What the State Can Do in a Drought Emergency
Newsom’s drought emergency proclamation directs the California State Water Board to consider modifying requirements for reservoir releases and diversion limitations in order to conserve water upstream later in the year and maintain water supply, improve water quality, and protect cold water pools for salmon and steelhead. The order also moves to speed up the review and processing of water transfers so that water can go to areas where it is needed most.
In addition, state agencies are partnering with local water suppliers to promote water conservation. Some municipalities have also implemented mandatory and voluntary water-saving measures. Officials from the California Natural Resources Agency directed residents to limit outdoor watering, take shorter showers, and turn off the water when brushing their teeth or doing the dishes, all orders reminiscent of the drought that racked the state in the mid-2010s.
