Despite objections from many water suppliers that drought conditions have ended, the State Water Resources Control Board this week voted unanimously to extend emergency water conservation regulations throughout California. The Board action provides for modification or repeal of the regulations if the governor’s drought state of emergency ends, or if, after May 1, the Board concludes hydrological conditions no longer warrant the regulations.

The current emergency regulations expire Feb. 28. They were first adopted in May 2015 to address the severe drought gripping the State, and extended two more times. Given the extensive rain and snow of recent months, water suppliers argued that continuing to function as though a drought crisis exists was not only unnecessary, but also detrimental to their credibility and that of the Board. The Board, however, determined the regulations have value because they ban wasteful water practices, provide for mandatory monthly water use reporting by urban suppliers, and promote the public message that water conservation is important.

Under the extended regulation, urban water suppliers must continue to follow a “stress-test” system for setting customized water conservation targets based on local water supply conditions. More information can be found here.

[View source.]