Sacramento enacts strict water restrictions as water levels plummet
L.A. Times
The Sacramento City Council on Tuesday ordered those who live and work in the city to reduce their water use amid historically low water levels on the American River and a discouraging forecast.
Described as a "Stage 2 water shortage plan," the new rules require those who live and work in the city to reduce the water use by 20% to 30%, the Sacramento Bee reported.
The move came one day after Gov. Jerry Brown told reporters in Fresno on Monday that his administration would soon declare that California is officially in the midst of a drought.
A recent survey of the snow pack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains found the state’s water reserves are at just 20% of normal levels. Other measures have declared 2013 to be the driest year in California history.
LINK: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-sacramento-enacts-water-restrictions-20140115,0,5577447.story#axzz2qa3hNMoq
In other news, the City of St. Helena, in Napa County, declared a phase 1 water emergency January 15th. Phase 1 is voluntary conservation, but the city council could call for madatory rationing on Jan, 28th. According to the Napa VAller Register:
It also requires new development to be “water-neutral,” a condition the city has been enforcing anyway.
City staff will return to the council on Jan. 28 with more data and recommendations on whether to declare a Phase II emergency. Phase II would impose mandatory rationing of 65 gallons per person per day.
http://napavalleyregister.com/star/news/local/st-helena-council-declares-water-emergency/article_f07f1f46-7e0d-11e3-849f-0019bb2963f4.html