The winter weather did little to replenish the California water supply and the state is moving into more severe drought conditions.
California Governor Jerry Brown has issued an executive order mandating substantial water reductions across the state. The Governor has directed the State Water Resources Control Board to implement mandatory 25 percent reductions in water usage in cities and towns.
Agricultural users which have already idled thousands of acres will be required to report more water use information to state regulators; this will increase the state’s ability to enforce illegal diversions and waste. The Governor’s action strengthens standards for Agricultural Water Management Plans submitted by large agricultural water districts and requires smaller districts to develop similar plans. The order takes action against water agencies in depleted groundwater basins that have not shared data with the state. It also makes permanent the monthly reporting of water usage, conservation and enforcement by local water suppliers.
On the non-farm side: No ornamental grass on public street medians will be watered. The state will replace 50 million square feet of lawns throughout the state with drought-tolerant landscaping. Campuses, golf courses, cemeteries and other large landscapers are ordered to make significant cuts in water usage. New homes and developments will be prohibited from irrigating with potable water unless drip irrigation systems are used.