California water regulators say cities showed their best drought conservation yet by cutting water use by 29% in May compared with two years ago.

The data released on Wednesday by the State Water Resources Control Board comes as communities are ordered to save water in case the four-year dry spell persists.

Board chairwoman Felicia Marcus say the data shows more Californians are doing their part during the drought. The board also says rain in parts of the state likely drove the May water savings.

Water savings are compared to 2013, the year before Brown declared a drought emergency.

Governor Jerry Brown in April ordered a 25% reduction in urban water use. Conservation has been lagging despite the historic dry period. The last report showed 13.5% conservation in April.