What is the real story behind California’s 55 gallons of water per day, per person? California Globe recently summarized some of the state Legislature’s most unforgettable moments in 2019, including some water laws.
California voters have approved more than $30 Billion in Water Bonds which has provided no new water storage, and water rationing on the horizon.
California Globe spoke to noted water expert Kristi Diener for an update on this complicated matter:
In water year 2019, which spanned from Oct. 1, 2018 to Sept. 30, 2019, an amount of water equal to a year’s supply for 275 million people flowed under the Golden Gate Bridge and out to the Pacific Ocean. Rather than acting to build new, major, reservoir storage to capture all we can when Mother Nature brings us bountiful water for free, California continuously obstructs, and has even used the courts to block putting dam shovels in the ground. In fact, lawmakers recently enacted their own expensive and ineffective solution instead.
Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles), and Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), authored two new mandatory water rationing bills. Senate Bill 606, and Assembly Bill 1668, were easily passed along party lines, signed into law, and will gradually keep ratcheting indoor water use down over the next 10 years, until it reaches 50 gallons per person per day. Unlike expanded reservoirs that capture additional new water to meet the current and future water needs of a growing population, Californians will adapt to living water poor. The cost of the new regulatory body, and added level of bureaucracy necessary to enforce these rationing laws, will be passed on to taxpayers. Water rates will continue to rise, and the “use less, pay more” scenario will increase. What’s worse is the actual water savings will be insignificant.
Kristi also addressed in detail the 55 gallon per day limitation per person in household water use, after an astounding KTLA report explaining why a single person living alone would not be able to take a shower and do a load of laundry without going over the limit and being fined $1,000 for each offense.
Kristi Diener: “I love that this getting media attention, but the anchor doesn’t have the facts exactly correct. I wrote about this recently.”
“There have been a lot of questions re the 55-gallon per person/per day, indoor water-usage legislation (SB 606 and AB 1668), like how will they monitor indoor water usage or the number of people living in a household? I will first tell you, as much as is known right now, there is an equal amount of unknown. Detailed plans are being developed over time (on the fly) based on a loose outline called the ‘Primer’ which the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the State Water Board prepared to summarize the authorities, requirements, and schedules included in the new legislation. The State Water Board had until January 1, 2020 to submit their recommendations for implementation to the Governor. These will only be guidelines and methodologies. The bulk of the legislation will be dropped on urban and agricultural water suppliers to figure out or face fines.
Right now there is no way to monitor individual indoor usage, nor is there a way to separate indoor watering from outdoor watering. The ‘standard’ for indoor use has been set at 55-gallon per person per day, eventually decreasing to 52.5 gallons in 2025, and 50 gallons per person per day by 2030. The first standard will be adopted no later than June 2022.
A yet to be determined formula will also dictate outdoor watering usage. This will be calculated by climate and region, how much land one has to irrigate, and will have provisions for pools, spas, fountains, water features, etc. It is unknown how all this will be completed by suppliers for each water account, how it will be amended for new residential or commercial development, or adjusted for all the variables-like changes in the number of members living in a household, or if a family puts in a pool. Dedicated outdoor watering meters have been suggested, which would also provide an indoor number if an overall usage meter is already in place. A water supplier will also have to guesstimate how much water they think they lose with leaks or when pipes break.
The water agency has to create a water budget that combines all usage across their entire service area, and then determine how they are going to meet this budget. If they go over, they may have to give rebates for tearing out lawns, credits for low-flow fixtures, raise water rates, charge for irrigation meter installation, or impose fines for using too much. How they will implement the water budget has not been determined, but they will be subject to monthly reporting requirements and fined $1000 per day when they go over. If they exceed the budget in a dry year, the fine is $10,000 every day they go over. There will also be a whole new level of bureaucracy created with a new ‘governing body’ to oversee water suppliers, and an enforcement arm.
The new laws ramp up over time. Suppliers have to have water use caps for indoor and outdoor watering by the end of 2022. The new water budgets will be fully enforced with penalties beginning November 2023.
Trying to determine the ultimate objective here is not clear to me. I can definitely see that we are going to be paying more for water because water suppliers will pass costs and fines on to users. The paperwork created for suppliers will mean added bodies to their payrolls. Creating a new governing body will also incur expenses/taxes.
