Without Mandatory Cuts, California Water Conservation Falters
FRESNO (AP) -- Regulators say water conservation continues to slip in drought-stricken California after officials lifted mandatory cutbacks.
Max Gomberg, a senior climate scientist for the State Water Resources Control Board, said officials on Wednesday will release the figures for how well Californians cutback their water use in August.
California just entered its sixth year of a historic drought.
Last winter delivered a near-average amount of rain and snow mostly in Northern California, but it wasn't enough to end the long dry spell.
Gomberg says he's concerned by the latest monthly results.
He says that come January regulators in Sacramento will consider returning to state-mandated water restrictions like those last year requiring residents to use a quarter less water.
