They stuck out like skunks at a drought-resistant garden party.

While residential water consumers and suppliers throughout California won praise for slashing water consumption 29% recently, a handful of small water agencies caused bewilderment when they reported a surge in water use in May.

In Kern County, California City reported a puzzling 28% increase in consumption, while the Casitas Municipal Water District, in Ventura County, appeared to have boosted water use 26%. Likewise, the San Gabriel Valley city of El Monte reported a 10% increase in water use, while the San Joaquin Valley city of Reedley reported a 9% jump.

Conservationists wondered how this was possible.

Had they somehow missed Gov. Jerry Brown's order to cut urban water use 25%? Did they overlook the many public information campaigns telling Californians to take shorter showers or to let their lawns fade to "gold" instead of watering them? Did they ignore the potential risk of fines from the State Water Resources Control Board?

Embarrassed officials this week offered a variety of explanations for their increased water use, each of which provided a glimpse into the challenges that small municipal water agencies face in trying to comply with the state's first-ever mandatory water restrictions.

"It's frustrating," said Tom Weil, city manager of California City. "Hopefully the next time you see our numbers, there will be a difference."

http://www.latimes.com/local/califor...706-story.html


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