After California's January and February were recorded as the driest in more than 100 years in the Sierra Nevada, Gov. Gavin Newsom said that an additional US$22.5 million will be invested to respond immediately to the drought emergency.
The additional allocation of this $22.5 million includes more funding for the Department of Water Resources, the State Water Resources Control Board, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Thus, more than one-third of the money - $8.25 million - will be used to increase outreach efforts to educate Californians about water conservation measures and practices.
"These investments continue to provide crucial support to impacted communities across the state," Deputy Finance Director Erika Li wrote in a letter to appropriations and legislative budget leaders.
Earlier this month, the state launched new video ads to encourage Californians to reduce outdoor watering.
On March 1, the state's snowpack survey showed that levels were dropping sharply after heavy storms in December. Current snowpack readings are about one-third below average.
In light of this, the Department of Water Resources is analyzing the most recent snowpack data and has indicated that it may revise its current forecast for State Water Project deliveries in 2022.
With the infusion of additional state budget funds, the Save Our Water campaign is gearing up to reach Californians with water-saving tips through social media and other digital ads, with geographic targeting to counties with high water use.
The campaign is also securing partnerships with retailers and other organizations to urge Californians to reduce water use in the immediate term and also to make permanent changes to the landscape to build resilience for the future.
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