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California is experiencing the worst drought in its history, and the effects are being felt nationwide. Thus water issues have taken center stage in much of our reporting and the nation's.As the New York Times says, "Water has long been a precious resource in California, the subject of battles pitting farmer against city-dweller and northern communities against southern ones; books and movies have been made about its scarcity and plunder. Water is central to the state’s identity and economy, and a symbol of how wealth and ingenuity have tamed nature ..."As we continue through a fourth year of extreme drought conditions, you'll find all of our reporting on the related issues (and that of NPR and other member stations) in this centralized place.

Brown Issues Mandatory Water Conservation Order For California

Amy Quinton
/
Capital Public Radio

 

For the first time in the state's history, a governor of California is imposing mandatory water restrictions.

Gov. Jerry Brown issued an Executive Order Wednesday that mandates a 25 percent cut in urban, potable water use in cities and towns from now through next February.

 

He announced the action near Lake Tahoe, after watching the state Department of Water Resources conduct a survey that showed the Sierra snowpack at a record-low 5 percent of normal for April 1.

 

Brown's order also sets aside money for drought-tolerant landscaping and water-efficient appliance rebates. It mandates that golf courses and other large landscapes reduce their water usage. And it speeds up the review and permitting processes for water projects.

 

This story was produced by Capital Public Radio.