California’s drought-ridden cities are on track to collectively meet Gov. Jerry Brown ’s call for a 25% reduction in water usage. But there is a notable laggard: the state’s desert resort areas.

 

Many desert water agencies continue to miss their targets, even after some have been slapped with fines. Officials in desert communities—which as heavy water users were given tougher goals than many other municipalities—say they face unique challenges, such as irrigating grass in the extreme summer heat.