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Californians did a good job of saving water in October, a month of heavy rainfall amid easing drought conditions in a state enduring five straight dry years, regulators said Tuesday. Cities used 19.5 percent less in October compared with 2013, shortly before Gov. Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency. That’s up from 18 percent in September, and it reverses past months of backsliding since the state lifted mandatory cutbacks of up to 25
percent, officials said. October’s savings show that residents are committed to conserving, said Felicia Marcus,
chair of the State Water Resources Control Board.

Urging Congress to allow California to take full advantage of coming winter storms, the California Farm Bureau Federation said today it supports the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act slated for a vote this week.

“As California faces a potential sixth consecutive drought year, it’s critical for Congress to do what it can to assure we can capture as much water as possible from winter storms, while maintaining protections for the environment,” CFBF President Paul Wenger said. “The WIIN bill offers a balanced solution to help pay for long-overdue water supply, conservation and recycling projects.”

California’s House Republicans have been fighting for years with senators, in particular Dianne Feinstein, over how to improve water infrastructure and help farmers in the Golden State. Now, at long last, it appears something will get done. House and Senate leaders have agreed to add a provision crafted by Feinstein, California’s senior Democratic senator, to an omnibus water infrastructure bill that is expected to pass this month.

Imperial Valley’s water district, the Imperial Irrigation District, is demanding state water officials have a 10-year plan for the management of the Salton Sea by the end of the year or it will not agree to a proposed Colorado River drought deal. The Salton Sea is shrinking due to a water transfer deal that sends water to San Diego County and the Coachella Valley. As the lake recedes, wildlife habitat is being lost and playa, the lakebed, is exposed, causing a health hazard due to an increase of dust in the air.

California enjoyed one of its wettest Octobers in recent history and its residents responded by reducing their water use, state officials announced Tuesday. People in cities and towns cut their water consumption by 19.5% during the first month of the “water year,” compared with the same month in 2013. The savings marked an improvement from September, when urban Californians saved 18.3%, compared with 2013. “Californians’ continued commitment to conservation shows they don’t take water for granted anymore,” said State Water Resources Control Board Chairwoman Felicia Marcus.