California Seeks to Cut Urban Water Use
Suffering through its third consecutive year of drought, California is one step closer to its goal of cutting water use and increasing water efficiency. The California State Assembly has just passed AB 49 mandating a 20% reduction in the state's urban per capita water use by December 31, 2020. The bill now goes to the State Senate for review. AB 49 provides the legal muscle to enforce Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2008 executive order calling for a statewide reduction in per capita water use.
"We must promote stronger water efficiency standards now, or we will face severe statewide water shortages and irreparable environmental damage," said bill sponsor Assemblyman Mike Feuer. "By setting targets on water supplies today, AB 49 will help ensure that Californians will enjoy safe, high quality water in the future."
Currently, many California communities rely on water imported from other parts of the state. Some California water is even piped over the mountains from neighboring states. Lawmakers hope that the new bill, when passed, will encourage communities to build self-reliance on local water supplies through water conservation and more efficient water management. Limiting water consumption will have the added environmental benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by energy consumption. The California Energy Commission estimates that 19% of electricity use and more than 30% of non-power plant natural gas use is related to water use.
California has been encouraging water conservation efforts since the drought began. Communities and water districts across the state have implemented watering and irrigation restrictions and posted numerous saving water tips to encourage residents to conserve water, but it hasn't been enough. Stronger measures and greater support from California residents are needed. Installing dual flush toilets retrofit kits on all your toilets is a fast, easy, inexpensive way to save thousands of gallons of water per year. Mandating dual flush toilets could help California communities reach their 2020 water conservation goals.
"We must promote stronger water efficiency standards now, or we will face severe statewide water shortages and irreparable environmental damage," said bill sponsor Assemblyman Mike Feuer. "By setting targets on water supplies today, AB 49 will help ensure that Californians will enjoy safe, high quality water in the future."
Currently, many California communities rely on water imported from other parts of the state. Some California water is even piped over the mountains from neighboring states. Lawmakers hope that the new bill, when passed, will encourage communities to build self-reliance on local water supplies through water conservation and more efficient water management. Limiting water consumption will have the added environmental benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by energy consumption. The California Energy Commission estimates that 19% of electricity use and more than 30% of non-power plant natural gas use is related to water use.
California has been encouraging water conservation efforts since the drought began. Communities and water districts across the state have implemented watering and irrigation restrictions and posted numerous saving water tips to encourage residents to conserve water, but it hasn't been enough. Stronger measures and greater support from California residents are needed. Installing dual flush toilets retrofit kits on all your toilets is a fast, easy, inexpensive way to save thousands of gallons of water per year. Mandating dual flush toilets could help California communities reach their 2020 water conservation goals.
Source...