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Contra Costa Asks 500,000 Water Users For Cuts Of 15 Percent

CONCORD (CBS SF) -- The Contra Costa Water District is asking its roughly half-million users to cut their water use by 15 percent in an effort to help weather the ongoing drought.

The district's board of directors voted unanimously at its meeting in Concord on Wednesday night to approve a 2014 Drought Management Program that calls for the users to voluntarily cut the amount of water they use by 15 percent compared to their typical water usage.

The program is similar to many California water districts' plans to conserve water after Gov. Jerry Brown's emergency drought declaration in January and amid fears that the drought could continue into next year.

The voluntary program asks district water users to reduce outdoor water use when possible and to cut down on wasteful water use.

"California is in a serious statewide drought and we all must do our part to conserve," said Joseph Campbell, the district board's president.

"Combined with this voluntary program, CCWD is efficiently using all the resources our customers have wisely invested in to manage through multiple dry years, including storage in Los Vaqueros (Reservoir)," Campbell said.

The Los Vaqueros Reservoir, which distributes water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta stretches east from Concord through to Livermore, underwent an expansion that was completed in 2012.

The expanded water storage capacity is expected to help the district get through the current drought, but more must be done to save water as dry conditions persist.

District officials say customers who meet the drought program's conservation goals by saving water will also save money on their water bills.

To get an idea of how much water is usually used at their property, customers can look at the back of their water bill or call the district's customer service line at (925) 688-8044.

© Copyright 2014 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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