In 2014 the U.S. Senate proposed a bill that would allow California to receive $1 billion in funding to help relieve the drought. Before and after images of the state’s rivers and lakes show the shocking impact and the severity of the drought. The state began issuing fines for car washes and being overall wasteful of water.

Everyone is encouraged to help conserve as much water as possible.

“I think they’re doing the right thing,” said Sacramento State student Ashley Kanady regarding the $500 fines the government has imposed for wasting water. “Green lawns, washing cars, are luxury we can afford to give up.”

Kanady said she felt the drought is terrible and that she had heard there are people who don’t believe California is actually suffering from a drought.

“Some people say it’s just dry season,” Kanady said. “I know that it’s absolutely terrible, I’ve been taking less showers, making sure the sinks are turned off, no leaks, the simple things.”

There are some students that believe the $500 fine is too high for the cost of wasting water.

“The bill is good, we conserve water but a $500 fine is a little too much, it’s a good punishment but too much money,” said Sac State student Angelica Chavez.

Student Linda Martinez spoke about what is going on with the drought and how she feels the government should do more.

“I grew up in Sacramento and seeing Folsom Lake was shocking,” Martinez said. “The government should make the fine more public, I still see people washing their cars, a lot of people don’t understand and don’t know how bad it is.”

Brenda Gonzalez, student, said she worries about the future even though she does not know too much about the drought.

“We might really run out of water,” Gonzalez said. “I’m not too informed about it but when I turn the water off, do dishes fast and efficiently and take faster showers.”

Some students are being taught in classes here at Sac State on how to help conserve water.

“I think the school is doing a lot with the aquaponics system,” said student Molly Trump. “It’s a close loop growing system that uses 10 percent of the normal soil water garden does.”

The class is a part of the school’s attempt to conserve water and the students have gone to Luther Burbank High School to set up the aquaponics system to teach the kids.

Environmental studies students also set up a booth on Thursday, April 16 to explain the system and method they were taught.

“We’re also working with the Sacramento Food Bank,” Trump said.

Vicki Archuleta, student, said everyone should do their part to stop wasting water.

“We’re all in this together,” Archuleta said. “A green lawn is nice but it’s not going to help us in the future.”

She also said that she wouldn’t mind if water prices were to rise because it would help in conservation.

“I guarantee I would use less if I had to pay more,” Archuleta said. “If we don’t stop wasting water, it’s gonna get bad real fast.”