Update: News Today! (April 3, 2015) California used 80 million gallons of water for fracking last year.

Update: As of today (April 1, 2015) the California Governor has ordered mandatory water restrictions in response to this crisis. Read more here.

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California has been experiencing epic drought conditions.

California has experienced the driest winter on record—we’ve been keeping rainfall records for 120 years.

Satellite records from NASA show that the water stored in California’s reservoirs is 34 million acre-feet below normal in 2014.

This loss of reserved water, along with waning rainfall, can be attributed to overuse of agricultural water in California’s Central basin.

Senior water scientist, Jay Famiglietti, at NASA reports on the water situation in California:

“Right now the state has only about one year of water supply left in its reservoirs, and our strategic backup supply, groundwater, is rapidly disappearing.” ~ Jay Famiglietti

He criticized Californian officials for their lack of long-term planning for how to cope with this drought, and future droughts, beyond “staying in emergency mode and praying for rain.”

California local water agencies have responded to this megadrought by implementing various mandatory water saving activities.

1. Restrictions on draining and refilling swimming pools.

2. No irrigating between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. and no runoff.

3. Lawn watering limits of only two days per week.

4. No lawn drip irrigation.

5.No watering outside during daytime hours.

6. Household limit of water use at 180 gallons per day.

7. No hosing paved surfaces or washing vehicles with automatic shut off valve or bucket.

California has been in a drouth pattern for years, but lack of planning for longterm drought has lead to a dire situation.

Mindful ways to conserve water at home.

1. Put a lid on the pot while boiling water.

2. Use grey water to water houseplants and garden.

3. Turn off water while brushing your teeth.

4. Take quick showers or shower with a friend.

5. Plant a xeriscape garden instead of grass.

6. Install low-flow shower heads, faucets and irrigation systems.

Meanwhile Californians will have to conserve water and pray for rain.

Relephant:

Five Easy Ways to Save Water at Home.

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Author: Ashleigh Hitchcock

Photo: flickr