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Governor Calls for Mandatory 25 Percent Reduction of Water Use

Yesterday, Gov. Brown issued a new executive order (B-29-15) directing the first ever statewide mandatory water reduction. The order requires a 25 percent reduction in water usage across the state and emphasizes saving water, increasing enforcement and streamlining government response. Given this is the fourth year of the drought, hospitals having been conserving water in a variety of ways, using both short-term and long-term conservation strategies. CHA is working with the state regulatory agencies responsible for drought management and advocating on behalf of hospitals and their vital need for water to provide patient care services. CHA is also working with state agencies to obtain clarification of the order with respect to hospitals. As this advocacy continues, CHA urges all hospitals to reduce water use where possible and where it does not impact the delivery of care, infection prevention and other critical areas. Details of the executive order are available at http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=18910. CHA will continue to update hospitals on developments related to the drought as more information becomes available.