Cold months means little conservation for California

Since Governor Jerry Brown implemented mandatory water use reductions last June, Californians have saved 26.3 percent, in comparison to 2013. Although this number has made great strides throughout the region, Governor Brown has considered extending the mandatory water cutbacks – known as emergency conservation regulations – as a means of helping cure the California drought.

As the colder months have approached, conservation numbers have fallen. The reason? Outdoor irrigation drops dramatically during the cold, rainy months. Californians have traditionally conserved during these wet periods, making it almost impossible for them to further conserve as the California drought plagues on.

“We expected the percentage drop in the cooler fall and winter months when we use less water in general so we are still on track,” said Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board. “The fact that per person water use dropped to 75 gallons per person per day on average is proof that Californians are clearly thinking twice before turning on the tap. As welcome as recent rain and snow are, we’ve been in such a deep drought that we won’t know until spring whether we can let up on conservation.”

The drop in conservation numbers began in October, with 22.3 percent savings, followed by just 20.3 percent in November.

Although the number seems fairly consistent, 20 percent of small water suppliers, who serve less than 3,000 customers, are out of compliance with drought regulations or they cannot access water usage.