California adopts sweeping statewide water conservation framework

LOS ANGELES — After years of deliberation, California water officials on Wednesday voted to adopt a landmark regulation that will guide water use and conservation in the state for years to come.

The “Making Conservation a California Way of Life” framework will apply to about 400 urban water suppliers and require that they adopt water-use budgets and meet local conservation goals, among other directives. The measures are intended to help preserve supplies as climate change drives hotter, drier conditions.

The 5-member State Water Resources Control board voted unanimously to adopt the rules, which stem from two 2018 bills that directed the state to create new standards.

“As we think of , , the stressed watersheds from which much of the urban supply comes into our cities and communities, we need to show — for other states and for ourselves — that we’re taking steps