California approves permanent water restrictions due to climate change
For the first time in its history, California is imposing permanent water restrictions, which officials are blaming on climate change.
The State Water Resources Control Board unanimously approved the restrictions on Wednesday, which will require California’s major water suppliers to scale back water provisions over the next 15 years. As early as 2027, some suppliers will have to cut their water distribution to households by as much as 30%. Those who do not meet their benchmarks will be fined $10,000 a day until they do.
Water providers will be permitted to use any method they want to force Californians to cut back on water, reported the San Francisco Chronicle. They can raise rates, restrict the water supply, or incentivize purchases of water-saving appliances through rebates.
Poorer communities to be disprorportionately affected
Rather than impose standard restrictions across the state, the new mandate, called “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life,” will be tailored to each area. Officials will impose higher or lower restrictions based on a city’s or community’s history of water consumption, climate, and land use. Residents of the Bay Area, for example, whose moderate climate and limited landscaping has required less water consumption, will face lower restrictions.
Some water providers will be forced to cut back their water supply by 45% to 58% over 13 years, which San Juan Water District General Manager Paul Helliker says will disproportionately affect poorer inland communities.
California officials express excitement
“Conservation is a critical part of California’s strategy to adapt to a hotter, drier future,” said State Water Resources Control Board Chair Joaquin Esquivel. “Our climate has changed. Our uses should match the hydrology that we’re now facing.”
Esquivel also expressed excitement over the new mandate.
"Today is an exciting and historic moment for California because we have now formalized water conservation as a way of life," he said in a press release. "We've done this by building on lessons learned from drought and extensive input from water systems, customers and the public. The result balances saving water with making sure that suppliers have the flexibility they need to tailor their conservation strategies to local needs and climate."
According to projections, the mandate will reduce usage by 500,000 acre-feet of water by 2040, the amount used by approximately 1.4 million households. Officials say the regulation is expected to cost water suppliers $4.7 billion by 2050.
Not restrictive enough, say climate change radicals
Climate change activists, however, feel the mandate does not go far enough. Dr. Mark Gold, who serves as the director of water scarcity solutions and environmental health for the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), warns the new restrictions will not cover the state’s water scarcity.
“The regulation does not meet the moment of growing water scarcity in California,” said Gold. “A strong regulation will exist in 2040, but that’s 15 years from now and there’s going to be a heck of a lot of water scarcity over that period.”
California has suffered two droughts in the last decade, which the State government is blaming on climate change. Its Department of Water Resources predicts a 10% water shortfall by 2040 on the assumption that climate change is and will continue to be a factor.
