California ended its voluntary statewide target, triggering concerns from experts that many water supplies remain depleted. In Santa Clara County, Valley Water is to reveal its local water outlook in mid-April.

The new restrictions were approved, despite the fact that the county exceeded Gov. Gavin Newsom’s call for a reduction of 15% compared to 2020, using 19% less water in July when compared to July 2020, well above the statewide average of a 10% savings.

The State Water Resources Control Board and the Santa Clara Valley Water District adopted tough restrictions on water use, as California grapples with a new normal climate that’s drier and hotter.

New data from urban areas suggests that people are ignoring the governor’s pleas for voluntary conservation during the drought.

After record-breaking snowfall in December, January and February were likely the driest on record, prolonging California’s drought. In Silicon Valley, the conditions could mean tightening restrictions and increasing rebates to reduce water use.

The statewide mandate includes prohibitions over watering yards, washing cars without a shutoff nozzle, hosing down sidewalks or watering grass within 48 hours after rainfall.