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Gov. Gavin Newsom asked state residents in July 2021 to reduce water usage by 15 percent during the height of the state’s driest years on record. But statewide water savings only reached 7 percent, fewer than 9 gallons per person per day.
As California endured its three driest years on record, urban water users made a significant effort to conserve, but fell short of Gov. Newsom’s request to reduce use by 15%.
Between July 2021 and March of this year, statewide water savings were about 7%, a Los Angeles Times analysis has found.
Hint: It’s less about long showers and more about what’s for dinner.
After a very wet winter, less than 6 percent of the state is in moderate drought while one-third of the state is still abnormally dry. Climate experts predict the state’s future will be full of weather extremes.