State Action on Tough New Drought Plan Is Rained Out

Proposed rules to impose water metering on all new homes and businesses in California and to adopt other drought-related conservation measures have been delayed because of recent heavy rains and snowfall, a state Water Resources Control Board official said.

Farm and urban water users have assailed the drought resolution as too restrictive, but it won cautious praise from environmentalists, who say rivers and bays suffer the most during drought years. It also would require water agencies to draft drought contingency plans and declare that urban water users could conserve 15% to 25% without economic hardship.

The drought resolution was drafted during hearings in June.