Jerry Brown stood in a field near Lake Tahoe that was bereft of normally plentiful snow and called for water restrictions amid the state’s punishing years-long drought. Felicia Marcus, who worked closely with Brown as chair of the state water board during California’s last record-breaking drought, called Newsom’s voluntary conservation a prudent start. Newsletter The stories shaping California Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Urban water use levels are currently at 15% lower per capita than those in 2013. AdvertisementThat means statewide conservation is crucial when considering the very real possibility of future dry years, said State Water Resources Control Board Deputy Director Erik Ekdahl.

Source: Los Angeles Times July 15, 2021 12:00 UTC