This wonât be the year that we turn on the faucet in our homes and find that nothing comes out. But it may be the year we contemplate that day. If that sounds hyperbolic, consider the machinations of various local, state and national agencies in the weeks before the long, hot and very dry summer: On March 5, the U.S. Department of Agriculture informed Gov. Gavin Newsom that San Mateo County was among 50 California counties designated as a âprimary natural disaster areaâ due to drought conditions. On March 22, the California State Water Resources Control Board asked local water boards to prepare for drought impacts as most of Californiaâs watersheds would be diminished.