With temperatures reaching the high sixties and low seventies this month and still no rainfall, California is facing its driest year on record. Though it is normal for California to experience droughts occasionally, none have ever been this severe.

On Jan. 17, Governor Jerry Brown officially declared a statewide drought emergency, asking Californians to consume 20 percent less water. Though Brown has not yet mandated water rationing, he indicated that the state government may implement them in the future. One of California’s more recent dry periods occurred during Brown’s previous tenure as Governor, in 1976 and 1977.

That drought prompted many water-saving trends to begin, including citizens installing low-flush toilets, purchasing recyclable showerheads, and replacing lawns with local shrubs that require less water.

Effects of this winter’s low rainfall have included lower levels of snowpacks, increased risk of wildfires, and worsened air quality.

A high-pressure system off the west coast has blocked storms for the past year, and scientists worry that it will never leave.

Environmental science teacher Dr. Kate Schafer has been closely following news of the drought and is conserving water by landscaping plants around the house to minimize their water needs.

“I recently read in The New York Times that they have determined 2013 is the driest year in California by two inches,” she said. “We’re facing the driest year we’ve ever had along with the hottest temperatures day after day. That combination is a concern.”

Freshman Winnie Li has also considered the effects of the drought in her daily life.

“I would think of ways to conserve as much water as possible and move to another place,” she said.

While some people have already felt the impacts of the water shortage, others are not as concerned.

“It hasn’t really impacted me yet, but as soon as there becomes a real limitation on things such as tap water, people will start to care more,” Raymond Xu (12) said. “I don’t think people care that much right now.”

California grows 50% of U.S. grown fruits, nuts, and vegetables, but the lack of water is causing problems. Farmers have already begun to feel the strain and are voicing their needs. The lack of fresh produce will mean that prices for food in supermarkets will increase as well.

In addition to California, ten other states have been designated as natural disaster areas that are at increased risk of fire, including Nevada, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, and Texas. The state will also be hiring more firefighters to combat the spread of fires.

Water-Saving Tips
1. Fix leaks in faucets, toilets, pipes, and sprinklers.
2. Save the running water when you’re waiting for hot water and use it to water plants.
3. Instead of washing fruit and vegetables in running water, wash them in a bowl of water.
4. Water lawns less and in the early mornings.
5. Take shorter showers and replace showerheads with water saving ones.
6. Turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth.
7. Cover pools with a tarp to prevent water loss.

This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on Jan. 27, 2014.