, while the water year that concluded last month was the second driest on record. The Governor’s Office of Disaster Services is authorized to offer help and funds under the California Disaster Assistance Act to support emergency response and water supply for public health and safety.
California’s Comeback Plan spends $5.2 billion over three years to help with immediate drought relief and long-term water resiliency. $815 million for emergency drought relief projects to secure and expand water supplies, drought contingency planning, and multi-benefit land repurposing projects; support for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, with a focus on small and disadvantaged communities; implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act to improve water supply security and quality; and projects to improve water supply security and quality.
More information about the state’s drought response, as well as public information tools, may be found at drought.ca.gov/.
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In California, Governor Jerry Brown has expanded the drought emergency to cover the entire state. The new Drought Emergency Declaration will allow for more water conservation efforts and will also increase funding for local agencies that are struggling with the effects of a severe drought. Reference: ca drought emergency counties.
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