{"id":3389,"date":"2016-06-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-06-15T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gridalt.wpenginepowered.com\/the-current\/conservation-as-a-way-of-life-five-years-into-californias-drought\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T12:03:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T16:03:49","slug":"conservation-as-a-way-of-life-five-years-into-californias-drought","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/es\/the-current\/conservation-as-a-way-of-life-five-years-into-californias-drought\/","title":{"rendered":"Conservation as a Way of Life: Five Years into California’s Drought"},"content":{"rendered":"

El Nino provided some relief to California\u2019s water woes this year, as reservoirs filled near their tops. According to the USDA Drought Monitor, however, 74% of the state remains in a severe to exceptional level drought. It\u2019s official: our state\u2019s historic drought continues. How can we respond as responsible citizens to maintain a healthy community?<\/p>\n

In California, energy and water are inextricable interrelated. Drought conditions result in less rainfall, less mountain snowpack, and earlier snowmelt, making less water is available for hydroelectricity generation. And about 20% of California\u2019s energy usage is used in water management- treating, pumping, and transporting water throughout the state. And during drought years, when surface and groundwater levels drop, even more energy is required to pump each gallon of water. Our efforts to address drought through water conservation, then, has a compounded impact on California’s consumption energy.<\/p>\n

Save Water, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Water conservation is helpful in dealing with water scarcity, but it is also key in reducing the use of polluting energy technologies like fossil fuels and natural gas. Saving water also means saving energy, which is a big part of California\u2019s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. <\/p>\n

Now\u2019s the Time to Save at Home<\/strong><\/p>\n

This summer\u2019s predicted high temperatures and dry weather translate into more time running air conditioners and sprinklers. This puts increases the strain on both our energy and water systems. But after five years of drought, water conservation is becoming a way of life for many Californians. Californians met the state’s water reduction targets last year, curbing 25% of urban water consumption. There are a many simple tips to reduce demand on water and energy used to heat it. <\/p>\n