--- title: "Wealthy Horrified That Drought Could Affect Their Luxurious Pools and Koi Ponds" description: "Following a prolonged drought, California's water levels are at a historic low point, with the government placing unprecedented restrictions on water usage." date: "2022-05-16" modified: "2022-05-16" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/wealthy-drought-pools-koi-ponds" categories: - "Science & Energy" tags: - "california drought" - "drought" - "the digest" --- # Wealthy Horrified That Drought Could Affect Their Luxurious Pools and Koi Ponds ![Following a prolonged drought, California's water levels are at a historic low point, with the government placing unprecedented restrictions on water usage.]() *\Image: Getty Images\* ## Water Cutback Following a climate change-fueled drought, California's water levels are at a historic low point, with the government placing unprecedented restrictions on water usage. Governor Gavin Newsom is pleading Californians to cut back significantly, [spending $100 million]() on ad campaigns to encourage water conservation. But all that talk is not sitting well with the ultra wealthy — many of whom enjoy vastly different living conditions than those in lower income brackets — some of whom are now literally worried for their elaborate koi ponds, swimming pools, and the cleanliness of their cars, the [*LA Times* reports](). "We have a few large koi pond \[sic\] with over 100 fish," a person said during a town hall meeting of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, as quoted by the newspaper. "Is there a special exemption for them?" ## Let It Mellow The surrounding communities are home to some big name celebrities, including the Kardashians. Big mansions with significant water demands aren't uncommon, with expansive swimming pools and lush gardens lining the otherwise arid landscape. Despite the pleas, the government's message is clear: reduce water usage at all costs, even if that means lawns go brown or pools need to be covered. "I think it would be helpful for people to understand we live in a Mediterranean ecosystem and water is not a natural, flowing product here," Mary Sue Maurer, the mayor of Calabasas, a city in the Las Virgenes school district, said during the town hall, as quoted by the *LA Times*. "We need to rethink these lush green lawns and perennials and focus on what the natural environment would be," she added. The Golden State is in crisis mode right now. Reservoirs across the state are well below their historic averages, [according to the *Associated Press*](), with state officials finding wells at all-time low levels and towns running the risk of running out of water during what is bound to be a very hot and dry summer. No wonder complaints coming from the ultra wealthy sound more preposterous than ever before. **READ MORE:** [What about my koi pond? A wealthy L.A. enclave copes with water restrictions]() \[*LA Times*\] **More on droughts:** *[Earth Should Brace Itself For Multi-Decade “Mega-Droughts”]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()