California Governor Gavin Newsom extended the statewide drought emergency declaration on Tuesday and urged residents to conserve water at the critical level of storage in state reservoirs.
"As the western United States faces a potential third year of drought, it
is crucial that Californians across the state redouble their efforts to save water in every way possible
," Governor Newsom said in a statement.
The order, which authorizes state boards to ban water waste, adds Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco and Ventura counties to the initial proclamation.
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In this area image from May 2021, when summer had not yet started, Lake Oroville, the second largest reservoir in California, can be seen at less than half its capacity, providing drinking water to more than 25 million people. PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP via Getty Images
Specifically, the order allows the State Water Resources Control Board to
prohibit wasteful water practices, including the use of potable water to wash sidewalks and driveways
.
Newsom's decision comes now that California is experiencing the second driest year on record and facing the threat of the La Niña weather phenomenon.
The governor had issued an executive order in July
asking residents to voluntarily reduce
water use by 15% from 2020 to protect water supplies.
But in August, according to data from the Board, the reduction was only 5% compared to last year.
Although Californians have learned to conserve the resource in the last decade.
Per capita residential water use statewide fell 21% between 2013 and 2016, and as of 2020, the urban sector is using roughly 16% less on average than in 2013, according to official data.
The state has launched a series of campaigns that teach how to save water in a practical and simple way.
California residents are asked to reduce their water consumption in the face of drought and fires
Sept.
28, 202101: 55
The order also requires local water providers to implement contingency plans according to local conditions and prepare for the possibility of a third year of drought.
Newsom reiterated in his proclamation that water scarcity is
a consequence of climate change
that "makes droughts more common and more severe."
California is experiencing its worst drought since the late 1800s driven by both a lack of rainfall and high temperatures on record.
August 2021 was the driest and hottest in recorded history.
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The proclamation issued Tuesday also authorizes the Governor's Office of Emergency Services to provide assistance and funding to support the emergency response and the delivery of clean water.