Don't shame people for their water use
Californians are well aware of the seriousness of the latest drought that is enveloping the state, with virtually the entire state facing severe drought conditions. Most water agencies are imposing water-use restrictions and state officials are threatening rationing plans if Californians don't step up their conservation efforts.
Conserving water is, of course, necessary when reservoirs are empty, and state officials are complaining that residents and water districts aren't doing enough. News reports show 33 of Southern California's 144 water agencies used more water in May than they did at the same period two years ago. The governor has called on all Californians to cut back water usage 15 percent.
“The severity of this drought requires all Californians to save water in every possible way,” said the chairman of the State Water Resources Control Board, as he announced new water-usage regulations last month. Environmentalists complain about the slow conservation progress.
And read this statement from LA's Department of Water and Power: “We are very encouraged by the increase
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in water waste complaints we have received – it shows people are taking the drought seriously and trying to cut back their use as well as reporting on potential violations of the ordinance.” They are applauding that more people are turning in their neighbors.
Enough water shaming. Although water use blips up on occasion, Californians now use around 48 gallons of water per person per day – down from 139 gallons in 1998. Californians continually meet the state's aggressive conservation targets.
By the way, urban water use accounts for only around 10 percent of the state's water usage. About 50% is for the environment and 40% for agriculture.
Actually, Californians ought to be the ones shaming their state officials who, since the end of the last drought, have done nothing to build new water-storage facilities.
The California Coastal Commission recently rejected a Huntington Beach desalination plant that could have met more than 10 percent of Orange County's water needs.
By all means, reduce your lawn watering, but realize that misguided state policy is the source of the problem.
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