Golden State Browns Under Drought

The April 1 announcement by California Governor Jerry Brown was no April Fool’s joke. Two weeks ago, he ordered mandatory water-use reductions for the first time in the state’s history, saying the state’s four-year drought had reached near-crisis proportions after a winter of record-low snowfalls. California has about one year of water stored.

 The executive order also instructs water authorities to raise rates on heavy water users. The head of the State Water Resources Control Board said it would leave it to local water providers to decide how to enforce the reductions on homeowners and businesses. Most of the restrictions would be aimed at the outdoor use of water; many communities already have imposed water restrictions on lawns and gardens. State regulators don’t know how many agencies statewide have imposed restrictions nor how well water districts are enforcing their conservation measures. Agencies now are required to report enforcement and compliance action.

California’s foodservice industry will operate under new rules, which direct restaurants to serve water only on request and prohibit landscape irrigation during and for 48 hours after measurable rainfall.