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Calif. cities set record saving water

SACRAMENTO — California’s drought-stricken cities set a record for water conservation, reducing usage by 29 percent in May, according to data released by a state agency Wednesday.

Regulators hope the savings will last through summer as communities are under order to cut water use by 25 percent compared to 2013 levels. Governor Jerry Brown announced his mandatory conservation order in April.

Felicia Marcus, chairwoman of the State Water Resources Control Board enforcing Brown’s order, said the results show it’s possible to meet steep conservation targets.

California is in a four-year drought that has devastated some rural communities, prompted some farmers to leave fields unplanted or tap expensive water supplies, and dented fish populations. Many cities have avoided the brunt of the dry spell because of backup supplies and preparation, but the governor wanted conservation efforts ramped up with no clear end to the drought in sight.

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May’s water savings were the best showing since the state started tracking conservation last summer.

Associated Press