On May 9, 2016, the governor issued Executive Order Executive Order B-37-16, establishing long-term water conservation measures that include permanent monthly water use reporting, new urban water use targets, reducing system leaks and eliminating clearly wasteful practices, strengthening urban drought contingency plans and improving agricultural water management and drought plans.
In April 2017, the Department of Water Resources, the State Water Resources Control Board, the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the California Energy Commission released their final report on Executive Order B-37-16, entitled Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life. This report provides a statewide framework for using water more wisely, eliminating waterwaste, strengthening local drought resilience, and improving agricultural water use efficiency and drought planning.
Permanent Statewide Water Use Restrictions
- Prohibitions on using a hose to clean driveways or sidewalks.
- A ban on overwatering landscape that results in runoff.
- Requiring restaurants to serve water only upon request.
- A mandate that the hospitality industry offer optional laundering of sheets and towels.