Big drops in urban water use, state finds

Californians are saving an extraordinary amount of water, new records show, even after winter rains prompted state regulators to begin easing drought-driven restrictions on cities and towns. “We’re not out of a drought yet,” said Sejal Choksi-Chugh, executive director of the conservation advocacy San Francisco Baykeeper. “Once the mandatory rules are lifted, there’s not as much incentive to conserve. I don’t see this much of a conservation rate staying in place.”