The Santa Cruz City Council voted yesterday to institute restrictions on water use beginning May 1. The City Council declared a "Stage 2-Water Shortage Warning," with the goal of reducing water use in its service area by 15 percent. The restrictions, following three consecutive years with less-than-normal rainfall, continue through October.
I'm pleased to report that through the collective efforts of faculty, staff, and students, we have developed a comprehensive water-conservation plan. These efforts, part of our overall commitment to sustainability, are described on a special water-conservation web site, which I hope you'll take time to visit. It provides detail on the new city-mandated water use restrictions and helpful water-conservation tips developed by Kresge College students as part of a month-long outreach campaign in March 2009.
Reaching our water conservation goals will require a collective commitment from every member of the UCSC community. Whether you live on campus or off, I encourage you to begin implementing your own water-savings plans today. Each individual contribution, however small it may seem, will collectively make a real difference.
