By Bianca Pulido
Ed. Note: In early April, Governor Jerry Brown directed the State Water Resources Control Board to implement mandatory water restrictions across California to reduce water usage by 25 percent. Last Wednesday, the Bakersfield City Council passed an ordinance to limit outdoor irrigation to three days a week, effective immediately. Odd numbered house are allowed to water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Even numbered house are allowed to water on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday. South Kern Sol reporter Bianca Pulido talked to a few South Kern residents about California’s drought crisis and asked what they are doing to conserve water.
What tip would give community members to conserve water?
When doing laundry, fill the washer with as much clothes as possible into the first load to avoid a second load.
How serious do you think our water problem is? Why?
I think our water crisis is very serious because I have seen some water parks close down due to rationing of water.
Isabel Perez, 17, Lamont
What tip would give community members to conserve water?
Watering plants late in the afternoon or evening, because that is when the water is conserved in the plants the most.
How serious do you think our water problem is? Why?
I strongly believe that our water crisis is very serious. I have noticed that our water crisis is part of the everyday news and has already affected farms. There is less farm employment because there is no water to grow crops, which will eventually lead to an increase in prices due to supply and demand principles.
Karla Gonzalez, 34, Bakersfield
What tip would give community members to conserve water?
In order to conserve water we must live by a code: “If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down.”
How serious do you think our water problem is? Why?
I think our water crisis should be taken seriously, but it’s not. People don’t care that we are running out of water because it has not yet affected them directly in any way. I keep hearing about the drought, but I do not see a difference in our water supply, so I am not overly concerned.
Julia Rios, 17, Arvin
What tip would give community members to conserve water?
When washing the car use buckets of water instead of using the water hose.
How serious do you think our water problem is? Why?
I believe that our water crisis is pretty serious, I noticed that California has started to ration water and this concerns me.
Edgar Gasca, 18, Arvin
What tip would give community members to conserve water?
Repair leaky faucets.
How serious do you think our water problem is? Why?
I think our water crisis is very serious and I am concerned that if we don’t take care of our water supply, then soon water is going to be more expensive than gas. I have noticed the seriousness of the situation because the city is fining people who waste a lot of water, which is something that hasn’t happened before.
Fernando Pulido, 48, Bakersfield
Bianca Pulido, 17, is a senior at Arvin High School, she joined South Kern Sol’s youth reporting team in March.
