Governor Newsom Declares Drought Emergency For Majority Of California's Counties
GRANITE BAY, CALIFORNIA - MAY 10: A couple walks on the dry lakebed of Folsom Lake on May 10, 2021 in Granite Bay, California. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency in 41 of California's 58 counties, about 30 percent of the state's population. Folsom Lake is currently at 38 percent of normal capacity. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Despite the threatening drought condition which prompted the emergency declaration in Northern and Central California, the San Diego County Water Authority pointed out that the region was well-positioned to outlast drought condition for the next year or two.

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday expanded a drought emergency declaration from Sonoma and Mendocino counties to 41 counties.

The drought declarations now cover around 30% of the population of the state. It includes the greater area of Sacramento and Fresno, Merced, and Stanislaus counties in the San Joaquin Valley. Southern California has largely been excluded from the declarations.

According to NBC San Diego, Gary Croucher, board chair of the San Diego County Water Authority, shared that the latest drought emergency declaration of Governor Newsom is a grim reminder of the growing water supply problem across the state of California. It also shows the value of the 30 years collective dedication of their people in using water efficiently combined with strategic investments that protect San Diego County from dry years.

Croucher then thanked the efforts of ratepayers, the water authority, and their 24 member agencies, as they still have sufficient water supplies for 2021 and the foreseeable future.

Within the decade, it is the second major drought experienced by the state of California. The most recent one was from 2012-16.

Moreover, California Governor Newsom stated that the reality of climate change is abundantly clear in the state. He added that they are currently taking urgent action to address acute water supply shortfalls in Northern and Central California while also building their water resilience to safeguard communities in the decades ahead.

In addition, Newsom mentioned that they are also working with local officials and other partners in protecting public health and safety and the environment. He is also calling on all Californians to help meet the challenge by stepping up their efforts to save water.

Cooperation and Conservation

Croucher stated that the regional adoption of water efficiency measures is a major part of the strategy of San Diego County in reducing water usage. In the past 30 years, per capita, water use has fallen by close to 50%.

Furthermore, Croucher mentioned that at the same time, the rates that they pay for water had been invested in new water sources. Together with major dams and reservoirs, Crouchers said that it shows that they are worth more with each passing day.

Jeff Stephenson, a water resource manager at the water authority, shared that they have sufficient water supplies whether it's a normal year. It means that average rainfall, a single dry year, or a period of five straight dry years, under those mentioned scenarios, they still have more than sufficient water supplies to meet the region's needs, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

On the other hand, San Diego only gets a small percentage of its water from Northern California with its main source, the Colorado River, The Coast News reported. Also, just like other regions in the state of California, San Diego has been stretching its water supply by continued conservation efforts.

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