Photo: AFP
Governor Newsom is issuing a dire warning for the California drought, calling on cities across the state to cut back on water.
There soon could be a ban on commercial law watering. Governor Newsom signed an executive order on Monday requiring the state’s largest water providers, including cities, water districts and private water companies, to put in place “level 2” of their water shortage contingency plans.“While we have made historic investments to protect our communities, economy and ecosystems from the worsening drought across the West, it is clear we need to do more,” Newsom said. “Today, I am calling on local water agencies to implement more aggressive water conservation measures.”
The contingency plans require limits on the number of days a week that residents can irrigate landscaping, to make up an overall water cut of 10% to 20%. In some areas of the state, level 2 also triggers higher rates or penalties for residents who use more than a set amount of water. The information specifics for each water provider are expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks.
Last July, Governor Newsom declared a drought emergency and asked urban California residents to voluntarily reduce water use 15% from 2020 levels.