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.
Water savings rebound slightly after a summer of decline
Water conservation in California increased slightly in September, reversing months of decline.
(
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
)
After California ended mandatory water conservation in June, water use crept up across the state. September put an end to that trend; we used slightly less water than we did in August.
Data released Tuesday by the State Water Resources Control Board showed that statewide water conservation increased slightly in September after three months of backsliding.
That matters because in January, Water Resources Control Board officials will decide whether to return to mandatory conservation. And they'll base that decision on how well Californians saved water over the past few months.
In May, the state water board decided to end mandatory conservation, which had been in effect since June 2015. It had been a nearly normal snow year in the Northern Sierras, the source of 30 percent of Southern California's water, and water agencies were complaining about having to continue to conserve when reservoirs were brimming and grass was turning green.
Support for LAist comes from
Instead of being told how much they had to cut back, water agencies had to pass a so-called "stress test": If they could prove they had enough water to meet customers' needs for three more dry years, they would no longer have to meet mandatory conservation targets. For agencies that failed and did not have enough water, the targets would continue.
The vast majority of water agencies in California passed the stress test. And come June, the first month they no longer had to meet mandatory conservation targets, water use began to rise. In Southern California, about 80 percent of water agencies used more water in June 2016 than they had the year before. By the end of August, over 90 percent of the water agencies statewide were using more water than they did last summer.
How did this happen? Water agencies that passed their stress tests relaxed prohibitions on watering lawns and got rid of drought surcharges on water bills. Many of them still had voluntary conservation targets, but that message was lost on water customers.
"Unfortunately in the messaging, in their zeal to say, 'Aren't we clever, we've prepared [for the drought],' they inadvertently sent a message out to the media and the public that they weren't going to conserve anymore, when in fact they were," said Felicia Marcus, chair of the Water Resources Control Board.
So water board officials were excited that water conservation statewide ticked up in September.
In addition, the fall snow season is off to a good start. Still, officials will be keeping a watchful eye on the weather and water conservation efforts through the end of the year, as the Water Resources Control Board prepares for its January decision on whether to return to mandatory conservation.
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