Californians saved about 30 percent less water in September than they did a year earlier, and state water officials said Tuesday they might revive mandated cuts. Overall, communities statewide conserved 18.3 percent this September compared with the same time three years ago, according to data released Tuesday. But compared with the same time last year — when Californians saved 26.2 percent in water consumption — water use increased by nearly 8 percent. The state changed its water conservation program in May, switching from mandatory cuts to voluntary cuts. Officials said they would consider another change if drought conditions persist and water consumption continues to grow.

Californians halted a three-month slide in water conservation in September, saving enough to hearten state regulators who previously had expressed alarm about possible drought fatigue. Residents and businesses cut their water consumption by 18.3% in September compared with the same month in 2013. The savings represented a slight uptick from the 17.5% reduction urban Californians managed in August. “I am glad to see the slide stop, and even reverse a bit overall, especially as we move into traditionally lower water-use months when we would expect [savings] percentages to drop significantly,” State Water Resources Control Board Chairwoman Felicia Marcus said in a statement.