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Water conservation levels in California reached a record high among residential users in May, a sign that the Brown Administration’s conservation measures could have a long-term positive impact throughout the state.
State residents used 29 percent less water in May compared with May 2013, and Southern California cut its use 26 percent during that time, according to data released Wednesday by the State Water Resources Control Board.
The Bay Area cut its use by 32 percent, the highest of any region.
The statewide figure is the highest conservation level reached since June of last year. The previous record was set last December, when California residents cut their water use by 22.4 percent, according to the control board.
Those figures might be skewed somewhat, as cooler temperatures and rain in some parts of the state would have cut into outdoor watering.
California’s first mandated conservation ordinance began June 1 and will run through February. During that time, communities are required to cut their water use anywhere from eight to 36 percent.
