The governor on Thursday also expanded his regional drought state of emergency to apply to 50 California counties, or roughly 42% of the state’s population. Newsom‘s regional emergency order instead provides a path for the State Water Resources Control Board to mandate potentially unpopular water restrictions. Maviglio said it makes sense for Newsom to ask Californians to voluntarily reduce their water consumption before ordering them to do so. Newsom said the State Water Resources Control Board and the Department of Water Resources will track progress toward the voluntarily 15% reduction and decide whether further measures are necessary. of California Water Agencies and the California Department of Water Resources to encourage water conservation, for tips on how to reduce usage.

Source: Los Angeles Times July 08, 2021 19:07 UTC