Drought causes shutdown of showers at California State beaches
The effects of California’s drought is striking again. Starting this week beach-goers will not be able to hit the showers at California State Beaches. It’s all part of conservation efforts.
The California State Parks department said it’s outdoor showers across the state will be shut off at least until the drought ends. Sunday dozens of beach-goers stopped by Cowells Beach shower stations without knowing it could be their last public rinse off.
“I can appreciate that. I mean the drought is serious I obviously just used this shower so it’s convenient. I enjoy it but you know got to give it up to mother earth and let her do her thing, and conserve,” Santa Cruz resident Renee Sully said.
There’s already signs above the showers that read, “Extreme Water Shortage,” and to be aware of how much time you spend under the shower head. Water officials said shutting off the showers could save more than 18 million gallons of water a year.
Sully said the public is going to survive without a quick rinse off after the beach.
“It’s part of the beach experience, getting a little sand. So you got to find your own ways, get creative to deal with it,” Sully said.
State Park officials want visitors to look for alternatives to showers like sweeping or dusting themselves off. Jim Cagney was visiting the beach from Folsom and he said he has his own plan which doesn’t require any water.
“I will take a nice long walk, dry off and towel off,” Cagney said.
The rinse stations may be missed but most folks at the beach said they missed something else even more.
“Lots of snow on the Sierra Nevadas,” Cagney said.
“To get some snow yeah I want to go snowboarding. Where is the snow at? And yes of course all the plants, the whole environment we need the water so yeah conserve,” Sully said.
California State Parks said it’s 278 parks have successfully met the Governor’s order to cut water use by 25 percent but there are still areas where water is scarce so more needs to be saved so those showers will be out of service starting Wednesday.
