Gov. Newsom pushes need for conservation during visit to SoCal water recycling facility
"We're experiencing things we've never experienced," he said.
CARSON, Calif. (KABC) -- Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging Californians to find ways to reduce their water use in an effort to combat the historic drought and said upcoming conservation mandates are a priority.
The governor visited a water recycling facility Tuesday afternoon in Carson.
It was originally built as a demonstration project to recycle household wastewater and replenish groundwater supplies.
"We're experiencing things we've never experienced,'' said Newsom, who took time to urge people to begin implementing water-saving habits, such as spotting leaks and only running full loads in washing machines and dishwashers.
California saw its driest conditions in the first three months of 2022.
The state's water use jumped dramatically in March, state officials said last week, as one of the driest stretches on record prompted a wave of homeowners to start watering their lawns earlier than usual in defiance of Newsom's pleas for conservation.
Californians averaged 77 gallons per person per day in March, an 18.9% increase from March 2020. It's the most water Californians have used in March since the middle of the previous drought in 2015.
Statewide, water consumption is up just 3.7% since July compared to 2020, woefully short of Newsom's 15% goal.
Newsom pledged to spend $100 million on a statewide advertising campaign to encourage water conservation.
The campaign will include traditional radio and television spots while also paying people with large followings on social media to urge others to save water.
He also promised to spend a $211 million to conserve more water in state government buildings by replacing plumbing fixtures and irrigation controls.
MORE: What to know about CA's water emergency, including restrictions
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
