O.C. Conserves Water, but For Some, Not Enough

August turned out to be a good month in water conservation for most communities in Orange County.

Most, not all.

According to figures released on Thursday, San Juan Capistrano and Newport Beach were among the cities that failed to meet monthly water conservation targets compared to the same month in 2013. San Juan Capistrano conserved 26.6 percent, slightly below its goal of 28 percent. Newport Beach conserved 22.8 percent, below its goal of 28 percent.

Other county cities or districts that fell short of goal included Brea, Fullerton and Orange.

The only southland city that showed an increase in water use was El Segundo, up 6.1 percent in August.

Across California, water use dropped by nearly 27 percent during August, down from the 31.4 percent drop in July but still ahead of Gov. Jerry Brown’s mandate for 25 percent reduction from 2013 totals. Individual cities and water agencies were all given specific conservation targets based on past water usage.

“Millions of Californians stepped up to save water this summer and we must all keep up the good work because no one knows how much longer this historic drought will continue,” said Felicia Marcus, chair of the state Water Resources Control Board. “With continued heat, the danger of more wildfires, and no way of knowing when the drought will end, every drop of water that remains in our local reservoirs and aquifers is insurance in case of another dry year or more.”

Here’s the breakdown of water conservation in Orange County for August:

• Serrano Water District: 43.0 percent reduction (goal 36 percent)
• Yorba Linda Water District: 41.0 (36)
• East Orange County Water District: 38.9 (36)
• Trabuco Canyon Water District: 33.4 (28)
• Santa Margarita Water District: 29.1 (24)
• City of Tustin: 28.5 (28)
• City of Orange: 27.6 (28)
• City of San Juan Capistrano: 26.6 (28)
• City of Anaheim: 26.5 (20)
• City of La Palma: 25.5 (20)
• Mesa Water District: 25.3 (20)
• El Toro Water District: 25.2 (24)
• City of Fountain Valley: 25.1 (20)
• City of Fullerton: 24.6 (28)
• Moulton Niguel Water District: 23.5 (20)
• City of Newport Beach: 22.8 (28)
• City of Garden Grove: 22.5 (20)
• City of Seal Beach: 21.6 (8)
• City of Santa Ana: 20.1 (12)
• City of Brea: 18.4 (24)
• Irvine Ranch Water District: 17.8 (16)

-Martin Henderson and City News Service contributed to this report