Gov. Brown: Water Conservation Must Be 'Way Of Life' In California
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS13/AP) - Drought-stricken California is taking a look at its strict water conservation measures after a welcome rainy winter in parts of the state.
State water officials were expected Monday to propose revising conservation rules that initially called for a 25 percent savings and were later eased to 20 percent.
Along with the proposal, Gov. Jerry Brown released a lengthy order that aims to make water conservation a way of life in the state.
READ: Executive Order From Gov. Brown On Continuing Water Savings
"Californians stepped up during this drought and saved more water than ever before," said Gov. Brown in a release. "But now we know that drought is becoming a regular occurrence and water conservation must be a part of our everyday life."
The call for changes came after El Nino storms left a healthy snowpack and brimming water reservoirs in Northern California.
Southern California remains firmly locked in a fifth year of drought.
Officials say Californians have saved a year's worth of water for 6.5 million residents since Gov. Jerry Brown imposed the conservation mandate.
The conservation orders apply to cities and water districts supplying most of the state's nearly 40 million people.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.