High up in the Sierras, where a few feet of white snow should cover the peaks, there is nothing but yellow grass and dry streams.
This year, California has recorded its lowest amount of rainfall in the past 60 years. The dry period has been made worse by the unusually high temperatures.
As a result, Gov. Jerry Brown recently announced a mandatory restriction on the use of water. This restriction aims for a 25 percent reduction on water usage for urban areas. Agriculture, however, will not be affected by the restriction.
Though many may object to having limits placed on their water usage — after all, restrictions won’t lead to more rain — the restriction is still a good plan. Not only do they teach people to live more conservatively, but it also helps to save water for the future.
There are penalties of up to $500 for violations of the restriction, such as washing cars without hoses equipped with a shut-off nozzle and allowing lawn sprinkler water to run into the street. The restrictions initially will be enforced by local water agencies, but state officials said they may clamp down further in the future.
Though the restrictions may result in a more expensive water bills, they still do allow for basic necessities such as washing and cooking. The restrictions are a necessary change to conserve water for the future and to teach the state to use less water, even after the drought is over (we hope) sometime in the future.
Some critics argue that agriculture, representing about 80 percent of water usage, takes up much more water than urban areas do and that it is not fair to make lives harder in urban areas when water could easily be cut back in the agricultural industry.
In truth, farmers are getting hit hardest by the drought. The agriculture industry has already cut 17,100 of the state’s farm jobs and has lost $2.2 billion this year alone. Dairy and livestock will lose another $203 million. Since additional limitations would further ruin businesses, it is better for the state to limit the water usage in urban areas, which only results a few lost luxuries.
It is our responsibility to preserve water sources. The drought restrictions encourage better water management, including increased conservation of and investments in new supplies such as recycled wastewater, groundwater storage and stormwater collection.
With no clear end to the drought, we need to get used to the new normal of using less water.
