FRESNO, California (AP) — Officials say residents of drought-plagued California fell just short of the state's mandated water conservation target in February.

 

Officials said Monday that Californians used nearly 24 percent less water in the month, missing the 25 percent water cuts ordered last year for urban users by Gov. Jerry Brown.

 

Felicia Marcus, chair of the state water board, says Californians did a good job saving water, despite coming up short of the goal.

 

California is now in the fifth year of drought, even though an El Nino weather system delivered a near-average year of rain and snow.

 

 

Here in the North State Chico's water savings was at 25 percent compared to the target of 32 percent for the month of February. Del Oro Water Company came the closest to its target with over 23 percent compared to 24 percent. Paradise saved only 15 percent compared to its 36 percent target.