State Regulators Consider New Water Limits As Calif. Misses Water-Saving Goal By Double Digits
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CBSSacramento.com/AP) - California water regulators are considering sweeping restrictions to enforce Gov. Jerry Brown's drought conservation order.
The State Water Resources Control Board is taking up a proposal Tuesday that would set unprecedented limits and create new regulations to save water. It follows Brown's executive order to protect water supplies in the fourth year of drought.
In the past nine months, California cut water use by 8.6 percent -- a long way from the 20 percent voluntary reductions Brown had requested. Of the more than 400 water districts in the state, about a third still don't limit the number of days people can water their lawns.
The board's estimated gallons of water used per person, per day are as follows:
- Folsom 130
- Lodi 107
- Galt 105
- Sacramento (city) 86
- Davis 80
- Elk Grove 78
- Roseville 62
Compared to March, 2013, the city of Sacramento in March 2014 cut its water use by 13 percent. Statewide, that number was about four percent.
Under the rules, cities could not use drinking-quality water for grass on street medians, and homeowners are encouraged to let their lawns go brown to meet their community's mandatory water-reduction target.
The local water targets have drawn the most attention, with some cities blasting them as unrealistic and unfair. They call for cities to cut water consumption by as much as 36 percent compared to 2013.
The regulations would take effect in June if approved.
<em>(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or Redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)</em>
