San Francisco
State imposes mandatory water restrictions for all water users
San Francisco, California – Mandatory water restrictions have been imposed by the California Water Resources Control Board, which will affect all water users across the state.
With the restrictions, washing vehicles without a shutoff nozzle, overwatering yards, watering grass, and hosing down sidewalks within 48 hours of rain are all prohibited.
According to a press release published by the board, the restrictions would apply to all water users, including people, businesses, and government agencies, and would be enforced by warning letters, water audits, or penalties.
Once authorized by the Office of Administrative Law and filed with the Secretary of State, the emergency regulation takes effect in ten days.
Authorities say the restrictions are identical to those in place during the state’s previous severe drought and are extremely necessary despite recent rains.
The board chair, E. Joaquin Esquivel, stated that “prohibiting wasteful water practices increases awareness of water as a precious resource no matter what type of weather we are experiencing at a given moment, because weather extremes are now part of our climate reality.”