I don’t fully understand how this ‘Makes Water Conservation a Way of Life?’ If a supplier makes the first water budget based on last year’s budget, round one’s target shouldn’t be too tough to hit, although ratcheting that number down will progressively get harder. I am wondering what is in between the lines? Could the goal be to find out exactly how much a supplier can do without, so that water right can be reduced and redirected? That’s when water rationing enforcement would hurt most. They already passed the laws, so we’ll have to wait to see what’s really in them.”
UPDATE 1/3/2020: The KTLA video was taken down from youtube. You can view it here on Facebook.
View Comments (148)
It would appear the state's movers and shakers are hellbent on making the state unliveable.
You're right
Democrats progressives in general obstruct progress. They do so because they hate America. And they hate Americans. And in this case they hate the average Californian citizen. You can think of nothing better diminishing your rights. And charging you more for the privilege. And then penalties that will destroy you if you run afoul of them. Penalties which state haven't even determined how they will be applied. Get rid of them. Get rid of them now. Or expect even worse. it's
It will be resolved by ballots or bullets.
We need to get rid of every liberal politician in California. Next, we need to forget the bullet train and build more dams. I've lived in California for my 74 years and am very upset about our state of affairs.
Making unlivable we're already there. With the current brainless legislature and governor things will continue down this slippery slope to oblivion with no way to return.
STOP VOTING IN IDIOTS LIKE BROWN AND NEWSOME AND GARCETTI
ALL OF YOU FIRST! You want to fine Californian's $1,000 a day for using more than 50 gallons of water a day, are you flipping crazy! You first!
You use under 50 gallons of water a day let's see how good you are at taking a sponge bath or shower. Although it probably would work for you because you don't work outside in the blistering heat. Nor are you a machanic, or field worker, construction worker, fire fighter, ect, ect. California's $1,000 a day fine for using more than 50 gallons of water a day is not going to work.
If anything your not going to loose your job, your just going to loose the tax payors that pay your wages.
Think about it, .. A person can only aford to stay in a place they can afford to pay for...if you can not afford to pay what do you do?.... You Move to another Place / State.
You must have been born with a Gold (not silver) spoon in your mouth, to think that people in California can pay that much money a day for a water rationing fine. Now I have to ask, how many people in California make a living that pays over a thousand dollars a day? How about you get off your ass and come out of your air conditioned office and start looking for more areas in California that you can build dams for more water storage. And one more thing ...use the water bond monies in stead of taxing or fineing us more money. I have lived in California sense I was born in 1959. But with all that has happened in 2019 and now things that are going to happen in 2020, It's time to leave California and not look back.
Well said. I, too, am a native California resident and am saddened and sickened of what our once beautiful State has become. Government---God help us all.
The fine isn’t for people, it’s for water suppliers, as the article states.
Wow the California government collects the fine and passes it to a private business? WOW. And here we are pointing at Washington DC for abuse of power. Hypocrisy
I agree totally, "vote the Bums out"
THATS A FACT... If you GET THOSE MORONS OUT OF THERE,& PUT PEOPLE IN OFFICE THAT ARNT FRIGGIN TREE HUGGERS IT WOULD BE SO MUCH BETTER
Let met put it to you this way.
Throughout USA, counties have more registered voters than residents, men, women, children, and illegals combined.
Furthermore, illegals are allowed to vote in local elections, and are counted in our census. Number of representatives allocated to each state is based on census counts. States with millions of illegals receive more representatives, and thus more electoral votes. Illegals are already represented in Congress, and effect our presidential elections, as well as what bills are signed by Congress into law.
Do you honestly believe in legitimacy of elections? That we the citizens voted in those fascists?
Only through the horrors of the Civil War, will we be able to rebuild our nation, restore the middle class, improve the quality of life for our families, protect our unalienable rights, and secure a future for our children to grow up as free Citizens of a first world nation rather than serfs in a communist Banana Republic.
Some people really need to shower for a very long time. Not me. I clean up pretty easily and have a naturally good aroma. Not everyone is so lucky. The nose knows!
Well then, you fit right in as a Goverment worker for the state.
Some consider a long shower a sexual right. I had a neighbor who took 45 min showers aka however long to empty hot water tank at apartment block twice a day or more
They-don't-care! Ignorance and apathy has allowed this level of corruption t grow and fester. Some Californians are getting really angry and soon a whole lot will, as-soon-as they get hit for their dumb ignorance voting. Perhaps revolution will be needed.
