State shutting down fountains and sprinklers to save water

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -

Across California, state agencies and departments are taking immediate actions to curb water use at their facilities in response to the drought state of emergency declared by Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr.

The Governor's state of emergency declaration charged the Department of General Services (DGS) with "immediately implement(ing) water use reduction plans for all state facilities." "Throughout state government, we are answering Governor Brown's call to save water wherever we can," said DGS Director Fred Klass. "DGS is leading water conservation efforts at our state-owned buildings."

Some immediate steps DGS has taken over the past few weeks include:

Drastically reduced or eliminated altogether water used in landscaping at DGS properties.

Shutting off water fountains and water features on state property, including the State Capitol grounds.

Instituting a moratorium on non-essential landscaping projects at state facilities.

Cancelling contracts for water intensive-window washing at state facilities.

Eliminating all car washes in the state garage other than those required for safety.

Issuing guidance through the Division of the State Architect to nearly 1,200 school administrators on best practices for conserving water at K-12 schools and community college campuses.

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State shutting down fountains and sprinklers to save water