SAN FRANCISCO – Officials from the Bay Area's three largest cities are hoping to avoid mandatory water rationing by getting people to voluntarily cut their water use.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and a representative of Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums have announced a new public campaign to try to get people to reduce their water consumption by 10 percent.
As part of the campaign, officials are urging residents to do little things to conserve like turning off the tap when brushing their teeth and not spending as much time in the shower.
It's hoped the voluntary reduction will avoid the mandatory water rationing order similar to the one that the East Bay Municipal Utility District has issued.
The water agency has told residents of single-family homes to cut usage by 19 percent.
The agency's board will vote next week to implement fees for customers who don't comply.
Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, www.sfgate.com/chronicle