On racket California has built on is has been accelerating is the creation of agency after agency after new position to offer high-paying jobs with pensions to the political well-connected.
It does seem that way, doesn't it? About the only way they can make this more unpalatable is to announce, right on schedule, that since newly arrived immigrants cannot be inconvenienced, they will be exempt from the restrictions.
Thats why we moved to another state after 46 years in California. Its gone to hell in a handbag!
"They already passed the laws, so we’ll have to wait to see what’s really in them."
And that, my friends, is the real problem - there is zero transparency & accountability coming out of Sacramento. If we don't fix that issue, we are doomed to more laws passed that will have to be interpreted later.
Just another example of Democratic politicians that have a clear path towards solving a problem but would rather use regulations , taxes and penalties to control people. They never want to solve a problem that has a solution. They want the problem to stay in place so that they feel viable and useful and needed to the voting public. After all if the problems were solved, who would need them?
No, they don't want to solve a real problem! They are corrupt beyond Californians' ability to [apparently] understand. They are paid by not-for-good-special-interests and want power and control over every living being. Californians keep handing it over to them. Such fools; how do they think it is gonna end?
What is the clear path towards solving the problem in your view? What is the solution to millions of people and limited water?
Amen to that the people governing this state really need to oull there head out of their ass!!!! Cause they are going to fee, tax, regulate to the tune that I/we will all be moving out of this state of California .Yet instead of building de-salinization plants to convert the seawater into useful water they decided to build a high speed train to SFO . What a waste of money. I sure would like to see where the hell all these taxes are being spent!!!
This one good example of why that idiot Newsom is being recalled. Zero transparency, taxation up the yin yang for 2020 like he’s already stated. The water fines may be the responsibility of the “water agency” as stated, but you can bet your butt Newsom is looking to raise billions in new taxes on the backs of commercial property owners, and when he gets through with them (whoever is left operating in CA), he’ll turn his sights on the homeowner. I swear his agenda must be to get CA residents to actually leave due to his policies.
Unfortunately, CA has a super majority of Democratic morons like Newsom. Nancy, Adam, Diane and the list goes on. I don’t know what it would take to overcome the Democratic super majority, but the recall is one step towards that goal. Trouble is, until that time, if it’s even possible, how many residents will have left the state due to the exorbitant cost of living and the ridiculous mismanagement of the states resources by the Newsom administration? The game is rigged for now. Those contemplating an exodus are part of the solution to change things, but who wants to wait around in the most expensive and filthiest state in the nation until such a time with the same idiots at the wheel?
I especially like how California becomes the model for other blue states... Californians move to state like Colorado and presto, vote like they did in California and boom wake up in the same hog pen.
Hence why we must stop welcoming libtards moving into our communities. They are quite literally parasites in human form. They destroyed and consumed everything in their rat holes, move to areas where we the people had built great communities to raise our families, and they proceed to destroy while leeching and enjoying the communities we had created.
At this point, it’s quite literally self defense, defense of our families, and our children, to be rid of libtards from our communities.
This will push more people out of California. Peoperty tax already out of control. When will California be put un check for lining the politicians pockets.
Wow. What a can of worms.
Can Katy find the answers to the following questions?
How does this affect people on a well?
How will rich people work around these limits?
Will the governor and legislature be affected by these limits or did they exclude themselves?
How was it determined that 55 gallons a day was sufficient per person?
I received 62" of rain on my property last season, and 81" the season before. There is more than enough water here. Why would this be a statewide law?
Is the legislature considering banning rainwater collection?
I will stop there for the moment.
Well water now belongs to the state.
Rich people will pay the fines, or lobby their local govt./water districts for flat rates.
So far there doesn't seem to be exemptions, but the State Water Resources Control Board is in charge of making these decisions... I expect certain classifications to have exemptions. More on that later.
Yes, you are correct that there was an abundance of water in the last two years. But even with $30 billion in water bonds approved for more water storage, the state has not built any. And because they allow more than 50% of the runoff flow to the ocean, that is our biggest problem. The environmentalists are winning the water war.
I will stay on this and get more answers. Thanks for your very good questions. Katy
If my well water belongs to the state, then the state should have to replace my well pump the next time it fails.
The state should build a couple desalination plants in Southern California. Use the tax dollars that are being wasted on the ridiculous high speed choo-choo.
