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VOA慢速英语2015 因为连日来的干旱天气,加利福尼亚开始限制用水

时间:2015-04-13 13:47:59

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AS IT IS 2015-04-10 California Limits Water Use Because of Dry Weather 因为连日来的干旱天气,加利福尼亚开始限制用水

The state of California is taking steps to deal with dry weather. Governor Jerry Brown announced last week that Californians must reduce their water use by 25 percent because of a lack of rainfall and snow.

Some local communities are developing new restrictions1 on water use.

This is California’s fourth year of below-average rainfall since 2012. The lack of rain and snow has created moderate to extreme drought conditions across the state.

Bill McDonald is with the Metropolitan2 Water District of Southern California. He says the new restrictions should help.

“Right now, we rely on a lot of snow and rain, and that’s not happening.”

Some of the state’s water comes from northern California. It moves through aqueducts, or waterways, to the farm-rich Central Valley and water-hungry cities in the south. Farms use 80 percent of the state’s water to produce much of the nation’s fruit, vegetables and nuts.

In general, farmers are not required to follow the new water restrictions. But many growers have already faced cuts to the amount of water they can take from public water supplies. They now pump groundwater for crops, and eventually will face more limitations on using it.

Catrin Chappelle works for the Public Policy Institute of California. She thinks the public wants even stronger measures to control water use.

“Our recent survey asked the question, ‘do you think local and state government is doing enough about the drought?’ And we saw the majority say, ‘no.’”

Some of the new measures are already in place. Restaurants will face fines if they offer water to people who have not asked for it. Gilberto Cetina owns a restaurant in Los Angeles. He says the restrictions will save more than just drinking water.

“It’s the water, it’s the ice, the electricity you use to make the ice, the cup when you give the water or, if you use glasses, the water you use to wash the glass.”

Some Californians say they are prepared to help. State resident Nicole Dura plans to cut back on the amount of water she uses.

“We can just do what we can – we turn off the water, and between brushing our teeth.”

Golf courses and other major water users will face new restrictions. Local communities are writing rules to reach the 25 percent reduction by next year.

Bill McDonald notes that California homeowners are being paid to remove grass from their property. He says homeowners are now being urged to grow drought-tolerant native plants and add drip irrigation systems.

“And that’s the future. That’s where we’re going, because putting drinking water on a landscape that’s ornamental3 is not a good use of resources.”

Other water restrictions will be coming for businesses, public agencies and California residents. Local communities and utility companies are tightening4 rules under appeals from the state.

Experts say there is no single solution to the state’s water shortage. But they say education, better planning and stronger measures can help the state deal with its periodic droughts.

Words in This Story

water – n. the liquid that falls from the sky as rain or is found in lakes, rivers and oceans

moderate – adj. not extreme

fruit – n. food from trees and plants

vegetables – n. plants grown for food

measure(s) – n. an action taken; a legislative proposal


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1 restrictions 81e12dac658cfd4c590486dd6f7523cf     
约束( restriction的名词复数 ); 管制; 制约因素; 带限制性的条件(或规则)
参考例句:
  • I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
  • a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制
2 metropolitan mCyxZ     
adj.大城市的,大都会的
参考例句:
  • Metropolitan buildings become taller than ever.大城市的建筑变得比以前更高。
  • Metropolitan residents are used to fast rhythm.大都市的居民习惯于快节奏。
3 ornamental B43zn     
adj.装饰的;作装饰用的;n.装饰品;观赏植物
参考例句:
  • The stream was dammed up to form ornamental lakes.溪流用水坝拦挡起来,形成了装饰性的湖泊。
  • The ornamental ironwork lends a touch of elegance to the house.铁艺饰件为房子略添雅致。
4 tightening 19aa014b47fbdfbc013e5abf18b64642     
上紧,固定,紧密
参考例句:
  • Make sure the washer is firmly seated before tightening the pipe. 旋紧水管之前,检查一下洗衣机是否已牢牢地固定在底座上了。
  • It needs tightening up a little. 它还需要再收紧些。

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