El Nino publicity and attention are making many forget that California is still in a drought. NBC 7’s Matt Rascon looks at how folks are remembering to conserve.
With a lot of recent publicity about El Nino, it can be easy to forget about the drought and saving water.
“I don’t think it’s a question of relaxed so much as it is fatigued,” Poway Mayor Steve Vaus said. “You can send the message over and over and over again, but sooner or later people think, ‘Well, my neighbors are watering, so I’m going to water.’ It’s a domino effect.”
Poway’s mayor said he reminds residents about water conservation at every city meeting. Though El Nino has brought some rain this winter, Californians have also seen plenty of hotter-than-normal temperatures.
So are people forgetting we’re still in a drought?
In cities like Poway, the water conservation target is at 32 percent, with a Level 2 water shortage alert.
As in many parts of the county, many have turned to drought friendly yard or allowing their lawn to be browner than usual.
Yet the restrictions have been difficult for residents like Steve Waryk, who has a lawn and a pool.
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“It’s a little tough on the conservation at this home. We try to do our best,” he said.
