Culver City Observer -

Culver City fell short in its 16% goal in December by 2% of water savings yet remained ahead of the savings mandated by the State of California starting June 1, 2015. To date the city has saved 17.6%.

The report was issued by Golden State Water. Golden State Water customers have made a significant impact during the drought, heeding the state’s directive to reduce water-use compared to 2013. During the last seven months (June-December 2015), its customers have saved nearly 8.5 billion gallons of the precious resource (compared to the same period in 2013).

Cautiously optimistic Golden State reports that El Niño conditions this winter have provided periods of heavy rain and snow for parts of California, helping to increase water levels in key reservoirs and recharge groundwater basins throughout the state.

They caution users to remember that while current weather conditions are encouraging, it’s important to remember that the state remains in a drought emergency and it may take several wet years for depleted water supplies to be replenished following four consecutive dry years.

On April 1, 2015 Governor Jerry Brown ordered that the State Water Resources Control Board impose restrictions to achieve a statewide 25% reduction in potable urban water usage through February 28, 2016. These restrictions require water suppliers to California's cities and towns to reduce usage as compared to the amount used in 2013.

The Governor also ordered the Department of Water Resources to shall a statewide initiative, in partnership with local agencies, to collectively replace 50 million square feet of lawns and ornamental turf with drought tolerant landscapes.

The Department has provided funding to allow for lawn replacement programs in underserved communities, which will complement local programs already underway across the state.

The Water Board has imposed restrictions to require that commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, such as campuses, golf courses, and cemeteries, to implement water efficiency measures to reduce potable water usage in an amount consistent with the reduction targets.

Ornamental turf on public street medians cannot be irrigated with potable water and newly constructed homes and buildings can only be irrigated with water delivered by drip or microspray systems.

The Governor’s order expires on February 28.