(Bloomberg) -- California regulators approved rules that for thefirst time require mandatory water reductions across the state as ahistoric drought gripping the region enters its fourth year andconservation efforts fall short of targets.
The state’s 411 urban water suppliers must cut use by 8% to 36%,with some of the deepest decreases imposed on wealthy communitiesthat haven’t reduced their consumption enough. Those cities thathave already cut back the most would face smaller restrictions.
The drought has forced farmers in the nation’s top agriculturalstate to fallow millions of acres while some rural communities arerunning out of water. The cost to drill wells has tripled becauseof demand and the below-ground aquifer in some parts of the statehas sunk to the lowest level ever. The price of water is on therise as utilities increase rates to make up for lost revenue.
Continue Reading for Free
Register and gain access to:
- Breaking insurance news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
- Weekly Insurance Speak podcast featuring exclusive interviews with industry leaders
- Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
- Critical converage of the employee benefits and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, BenefitsPRO and ThinkAdvisor
Already have an account? Sign In Now
© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
