Skip to content
Independent and accessible public media is needed more than ever.
Help us continue keeping communities informed and inspired.
Keep public media independent and accessible
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Environment
  • State Government
  •  

Californians Reduce Water Use By 27 Percent in June

  •  Amy Quinton 
Thursday, July 30, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
Damian Dovarganes / AP
 

Damian Dovarganes / AP

Water regulators are praising Californians for reducing their water use by 27 percent in June. But some communities still have a long way to go to meet mandatory requirements.

Statewide, 16 urban water suppliers are more than 15 percent away from meeting their conservation target. That’s the worst in the state. Those suppliers face state-ordered conservation measures and could face fines.

Communities have been given nine months starting in June to cut water use between 4 and 36 percent compared to 2013 levels.

“If they’re off their mark through the summer when the greatest volume of water savings is possible, it’s going to be incredibly difficult for them to make that up.” says Max Gomberg, conservation manager with the State Water Resources Control Board. 

The Rancho California Water District in Temecula only achieved 14 percent savings even though they have a 36-percent target. But Meggan Valencia with the district says she expects that to change, when people see a change in their tiered-pricing rates.

“A lot of times customers don’t make changes until they get that first bill in hand which customers are just starting to get those bills now,” says Valencia.

Gomberg says the board will discuss next steps with districts that are 15 percent away from their target next week.  "Our intent is to develop enforceable orders that will require additional actions to achieve additional conservation for this group," says Gomberg. "It's a small group but they’re significantly off the mark and we need to get them back on track."

The majority of suppliers met or came within one percent of their requirement. The city of Santa Barbara tripled its conservation rate. Madeline Ward, water conservation manager, says the city got some rain in June but people there are reminded of the drought every day.

“We have our local water supply quite visible to our community because our main source is our local reservoir, Lake Cachuma, and people see the water level consistently dropping and dropping over the past couple of years,” says Ward.

Urban water suppliers issued almost 10,000 penalties or fines to water wasters statewide in June, up from almost 2,000 in May. The state has also launched a new website that allows reporting of suspected leaks and water waste anywhere in the state. You can drought-shame at savewater.ca.gov. 

 View all communities conservation rate here.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about drought

  • State Of Drought

    Reservoir levels are at historic lows, municipalities are ordering mandatory conservation and farmers are bracing for water shortages. CapRadio is following how Californians are being impacted by the drought.

 droughtwaterconservation

Amy Quinton

Former Environment Reporter

Amy came to Sacramento from New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) where she was Environment Reporter. Amy has also reported for NPR member stations WFAE in Charlotte, WAMU in Washington D.C. and American Public Media's "Marketplace."  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Environment Stories

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Cal Fire fumbles key responsibilities to prevent catastrophic wildfires despite historic budget

June 21, 2022

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File

How idle oil wells leaked explosive levels of methane in Bakersfield

June 21, 2022

Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

Tunnel vision: What’s next for the governor’s plan to replumb the Delta?

June 22, 2022

Most Viewed

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

Governor Newsom signs bill to shield patients threatened by abortion bans in other states

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Hundreds gather in Sacramento to protest Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade

California coronavirus updates: COVID-19 vaccines saved about 20 million lives in one year, scientists say

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

Governor Newsom signs bill to shield patients threatened by abortion bans in other states

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Hundreds gather in Sacramento to protest Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade

California coronavirus updates: COVID-19 vaccines saved about 20 million lives in one year, scientists say

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.