The Sacramento Regional Water Authority says the water conservation rate was 35 percent in June compared with the same month in 2013.
June was the first month of mandatory statewide water conservation rules ordered by Governor Jerry Brown.
Urban users are required to reduce water use 25 percent compared to 2013.
Amy Talbot with the Sacramento Regional Water Authority says the water agencies in the region are required to conserve from 20 to 36 percent. She says a key factor in the June rate is a reduction in outdoor water use.
"And that's either from people letting their lawns go and hopefully still keeping their trees alive,” says Talbot. “Or removing turf and their landscape was more water friendly."
She says saving more water in summer is critical.
"Summer water use itself is typically double that of the winter, so getting a 35 percent savings was a big achievement in June, because that 35 percent is double the amount of gallons we would get from getting a similar 35 percent savings in December,” says Talbot.
Talbot says, “cash for grass” is the most popular water rebate program right now.
She says people who let their lawns go brown or remove grass, are making a difference in water conservation.