San Jose residents could soon face stricter drought restrictions as a local utility considers introducing penalties to encourage greater water conservation.
San Jose Water Company would call for ratepayers to cut their water consumption 15% from their 2019 levels or face penalties.
"I think it’s good to be prepared," said Jay Lund, co-director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at UC Davis.
According to Lund, the restrictions that have been put in place up until now will only take the water conservation effort so far. With the drought outlook worsening, stricter measures may soon be needed in the South Bay and elsewhere.
"It sends a clear message, this is more than a voluntary problem, this is something where we’ll really have to step up," said Lund.
There’s still plenty of opportunities to reduce consumption, said Lund.
"Structural, in terms of the landscaping, changing some of the appliances, but also behavioral," he said.
The company will decide whether or not to move forward with the plan early next month.
Related
