Southern California’s new water restrictions will affect approximately 6 million people’s outdoor water usage.
Southern California residents are being asked to limit outdoor watering to one day per week. These restrictions are affecting approximately 6 million people as California Governor Gavin Newsom is urging urban water providers to regulate water usage throughout the state.
The exact measures of the restrictions are being left up to water providers and major water wholesalers. As California awaits another dry, hot summer, many residents are wary of these new orders and how it may affect their communities and livelihoods.
Since the water shortage emergency was declared by Southern California water officials, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has enacted the “Emergency Water Conservation Program”. The program restricts outdoor water usage to one day a week in Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Bernardino counties.
The Metropolitan Water District will closely monitor the changes in water usage and the effects of these restrictions. The restrictions will go into effect on June 1, 2022, just as the state enters yet another dangerously dry and hot summer. If no changes are seen, it is possible that a complete ban on outdoor watering could be issued as early as September.
Could these orders eventually end up affecting California’s agricultural climate? With the state having 13% of the country’s agricultural population, outdoor water use is an extremely important factor that plays into feeding America.
Ventura County’s agricultural production in particular, is awaiting the effects of these new orders, as they are one of the top agricultural counties in the state, producing over $1.5 billion per year in strawberries, lemons, celery, and tomatoes yearly.
As the anticipation for the upcoming dry summer grows, the concern for California’s water supply and newly instated orders continue to be a topic of discussion amongst government officials and state residents alike.
