Caltrans Water Saving Measures
Sacramento, CA – Caltrans is using the state’s highways to urge water conservation. More than 700 electronic signs will be used to remind the public water is scarce.
Caltrans Spokesperson Tamie Mc Gowen says, “The signs will say, ‘Serious Drought Help Save Water’. Even though Mother Nature has cooperated the past couple of days in giving us water, it’s really just a drop in the bucket of what is ultimately needed.”
The signs will be activated when there are no critical emergency alerts, traffic safety messages or Amber Alerts.
In addition, Caltrans has implemented water saving measure of its own in regards to irrigating landscaping. Caltrans’ has outlined these steps for water reduction:
- Cut statewide irrigation activities by at least 50 percent.
- Delay all new landscaping projects in severely impacted areas until the next rainy season to preserve the water supply. Postpone all non-essential highway planting.
- Cease watering in areas of the state suffering from the most severe drought impacts.
- Expand its use of smart irrigation technologies, which turn off automatically when it rains. Such systems can reduce water usage by as much as 60 percent.
- Use recycled water for irrigation and other activities whenever possible.
- Forgo washing vehicles except when necessary for safety.
In January, Governor Brown declared a state of emergency and called on all Californians to voluntarily reduce their water usage by 20 percent.
