California Considers Easing Some Water Conservation Mandates
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- California is considering easing water conservation mandates for some cities and towns in the state's drought.
California has been mandating a 25-percent cut in water use by cities and towns since last year. The state Water Resources Control Board in February will consider slightly easing the conservation targets for some of the state's 400-plus water agencies.
Water board officials gave details Friday, saying they are considering reducing conservation targets by up to 8 percent for some water agencies. Water officials said communities that were especially hot or dry might get a reduction. So may communities with fast population growth. And communities that have developed desalination plants, recycling plants or other sources of new water might get a break.
California is in the fourth year of drought.