IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Faced with a historic drought, California residents cut their water use substantially as 2014 drew to a close.
Water consumption statewide in November was down 9.8 percent year-over-year, an improvement compared with October when it appeared the state’s water conservation might be slipping, according to a report released Tuesday by the state Water Resources Control Board.
The data, based on a survey of 400 urban water retailers, found that some submarkets are experiencing noticeable increases in their conservation efforts.
Since July, when the board began collecting information, more than 105 billion gallons have been saved statewide. That’s enough water to supply 1.3 million Californians for one year.
The recent early-season rains provided about one-third of the water needed to end the drought, which is now in its third year, the report stated.
“It’s clear that residents understand we are in a prolonged drought and that many continue to conserve water, even as we enjoy welcome rain and runoff,” said Felicia Marcus, state water board chair, in a statement. “That is good news because it will take far more rain and snow to get us back to normal. Conservation is still the smartest and most cost-effective way to deal with this difficult drought.”
Water conservation last year reached its peak in August, when state water use was cut 11.6 percent compared with August 2013, according to the report.
