Tag Archive for: Diminishing water supplies

Lawn Watering Crackdown Coming to Santa Clara County as Drought Worsens?

Concerned about diminishing water supplies this summer and a failure of the public to hit conservation targets, Santa Clara County’s largest water agency is moving forward with plans to ask the county’s 2 million residents to water landscaping no more than two days a week, down from the current three days.

Last June, the Santa Clara Valley Water District declared a drought emergency and asked the public to cut water use 15% compared to 2019 levels. But in February, amid record-dry conditions, South Bay residents ignored that request, cranking up sprinklers and increasing water use countywide by 23%.

Opinion: Seed Funding Needed for Major Water Recycling Project in Southern California

The Colorado is the second largest river that California depends on, second only to the Sacramento. Its enormous challenges tend to fall into the policy shadows in the Capitol’s water discussions. But climate change is rapidly reducing flows in this important river and that requires bold action.

Policymakers in Sacramento have a rare and golden opportunity to be part of a historic collaborative effort toward a broader solution.