State reduced water use 27% in June; hit conservation target

California residents reduced their water use by 27% in June, beating state-mandated targets during the crucial first month of summer, according to figures released today by the State Water Resources Control Board.

The results followed a strong May in which California residents reduced consumption by 29%. By contrast, conservation hit just 14% in April and 4% in March.

Californians must cumulatively reduce water use by at least 25% between June and February as compared to the same months in 2013, under rules adopted by the water board in response to the drought. June was the first month when conservation will count toward that target.

Cities and agencies must cut usage by varying amounts based on how much water they typically use.

Conservation during the summer months is critical because so much water is typically used as temperatures rise and Californians rely on sprinkler systems to maintain their lawns. The June figures show that the newly-brown lawns seen across the state are making a difference in water consumption.

“Californians understand the severity of the drought and they are taking action, as shown by the numbers released today,” said Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, in a prepared statement. “This report shows that residents knew they had to keep conserving even during the summer heat and they kept the sprinklers off more than they would in a normal year.”

This story will be updated.

This story was originally published July 30, 2015 at 11:19 AM with the headline "State reduced water use 27% in June; hit conservation target."