County water conservation report reveals FPUD and RMWD customers did not meet state-mandated cutbacks

SAN DIEGO – San Diegans generally saved large amounts of water

last month, but six local districts missed their state-mandated targets,

according to data released today by the State Water Resources Control Board.

Tops among the region's water savers were the oft-criticized customers

in the Santa Fe Irrigation District, who cut back by 37 percent over June 2013.

The residents of Rancho Santa Fe and Solana Beach came under fire for using

copious amounts of water earlier this year despite the continuing drought.

The state is using water usage totals from the same months two years ago

for comparison data.

The largest miss of state-mandated reductions was by customers in the

Fallbrook Public Utility District, which saved not quite 9 percent in June, but

had a target of 36 percent, according to the state data.

Overall, Californians reduced water consumption by 27.3 percent over

June 2013, beating Gov. Jerry Brown's statewide goal of 25 percent.

``Californians understand the severity of the drought and they are

taking action, as shown by the numbers released today,'' said Felicia Marcus,

chairwoman of the State Water Resources Control Board.

``We didn't know if the positive showing in May was due in part to

cooler temperatures,'' Marcus said. ``This report shows that residents knew

they had to keep conserving even during the summer heat and they kept the

sprinklers off more than they would in a normal year.''

The agency said the drop came despite the month being the warmest June

on record.

The other districts in San Diego County that missed their conservation

goals generally had among the highest targets to shoot for.

Customers in Valley Center reduced usage by 34 percent, but had a target

of 36 percent; in Rainbow, they cut back 21 percent but had a target of 36

percent; for Rincon Del Diablo, the reduction was 30 percent, 2 points short of

the goal; for San Dieguito, 18 percent with a 28 percent target; and Carlsbad,

25 percent with a 28 percent goal.

For other cities and districts, which reached their targets, the

reductions were, according to the state figures:

- Poway, 36 percent

- Vallecitos, 34 percent

- Olivenhain, 33 percent

- Escondido, Lakeside, 32 percent

- Ramona, Padre Dam, 28 percent

- Vista, California-American Water Company of San Diego, 27 percent

- Otay, Sweetwater, 26 percent

- Oceanside, Helix, 25 percent and

- City of San Diego, 24 percent.