California cuts water use by 27 percent

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. Prior savings have occurred during unusually wet months

“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.

Under water board regulations for mandatory water savings, communities have nine months to hit assigned conservation targets as high as 36 percent. Water savings are compared to 2013, the year before Brown declared a drought emergency.

Some agencies opposed the targets, saying they were unfair and unrealistic and didn’t give enough credit for prior conservation efforts.

Many that objected managed to reach their targets anyway, including San Diego which saved 24 percent in June.

Robyn Bullard, a spokeswoman for the public utilities department, credited widespread messaging that included an e-mail blast to customers and television commercials.

The water board is separately telling thousands of farmers that there is not enough water available to divert from rivers and streams under their rights.

Multiple irrigation districts have been challenging the curtailment in court.

A Sacramento County judge indicated at a Thursday hearing that she would side with the state’s new approach to warning of insufficient supplies after she ruled that earlier notices violated farmers’ rights.

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

The water board says it will contact every agency that didn’t come close to its targets and ask for more information about what it’s doing to conserve.

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.

Regulators have the power to impose fines on agencies that consistently miss targets, but they say that’s a last resort.

Water waste enforcement also shot up drastically in June. Agencies issued more than 9,500 penalties compared to about 1,900 in May.

Meteorologists say a wet California winter is increasingly likely as a strong El Nino condition builds in the Pacific Ocean, although it’s unclear if it will be a drought-buster.

A study released by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration says precipitation in California since 2012 was 20 inches short of normal, equivalent to losing a full year of rain.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Ariel Garcia, 4, was last seen Wednesday morning in an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Dr. (Photo provided by Everett Police)
How to donate to the family of Ariel Garcia

Everett police believe the boy’s mother, Janet Garcia, stabbed him repeatedly and left his body in Pierce County.

A ribbon is cut during the Orange Line kick off event at the Lynnwood Transit Center on Saturday, March 30, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘A huge year for transit’: Swift Orange Line begins in Lynnwood

Elected officials, community members celebrate Snohomish County’s newest bus rapid transit line.

Bethany Teed, a certified peer counselor with Sunrise Services and experienced hairstylist, cuts the hair of Eli LeFevre during a resource fair at the Carnegie Resource Center on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Carnegie center is a one-stop shop for housing, work, health — and hope

The resource center in downtown Everett connects people to more than 50 social service programs.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

A tribute to Ariel Garcia in his neighborhood on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Newly released 911 call retraces days before Ariel Garcia disappeared

Family reported Janet Garcia, of Everett, had become “very violent and aggressive” in the days prior to the death of her son, age 4.

Michael O'Leary/The Herald
Hundreds of Boeing employees get ready to lead the second 787 for delivery to ANA in a procession to begin the employee delivery ceremony in Everett Monday morning.

photo shot Monday September 26, 2011
Boeing whistleblower reports dangerous ‘shortcuts’ at Everett plant

A Boeing quality engineer claims the company ignored safety concerns in the production of the 787 and 777 jets.

Washington West African Center in Lynnwood hosts newcomers for Eid

Other spiritual gatherings will be held for the end of Ramadan, a monthlong Muslim holy celebration.

Firefighters extinguished a fire that displaced 5 people Monday at the St. Frances Motel in Edmonds. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Edmonds motel fire displaces 5

Firefighters kept the fire contained to one unit at the St. Francis Motel on Highway 99.

South County Fire Commissioner Ed Widdis swears in Fire Chief Bob Eastman on April 2, 2024 South County Fire).
Snohomish County’s biggest fire district has a new chief

Bob Eastman will oversee 350 firefighters at South County Fire, taking over for Chief Thad Hovis.

Graham Kerr, 90, leans down and kisses his new wife, Nancy, during Senior Expo on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Hotel Indigo in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Galloping Gourmet’ celebrity chef Graham Kerr is a Stanwood newlywed

The 90-year-old shared his love of Nancy, God and Costco at the Everett senior expo last month.

Sauk-Suiattle elder mali reads a traditional Lushootseed story to a group of children and adults Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at the Darrington Public Library in Darrington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
At Whitehorse Mountain Time, locals learn Lushootseed on ancestral land

Mary Porter, a Sauk-Suiattle elder, hosts storytime on the first Wednesday and second Monday of each month at the Darrington library.

A Boeing 737 MAX 9 airplane takes off on its first flight, Thursday, April 13, 2017, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
FAA’s ‘cozy’ relationship with Boeing at issue again after Alaska Air blowout

“At the FAA, they talked about being a partnership,” a former employee said. “I would call it more of an abusive-spouse relationship.”

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.