High speed choo-choo. That is great. LOL
Disgruntled English instructor?
So. Where is that 30 billion? It’s still there right? Just waiting to. Be used correct? Or has it been used already? Why is it taking so long. Those who lead this state cannot lead this state for the benefit of the people. Those who lead this state are only interested in their own self interests. So disappointing
Katy, since you are an investigative reporter, you might be interested in knowing about the thousands of gallons of water that are gushing out of water hydrants on a regular basis by the water departments. Next to my home the water is dumped into a creek. I wish I could figure out how to get it to water plants on my property. When discussing this practice with the employee who regularly dumps this water, we could only feel better about the practice by just thinking it helps provide water for the wildlife or replenishes the ground waters, which I'm not certain either is accomplished. If you want more information on this practice, feel free to contact me but I want to remain anonymous.
The water you see flowing out of the hydrant is done on purpose. Not many residents realize that water agencies need to flush out water lines on a regular basis in order to provide its customers adequate drinking water. if the water sits too long in a pipeline without getting used, it becomes stagnant and an unpleasant odor and color will happen. Typically water systems are built on a loop so water is always moving, but their will always be a dead-end somewhere. Those are the areas that will need regular flushing. Unfortunately, you have to waste water to provide safe water. It is what it is on that aspect.
That 50% is not wasted water.
Many industries and lived rely on that water flowing in the rivers.
Commercial and sport fishing, salmon being the obvious for those that refuse to seek knowledge.
Tourism is another.
Also the Sacramento River is used to ship goods. No water, no shipping.
Unfortunately so many people refuse to acknowledge the need for that water to be flowing, we have to find legal ways however they are to keep it flowing, like endangered fish.
Any idea how the estimated 12 million foreign nationals illegally present in CA effect the water consumption?
Are you serious? You think these people are out-for-your interests and really want to solve a problem?
I noticed it was a bunch of Democrats who voted these Stalinist tactics into law. I'm sick of my state being ruined by Leftist. I work hard and pay taxes. I can leave to ANY state in the United States and practice in my nursing professions. Right now, I don't see a law that forbids people to move from this state (trust me, these Leftists will try). When my healthy 87-year-old mother goes to heaven, me and my family, we're OUT of this Commie Utopia. Screw this... find some other sucker to pay the governments bills.
You are more than welcome to leave along with anyone else who doesn't like it.
Idiot.
Your level of delusion and illiteracy is truly astounding
You and all like you will collapse when the rest of us are gone
Get ready
You can’t admit your precious democrats are ruining this state
Most Democrats cheated their way into office from votes of illegal aliens. What I see happening is communism being pushed by Democrats who are hell bent on destroying this Nation. Just look at the gun confiscation happening in Virginia by a demoRAT. Gun Rally on January 20. Thousands maybe millions going to be there. People who are willing to die for their freedoms. Once the Democrats heard about this gun rally they arranged for their Nazi goon mob squad ANTIFA to be there to cause violence. People need to wake up and see that the Democrats are working with United Nations to push Agenda 2030.
Mark it’s people like you that need to leave. I wonder which of Gavin’s buddies will be tapped to be board members who will sit and siphon all of this extra revenue for their cocaine and prostitution habits.
@Jason, it's "sex worker", not "prostitution".
Please keep all the “Marks” IN California. We do not want them in our state!!!!
How about we get rid of the idiots that voted these fools into office....then we can work on the sanctuary status and get rid of a bunch there?
Right on.
Many are leaving! Businesses including stores, restaurants and manufacturing. It's like the leaders of this State want us to give up guns go to a launderette, not shower, not vape in public but you can smoke that dope, crap in the streets, can't stop a shoplifter with a "billy club". Democrats are ruining this state.
People like you are the problem. Your time is coming to a end. There is a tipping point that you will feel real soon. The common people will rise and take you parasites out!!
The problem we have, is the libtards who move out of CA aren’t moving to NY, they’re moving to conservative places, where we the people had built great communities to raise our families. Then like vermin, they proceed to destroy our communities, while enjoying what we had built, and violating the freedoms we kept secure.
Wow your actually a nurse? Amazing I guess California let’s anyone get license now days ????????♀️
Hey Sharon....you prove the old adage “don’t say a word and only be thought an idiot”....you had to go and prove it.
