Sacramento rations water

Speaking of drought conditions, the Sacramento City Council voted on Tuesday (Jan. 14) to enact severe water rationing on homes and businesses.

Those who live and work in Sacramento will be required to reduce water use by 20 percent to 30 percent, according to The Sacramento Bee. City officials said they would launch a $200,000 public-outreach campaign encouraging city residents and businesses to use less water. The city will increase regulation of winter watering restrictions on outside irrigation; prohibit the use of water on sidewalks and driveways; require parks and cemeteries to reduce watering; and require people washing their cars at home to use buckets rather than hoses.

A DWR representative said a statewide emergency drought declaration could be issued “within a couple weeks.”