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 | Dec 2, 2019
New tool allows users to learn how to reduce embodied carbon
Calculator delivers first digitized EPDs.
Codes and Standards | Dec 2, 2019
Trade group challenges St. Petersburg, Fla., ordinance on construction contract mandates
Legality of requirement to hire apprentices, disadvantaged workers at issue.
Building Owners | Dec 2, 2019
What building owners and AEC teams need to know about New York’s Climate Mobilization Act
On April 18, 2019, the New York City Council passed the Climate Mobilization Act, a suite of laws aimed to meet the city’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Codes and Standards | Nov 26, 2019
Updated ASHRAE standards focused on ventilation design, air quality in residential applications
Standard 62.1 and 62.2 updates provide new tables of ventilation rates per unit area.
Codes and Standards | Nov 25, 2019
Real estate professionals say coworking is not a flash in the pan
More than 60% say coworking space is in their portfolios.
Codes and Standards | Nov 22, 2019
Utility’s proposal threatens California’s rooftop solar mandate
Would allow customers to use solar farms instead of installing their own PVs.
Codes and Standards | Nov 21, 2019
Number of LEED commercial building projects surpasses 100,000
More than 2.6 million sf of space being certified each day.
Codes and Standards | Nov 19, 2019
Most U.S. voters support licensing standards for architects
NCARB survey shows strong support for architecture as a licensed profession.
Codes and Standards | Nov 18, 2019
Cambridge, Mass., teams up with utility on energy retrofit program
Buildings large than 25,000 sf targeted in initiative to further carbon neutrality goal.
Codes and Standards | Nov 14, 2019
Resistance to Toronto’s ‘smart city’ reveals pitfalls of such ambitious projects
Concerns over data privacy, governance, feasibility prompt criticism.
