The State Water Resources Control Board’s proposed regulatory framework for mandatory statewide water cutbacks drew 277 comment letters during the brief window of time allowed for input. The Water Board released its “Mandatory Conservation Proposed Regulatory Framework” on April 7, and gave cities, water agencies and other interested parties a week to comment.

The Framework provides the concepts being used to develop the Water Board’s forthcoming draft emergency regulations, which will be aimed at reducing potable water use by 25 percent across California. The regulations will be adopted in early May and will be binding on hundreds of water suppliers.

Gov. Jerry Brown called for the 25 percent water use reduction in an April 1 Executive Order. The Executive Order was issued in response to the continued decline in water supplies due to the severe drought gripping the state. The Executive Order and Water Board actions have generated widespread attention, questions and concerns. The comment letters on the Framework include numerous recommendations and changes in how the Water Board crafts the emergency regulations. The Water Board has said it will make the draft regulations public within days.