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 Puts Water Restrictions In Place

North State Public Radio

Published March 18, 2015 at 11:46 AM PDT

As California’s drought worsens the state is implementing tougher new water restrictions. Redding is piling on some restrictions of its own.

The city was already under a stage one plan, but Tuesday night the council voted to head into stage two. Public Works Director Brian Crane says there are three additional actions.

“If it’s raining — any significant rainfall — you can’t water that day or up to 24 hours after the event,” he said. “That’s one item. The other two are related to more commercial development. And in restaurants they can’t just serve you water — they have to ask you first.”

Residents can only water landscaping between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. three days a week. Also hotels will be required to give customers the option of not having their linens washed every day. The restrictions go into effect immediately and will come with a $50 fine after an initial warning.