Los Angeles Department of Water and Power crews continue their work to shut down all water flow into the area where a high-pressure water trunk line ruptured at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 29.

Crews are expected to work around the clock to complete the shutoff and make repairs at the site near the UCLA campus in Westwood, LADWP said in press release issued late Wednesday afternoon.

The state’s first-ever emergency regulations mandating urban water conservation became effective this morning following final approval by the Office of Administrative Law on July 28.

The public comment period on the draft Bay Delta Conservation Plan came to a close on July 29, capping a 228-day review period that began Dec. 13, 2013.

Twelve public meetings were held throughout California in January and February to provide more information on the contents of the draft BDCP and associated draft environmental impact report / environmental impact statement (EIR/EIS). The public meeting dates and locations are here.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District has launched a new summer water conservation media campaign that encourages residents to reduce outdoor watering and let lawns go a little brown this summer. The Brown is the New Green campaign highlights how a lawn can survive even with significantly reduced water.

The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors on Thursday unanimously activated the next stage of the region’s drought response plan and declared a Drought Alert condition that calls for mandatory water conservation measures.  The action also calls for the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies to set appropriate restrictions for their communities.

“Many Californians are very concerned that global warning will lead to more severe droughts, yet most believe that the current water crisis is a result of natural weather patterns,” said PPIC president and CEO Mark Baldassare.