As drought eases, California reduces water restrictions

SACRAMENTO, May 19 (UPI) -- California regulators approved the loosening of water conservation rules, reflecting an expected easing in drought conditions.

In a 4-0 vote Wednesday, the State Water Resources Control Board decided to end emergency conservation mandates imposed by Gov. Jerry Brown, and allow urban municipalities to set their own water-use reduction goals. Although the southern part of the state remains severely impacted by the four-year-long drought, rainstorms and winter snows have left northern California hydrated and with ample water in its reservoirs.

Local water districts will set their own conservation goals, based on water supply and expected demand. In 2015 the control board was ordered to devise a method for a statewide 25 percent reduction in urban water use.

While some California residents have questioned why activities like car washing and lawn watering need to be curtailed, others continue living as if in drought conditions. Some have suggested the state government is compromising a message of unity and shared sacrifice.

"It risks reopening regional conflicts. It risks people still working hard to conserve water (and) looking at their neighbors who aren't conserving water," Peter Gleick, of the Oakland-based water analysis group Pacific Institute, told the Los Angeles Times.

Under the new regulations, local agencies will "self-certify" their water supply, then submit data to the state government for approval.