California reduces water use by 7.5 percent

Sprinklers water a residential yard in the middle of the day in Pleasanton, CA, Friday May 16, 2014. The city of Pleasanton has made it mandatory for it's residents to comply with a 25 percent reduction in water usage to help combat persisting drought conditions. less Sprinklers water a residential yard in the middle of the day in Pleasanton, CA, Friday May 16, 2014. The city of Pleasanton has made it mandatory for it's residents to comply with a 25 percent reduction in ... more Photo: Michael Short, The Chronicle Photo: Michael Short, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close California reduces water use by 7.5 percent 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

(09-09) 17:04 PDT Sacramento -- Drought-stricken California reduced its water use by 7.5 percent in July, a year-over-year savings of 17 billion gallons, according to data released Tuesday by the State Water Resources Control Board.

The conservation comes amid mandatory outdoor watering restriction and up to $500 a day fines on water wasters. However, the cutbacks fall short of the 20 percent goal the state set in January.

Board Chairwoman Felicia Marcus said she was encouraged that the state is headed in the right direction. But, she cautioned that more is needed, particularly with projections of a dry fall and winter.

"More would be better," Marcus said.

The Sacramento region led with a 19.5 percent reduction in water use from July 2014 to July 2013, while the Bay Area, which already has low per capita water usage, cut back by 13 percent.

In June, water use statewide was down 4.4 percent, or 9 billion gallons, when compared to the previous year.

The survey was part of a mandatory data collection approved by the state water board of urban water suppliers. While 87 percent of suppliers covering 33 million people submitted their data, the board said it is contacting the 50 agencies that did not respond.

A previous voluntary survey, which had lower participation, showed the state increased water use by almost 1 percent in May, when compared to the three previous years.

The state board will require water agencies to track and report water use based on gallons per person per day beginning in October as part of emergency regulations adopted in July.

The new restrictions also bar residents and commercial water users from using drinkable water to hose off sidewalks and driveways, water lawns or gardens to the point of causing runoff or wash cars without a shutoff nozzle.

Fines for offenses are criminal penalties, similar to a traffic ticket.

California is in the third year of one of the worst droughts the state has seen in the past century. Every part of the state is considered to be in a drought, with 80 percent in the highest level.

Weather forecasters say it's unlikely a strong El Niño will develop this fall in order to bring much needed heavy rains to the state.