Experts and California residents discussed several methods to conserve water during the state’s drought. 

More than 30 U.S. states are experiencing moderate drought or worse this week, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System webpage. 

Alison Bridger, San Jose State meteorology and climate science department chair and professor, said it’s hard to determine if climate change plays a role in driving the current California drought as the state previously had dry periods.

“From doing computer simulations of the climate, we can say climate change makes the mega drought and the dry years more likely,” she said in a Zoom call. “Even if we’re in a mega drought, we’re still going to have the occasional wet year but it won’t be enough.”

She said January and February are some of the rainiest months of the year in the Bay Area.

“Even if we get an average March and an average April, it’s not going to make up what we missed,” Bridger said.

The total rainfall San Jose normally receives in a precipitation year, which begins on July 2 and ends on July 1, is around 15 inches of rain, but there’s only been about 8 inches of rain this precipitation year, according to SJSU’s Meteogram webpage.

The meteogram is one of SJSU’s models to show current climate conditions, including temperature and humidity levels. 

Bridger said although California is not experiencing “huge wildfires” or major water shortages, atmospheric scientists including herself have warned people about the drought and climate change during the past 20-30 years.

“We need to do a couple of things if it comes down to that. One way is to secure more water, maybe by using ocean water and doing desalination, cause there’s a ton of water out there but it just happens to be salty,” she said. “Or we radically change how we live our lives.”

Bridger said she suggests that people change their lives, accepting there will be less water around, using methods including taking shorter showers and using greywater for their gardens, because it would entice cities to ration water.

Liann Walborsky, director of corporate communications for San Jose Water, said the general drought is worrisome.

San Jose Water is an investor-owned public utility company with the mission to deliver “life sustaining water” to residents on top of delivering water-related information and customer service, according to its webpage.

“Last year, we had good rain in October and excellent rain in December,” she said in a phone call. “But January and February this year, I believe, are the driest on record.”

She said limiting water usage inside can be difficult because it may affect one’s quality of life but the company has a webpage for anyone seeking ways to limit their usage.

“People can determine how they want to conserve water,” Walborsky said.

Walborsky said the lack of rain is “here to stay” and people should incorporate water-saving methods into their daily lives.

“Unfortunately, whether it is due to climate change or something else, we seem to hit a point where droughts are becoming more frequent and that is unprecedented,” Walborsky said. “Make conservation a way of life.”

While people are deciding how to use their water, graphics design senior Sabrina Tran said she made personal choices to find ways to limit her usage at home, including taking shorter showers.

“We haven’t had a lot of rain and the reservoirs are drying up,” she said in a Discord call.

Tran said when she goes out to the local river near her house, she feels “pessimistic”as the drought continues.

“It’s kind of sad to watch and look at it,” Tran said. “I walk by it and it’s an empty bed.

There’s no water and I can see where it goes. I wish I had nature to see instead of dry dirt.”

Tran said she would still continue to live in California even if it continues to suffer from the drought.

“Because of climate change, every region has its own share of problems,” she said.

“I feel that no matter where I move there will be some new problems.”