On top of it all...try using you’re instead of your in that sentence next time. Didn’t stick around for YOUR english class huh?
Yes, very much “everyone”, almost like they let anyone enter their southern border, use the streets as a bathroom, masturbate in public parks, camp on the sidewalks, and throw used up needles in children’s playgrounds.
You should walk into any hospital and declare yourself a nurse, see how that works out for you. But maybe try learning the difference between “you’re” and “your”, it might be useful.
I really wish you would stay; I hate to see good people leave ---- especially nurses.
Of course I know some people have no choice.
Amen, sister!
The politicians and the rich liberal elite don't really care what you think as evidenced by those who would say, 'go ahead and move'. These foolhardy ideas will come back to bite everyone big time. Right now we are being eaten little by little and many don't notice. The few who can see where we are headed are correct in deciding to move. Life is short. There are a lot a great places to live.
"Right now, I don’t see a law that forbids people to move from this state (trust me, these Leftists will try)"
Trust ME - Nobody's going to try to prevent you from leaving.
Voters passed water bonds what 6 or 7 years ago? Not $1 honored as far as I can tell getting it done. No major infrastructure projects completed in this state since San Luis Reservoir about 1960. Voters passed HSR in 2008 how much of that got done? Hate to be a debbie downer but Dems will fight Reps on water storage, R's will fight the D's on HSR and the final analysis our state is stuck in the past.
D's have majority and super-majorities for years now. All you will get are more taxes, higher rates and LESS! You will comply or the heavy-hand of your betters are coming for you. $1000 for using more than 55 gallons or $10,000 is ridiculous. Talk about cruel and unusual punishment.
Frankly, any Californian that is surprised about any of this is a total ignorant fool. I'm appalled that so many are only becoming aware of any of this.
0% True.
There have been several completed
Not since 2008, many of these projects take decades, but definitely started and completed since the 60s
Can you please name some of those projects.
He can’t, just like they all do, they pulled it out of their lala land, and deemed it reality.
My question us will Gov Newson follow the same law as us working folks!!! NOT!!!
How about we remove all the people living in this state illegally, using up our resources FIRST? Seems like the logical thing to do to me. I could go on and on, but I think I'll just leave it at that.
Thanks Norma!
All these extra people who should not be here.
Totally agree! They let illegals stream in at will! They use water! They also hose the crap off off the sidewalks in S. F. from homeless people capping in streets! Politicians have no solutions! They don't stop problems early, they wait until it's overwhelming and then do nothing!
No, make you pay dollars and pay-heed-to-their-greatness! Comply or die is their attitude. And they careless about the latter.
A revolution war will happen in this communist state sooner than you think. Over taxation, over regulation, sanctuary b.s and second amendment infringements are about to come to an end. No more catering to Communists Chinese and illegals. This perverted little state will and must change. More militias are already forming here and in many other “democratic” run states in the US. Just wait and see.... these lunatic leftists have gone too far.
amen brother!
You’re exactly right. However, it won’t be just in CA, the civil war is in the horizon.
Only through the horrors of civil war will we be able to rebuild our nation, restore the middle class, improve the quality of life for our families, secure our unalienable rights, and our children’s future to grow up as free Citizens of a first world nation rather than serfs in a third world communist Banana Republic.
This state is just getting more and more out of control. Governor Newson, lets see your water bill for your residence. We voted for the water shed storage, start building them. We then will have the necessary water for future usage. Start doing your jobs and quit wasting time on stupid ideas . Homelessness is a big problem. Put some more effort into that.
I have a family of four adults and our recent water bill equated to 54.75 gallons/day/person. I've had my irrigation shut off for the last two months and I have all water saving devices throughout the house. How in hell is this going to work?
There is a way to separate indoor watering from the outdoor watering. The DWP has been offering this for many years. It's called a sub-meter. I'm a retired plumbing contractor who had installed many of these devices for customers with large pieces of property. The main reason DWP customers installed these was to lower their "SSC or sewer service charge". You could install it either on the domestic water or the irrigation water system. Most of the time you installed it on the domestic(indoor water) to get a true reading of what was going down the sewer drain. They then based their fee for the sewer usage. I hope this get vetoed.
People only use 10% That’s not fixing the problem...
How about giving resident incentives to save water, not fining them!!! That’s a thought. How about build desalting plants???? That a thought. You are NOT fixing the issue!!! Dumb, just dumb.