Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Hey, Southern California — We Need To Conserve Even More Water. Here's How.
Low water levels at the Stevens Creek Reservoir in Cupertino.
(
Justin Sullivan
/
Getty Images
)
The board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California today declared a Water Supply Alert. The agency is asking Southern Californians to voluntarily conserve water so the state can make it through another drought.
Of California's 58 counties, 50 are in a drought emergency. Governor Gavin Newsom hasn't declared an emergency for any Southern California county but residents need to do more to conserve water, says Deven Upadhyay, the Metropolitan Water District's COO.
“Install a smart meter to detect leaks at your house or a smart sprinkler control. Make sure you never over-water. And you can do both of those things by utilizing rebates that we provide at BeWaterWise.com,” Upadhyay says.
Because of climate change, the weather has been drier in California and the state has seen less snowpack and runoff from water sources this year. This could spell even more trouble for our water supply next year.
Support for LAist comes from
Things are also bad in other states. There's a severe water shortage at the Colorado River, which feeds into Nevada’s Lake Mead, a major source of California’s water supply. The current drought has led to Lake Mead’s lowest water levels since the 1930s.
“Southern California has a huge amount it could do with more conservation, more reclamation, which L.A. is behind on — Orange County has always been ahead on,” said Conner Everts of the Environmental Water Caucus.
Everts believes mandatory limits on water usage and long-term conservation are the keys to surviving droughts in California.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist