News

California Drought

California is experiencing the worst drought in its history, and the effects are being felt nationwide. Thus water issues have taken center stage in much of our reporting and the nation's.As the New York Times says, "Water has long been a precious resource in California, the subject of battles pitting farmer against city-dweller and northern communities against southern ones; books and movies have been made about its scarcity and plunder. Water is central to the state’s identity and economy, and a symbol of how wealth and ingenuity have tamed nature ..."As we continue through a fourth year of extreme drought conditions, you'll find all of our reporting on the related issues (and that of NPR and other member stations) in this centralized place.

Redding Saves More Water, But Shy of Target

North State Public Radio

Published September 14, 2015 at 11:59 AM PDT

Water conservation efforts by citizens of the City of Redding are paying off. According to State Water Resources Control Board numbers, the city has cut its consumption by 32.6 percent compared to July of 2013. That doesn’t quite hit the 36 percent target, but Assistant Public Works Director Jon McClain says that number’s in range with a little more effort.

"Nights are longer, and they are cooler, so it's not going to take as much water to maintain the landscaping at the levels that we've been doing as it would have in July," he said.

McClain says the city's parks department has cut back its usage by a whopping 43 percent and is still looking for ways to conserve. In Chico, according to numbers from the California Water Service Company, users have cut back by 44.3 percent compared to 2013. The statewide number is 31.3 percent.

McClain reminds residents of Redding that the odd/even numbered address system is still in effect, and a private security firm has been hired to patrol the streets at night to make sure that everyone stays in compliance.