The Latest: Locals should set targets, water providers say

FRESNO, Calif. – The Latest on California drought emergency water conservation (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

Some Southern California water providers say local districts should be responsible for setting their own conservation target to meet the state’s drought emergency.

Fiona Sanchez of the Irvine Ranch Water District on Wednesday proposed this approach to the State Water Board. State regulators are considering how to manage water conservation that’s forced residents to take shorter showers and let lawns turn brown.

The current orders require residents of drought-stricken California to use at least 20 per cent less water to combat drought.

Sanchez tells water regulators that districts like hers should asses their own supply and demand to set conservation targets.

Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus says she fears not all local water officials would provide realistic assessments.

Some water districts in Sacramento say they should be exempt from drought restrictions.

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12:30 p.m.

California water districts large and small urge regulators to toss out or significantly relax emergency drought orders requiring residents to take shorter showers and let their lawns turn brown.

The State Water Board on Wednesday is holding an informational workshop to determine the future of urban water conservation in the state. California cities are under orders to use at least 20 per cent less water.

Dave Bolland of the Association of California Water Agencies says in a letter to the board that it is time to end the restrictions statewide.

He says the huge savings Californians have made no longer reflects the state’s improved water supply.

California is in a fifth year of the drought emergency; a near-average winter for rain and snowfall has eased the drought.