Newsom Pleads With Californians to Reduce Water Use

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference about the newly reopened Highway 1 at Rat Creek near Big Sur, Calif., on April 23, 2021. Nic Coury/AP Photo

As the state’s drought worsens and temperatures rise, Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging Californians to reduce their water usage by 15 percent.

Newsom put out the request during a July 8 press conference in San Luis Obispo, where he said 50 out of the California’s 58 counties are now included in the state’s drought emergency proclamation.