California Drought: State Approves Sweeping Restrictions On Water Use

http://bit.ly/1zfNXza Californians are looking for ways to conserve water as they enter a fourth year of severe drought. The California State Water Resources Control Board voted Tuesday to expand emergency regulations to protect its remaining water supplies. The Golden State is approaching the end of its rainy season, December through April, with record-low rainfall and its worst drought in recorded history. “If conditions continue as they are likely to over the next two weeks, we’ll have less than half of the previous lowest reading,” Doug Carlson, a spokesman for the California Department of Water Resources, told Yahoo News. “Emergency regulations only have a shelf life of 270 days. The regulations passed in July of 2014 would have expired on April 25 of this year. [But] it is anticipated that the board will act,” George Kostyrko, a spokesman for the board, said in an interview with Yahoo News. As before, urban water customers will not be able to overwater, use their sprinklers in the rain or wash off sidewalks with water. Outdoor landscape watering is prohibited within 48 hours of rain. The board is starting to collect data on what kinds of fines or actions have been taken against customers who have flouted the rules. According to the Associated Press, the majority of local water departments had been unwilling to discipline offenders. New regulations say that large water providers must have contingency plans in case of emergencies. Also, restaurants will not be allowed to provide patrons with water unless they ask for a glass. Hotels will be required to put up placards in customers’ rooms giving them the option to forgo having their towels and linens cleaned. http://yhoo.it/1wXUBx0