More drought measures

If you thought that atmospheric river a little while ago would take care of our parched state, think again. The drought continues, and as a result Mayor London Breed and the city’s Public Utilities Commission declared a water shortage emergency, approving plans to conserve water and reduce its usage. The city set a target of a 10 percent reduction in water usage that will apply to all 2.7 million of SFPUC’s customers in San Francisco, Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Mateo. 

“We are in a drought with far-reaching consequences, and it has become clear we all need to do even more to address it,” said SFPUC General Manager Dennis Herrera. “San Franciscans have been doing their part and have some of the lowest water usage in the state. This emergency water shortage declaration will help all of our customers pull together and move in the same direction.”

SFPUC will implement a temporary drought surcharge for retail water and wastewater customers of up to 5 percent beginning in April 2022. 

The city move follows Gov. Gavin Newsom’s declaration of a drought emergency for 50 of the state’s 58 counties earlier this year. Newsom called for people to voluntarily reduce water use by 15 percent.

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