Water savings continue for Petaluma customers

Petaluma residents, businesses and public entities continue to exceed California water conservation mandates, according to the most recent data from regulators.

The city had an average 28.2 percent reduction in water use for the months of June and July compared to the same period in 2014, according to the State Water Resources Control Board. It was the first two months that those mandates came into effect for water suppliers across the state, exceeding Petaluma’s target of 16 percent through February of 2016.

Since Petaluma had already voluntarily reduced water use amid California’s ongoing drought, regulators told the city it had only 16 percent to go in order to meet a statewide goal for a 25 percent reduction in use compared to two years ago, in 2013. Statewide savings averaged 29.5 percent compared to 2013, an accomplishment that regulators lauded given the hot summer months.

In April, Gov. Jerry Brown announced his order for water suppliers to reduce use or face fines, leaving it up to individual suppliers like Petaluma to develop a method for doing so.