On July 8, citing the state’s severe drought conditions and falling reservoir levels, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order asking urban residents in California to reduce water use by 15%.
On Tuesday, the first results were released. Statewide, urban residents missed the mark by a long shot, cutting water use 1.8% in July compared with July 2020. There were major differences across the state, with cities and water districts in North Coast areas like Sonoma and Mendocino counties — where drought conditions are worst — saving the most, and residents in many Southern California cities saving very little or even increasing use compared to the prior year.
Los Angeles and San Diego increased water use by 1% for example. In the Bay Area, San Jose Water Company customers cut use by 11%, San Francisco cut by 10%, East Bay Municipal Utility District by 8% and Contra Costa Water district by 7%.
The full list of 376 cities and water agencies is below. They reported water use numbers to the State Water Resources Control Board. Several water providers missed the deadline, including Marin Municipal Water District. All water agencies, under the governor’s order, are required to report the data each month going forward.
