California’s comprehensive new water use plan makes conservation a priority, reinforcing a 2009 plan to reduce statewide per capita water consumption by 20% by 2020.
The state will invest in public awareness campaigns, research into water-use efficiency, alternative water supplies, and improved irrigation techniques.
"When the first plan was done in 1957, we had less than half the people in California than we have now," Secretary of Natural Resources John Laird told Reuters. "We did not have the impacts of climate change that we do now, and we did not have the pressure to make water conservation a way of life."
Californians face higher water prices and permanent conservation measures amid drought, global warming and population growth, state officials say. The Golden State is in its third year of a severe drought that has dried up wells and forced farmers to leave fields fallow.
The state is planning improvements on water infrastructure, including dams and reservoirs, as well as investments in new technology such as desalination plants and wastewater recycling.
(http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/30/usa-california-drought-idUSL1N0SP2R120141030)
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Apr 14, 2021
New Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment standard debuts in 2021
Will affect 250,000 commercial real estate deals a year.
Codes and Standards | Apr 13, 2021
British Columbia moves to accelerate mass timber construction
Province funds demonstration projects as part of economic recovery.
Codes and Standards | Apr 12, 2021
WoodWorks and Think Wood release first Mass Timber Design Manual
Interactive collection of information on mass timber products, design best practices, taller wood construction and sustainability.
Codes and Standards | Apr 8, 2021
Sensors used in tunable lighting systems found to have high reliability
DOE study investigated items used to control lumen depreciation, chromaticity shifts, and changes in drivers.
Codes and Standards | Apr 7, 2021
Red tape ruined the U.K.’s home retrofit program
Lessons learned could help US avoid that fate.
Codes and Standards | Apr 6, 2021
Lendlease achieves net-zero carbon in Boston, Chicago multifamily portfolio
New projects in New York, Los Angeles on track to reach goal.
Codes and Standards | Apr 5, 2021
Specification for sliding door, lift and slide roller assemblies updated
Addresses market trend toward heavy sliding doors.
Codes and Standards | Apr 5, 2021
Construction employment rebounds in March following February drop
Rising costs, supply-chain woes, and cancellations threaten outlook.
Codes and Standards | Apr 2, 2021
Intl. Code Council’s new development system could be a brake on building decarbonization
Local governments lose influence on creating new energy efficiency rules.
Codes and Standards | Apr 1, 2021
Cuomo proposes strengthened NY building codes to boost efficiency
Would apply to appliance, equipment efficiency and reduce water use.