Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday issued an executive order calling on local water suppliers to put into effect stronger water conservation measures.
The order requires that urban water suppliers activate “Level 2" of local contingency plans. That means preparing for a water shortage of up to 20-percent. The order also includes actions to address increased well drilling in California’s Central Valley and directs state water officials to consider a ban on watering decorative grasses at businesses and public properties as well as other steps that could be taken.
The San Diego County Water Authority has been at Level 1 of water use contingency plan. The plans include up to six levels of action, depending on the severity of water supplies At Level 2, local suppliers can reduce the number of days that residents can water outdoors, among other things. Level 3 would be triggered by a 20% to 30% shortage and require stronger actions.
Gov. Newsom's order follows the latest U.S. Drought Monitor update late last week which showed that nearly all of California is under severe or extreme drought conditions.
(Photo Getty Images)