George Kostyrko, a spokesperson for the State Water Resources Control Board, said agencies like SWRCB and DWR will continue focusing on water conservation, as they did during the drought.
The board met Feb. 20 to hear from the public and consider adopting new regulations for water conservation.
John Leahigh, principal engineer for the State Water Project, said last month that this year’s precipitation levels are dismal.
“We are coming off of what was the wettest year on record, last year,” he said.
“This is the third driest on record since 1977 and 1991,” Leahigh added, in regards to precipitation in the Sacramento area, and most of California.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts below-normal precipitation conditions for much of California.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for California, as of Feb. 13, about 80 percent of the state is defined as abnormally dry, or drought condition.
“Just three months ago, 25 percent of the state would be characterized as those categories.” Leahigh added.
“That’s a pretty dramatic turnaround.” Looking ahead, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts below-normal precipitation conditions for much of California.
State reservoirs have above average storage to date, Leahigh said.