California Water Agencies Want More Flexibility To Meet Conservation Requirements

Sacramento-area water agencies are hoping that the state will give them less stringent water conservation requirements going forward.

Last week in an executive order, California Governor Jerry Brown called for extending water restrictions through October next year if the drought continues.

But Sacramento water districts told California agency leaders Tuesday they need more flexibility to meet mandatory water conservation targets. 

"The 30 and 36 percent targets we got were pretty burdensome," says John Woodling, executive director of the Regional Water Authority. "I think we're going to see some long- term impacts on tree canopy and economic burdens on the customers that have to do something to replace landscapes." 

Woodling says he thinks any new conservation regulations should take into account regional climate differences. 

"We use more water we're in a hotter place. So to maintain our landscapes, especially our trees takes more water in the Central Valley than it does some places along the coast."

Woodling hopes the regulations are adjusted to also consider the investments some districts have already made to increase water supply.