On Monday, Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom said after a meeting with several water agencies that mandatory water restrictions are on the table as he grows impatient in trying to curb water usage during the ongoing drought the state faces.
Newsom told water suppliers and water associations to begin getting aggressive at telling consumers to help do their part in protecting the Golden State’s water supply. The message was released from the Office of Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The state is asking Californians to do the following from their statement to save water:
- “Limiting outdoor watering – cutting back by even just one day a week can save you up to 20% more water.
- Taking shorter showers. Going to a 5 minute shower to save up to 12.5 gallons per shower when using a water-efficient shower head.
- Taking showers instead of baths – a bath uses up to 2.5 times the amount of water as a shower.
- Using a broom instead of a hose to clean outdoor areas to save 6 gallons of water every minute.
- Washing full loads of clothes to save 15-45 gallons of water per load.”
“Every water agency across the state needs to take more aggressive actions to communicate about the drought emergency and implement conservation measures,” said Newsom. “Californians made significant changes since the last drought but we have seen an uptick in water use, especially as we enter the summer months. We all have to be more thoughtful about how to make every drop count.”
Last year, Newsome told Californians to quit using as much water by fixing leaking pipes, taking shorter showers and watering their lawn less. Since his statement in July, the state has failed to lower its water usage by 15%.
The State Water Resources Control Board is expected to vote on a banning watering of AstroTurf in all commercial and public sectors on Wednesday. They are also creating plans to further restrictions on urban areas of California.
Newsom won the recall election against him in September and is currently running for his second term in California. He told the SF Chronicle last Friday that he has no intention to run for President in 2024 against Biden.
Do you think Gavin Newsom is right to threaten mandatory restrictions on water usage? Let us know your thoughts.
