Editorial: Calif. urban water users must get serious about conservation
Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the March 9, 2015, San Jose Mercury News.
California is in the midst of its fourth consecutive drought year, and based on a new study by Stanford scientists, it appears to be a long-time weather pattern. The December downpours were just a nice distraction.
The state has to get serious about conserving water. Suggestions are not enough.
Emergency regulations proposed earlier this month by the State Water Resources Board staff would be a start, but permanent regulations are needed, and communities, at least region by region, need to be on the same page as to how to accomplish goals. Regulation by the state can help enormously by shoring up local programs like the one the Santa Clara Valley Water District is discussing this month.