Commentary: California cities now have mandatory water budgets. Here’s how to get ready
In drought-prone California, pioneering water-saving initiatives have become indispensable to a sustainable future. Yet although water use has plateaued in some regions — even as the population has grown — a warming climate means all cities will need to conserve more. As a result, the state passed new water standards, Making Conservation a California Way of Life, which become effective Jan. 1, 2025. This new rule shifts away from a one-size-fits-all approach to community-specific conservation management. Historically, state-enacted emergency orders required all urban water suppliers to reduce their water use — no matter their water supply source or water use conditions. It’s much more difficult (and expensive) to squeeze 25% savings out of an already efficient community than it is to get those same savings from a community that has never invested in conservation. To better level the playing field and bring all communities to a baseline of efficiency, urban water suppliers now have a unique water budget they must achieve.
—Written by Tia Fleming, co-executive director of the California Water Efficiency PartnershipRelated articles:
- The Sun-Gazette Newspaper: Rural communities hit hard by state water regulations
- City of Roseville news release: California adopts new regulation for Making Conservation a California Way of Life
- KSL NewsRadio: One Utah city will offer prizes to get people to conserve more water