California water use plunged in June

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California’s unprecedented system of mandatory conservation imposed on cities got off to a strong start with water use plunging 27 percent in June, regulators said Thursday.

Data released by the State Water Resources Control Board showed 265 of 411 local agencies in California hit or nearly reached savings targets.

The governor ordered cities to reduce water use by 25 percent to prepare in case California’s four-year drought persists.

The savings came during the hottest June on record, which would normally lead to an uptick in water use.

“The June numbers tell a story of conscious conservation, and that’s what we need and are applauding today,” said Felicia Marcus, chairwoman of the water board. “We need to save as much as possible. That is water essentially in the bank for a future dry year or more.”

The report confirmed figures previously released by California’s largest cities, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco, showing strong water conservation.

The agencies that met or came within 1 percent of their mandatory water conservation target serve 27 million Californians.

Summer is peak water use season, and strong residential conservation could continue through July because of record rainfall in Southern California.

The worst performers, which include the water districts serving wealthy areas in the desert’s Coachella Valley and Temecula in Riverside County, will be told to ramp up water waste enforcement or limit days that residents can water lawns.