El Nino storm hit Southern California

LOS ANGELES (CNS) – As the latest major El Nino storm hit Southern California today, local officials announced that DWP customers failed to meet drought-driven water cutback goals. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power customers cut their water use by 10.1 percent in November, compared to the same month two years ago — well short of the 16 percent conservation mandate imposed on the agency by the state, according to figures released today. However, DWP customers have reduced their water use by a cumulative 17.1 percent since June, when statewide conservation mandates took effect, according to the state Water Resources Control Board.

Despite heavy rains and expected El Nino storms, the deluge may not completely end drought issues, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. One NOAA official said one season of heavy rain and snow is not likely to overcome the past years of drought in California. Statewide, residents cut their use by 20.3 percent in November compared to the same month in 2013 — short of Gov. Jerry Brown’s 25 percent mandate — but overall water use is down 26.3 percent since the conservation mandate took effect in June. “We expected the percentage drop in the cooler fall and winter months when we use less water in general so we are still on track,” said Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board.

“The fact that per- person water use dropped to 75 gallons per person per day on average is proof that Californians are clearly thinking twice before turning on the tap.”

Some cities, however, continued to lag behind their conservation targets. According to the state, El Segundo residents reduced their water use by just 3 percent in November, compared to the same month in 2013. Since June, El Segundo’s water use has dropped by just 1.8 percent, well short of its 20 percent reduction mandate. Hawthorne residents are also far short of their goal, cutting back by a cumulative 9.8 percent since June despite a 16 percent mandate. The Hawthorne conservation rate in November was 4 percent.