Water consumption in the San Diego region was 32 percent less in July than the same month in 2013, the San Diego County Water Authority reported Thursday.
The July decline, helped by heavy rain from the remnants of Hurricane Dolores, followed drops of 26 percent in June and 30 percent in May.
According to the Water Authority, water usage in July was the lowest for the month since at least 1975.
July was the second month in which local water districts needed to meet state-mandated conservation targets because of the drought.
"We're off to a great start with water savings since state water-use targets took effect, and that's a credit to everyone across our region," said Mark Weston, chairman of the Water Authority's Board of Directors.
"It will be challenging to keep up the pace if high temperatures stick around for the next couple months, but I'm convinced that we can do it because of all the conservation efforts I'm seeing at homes and businesses," Weston said.
Water officials have been encouraging conservation since before the state required cutbacks to save water for next year in case the drought continues.
Following a Tuesday meeting on water issues with San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and other local officials, Gov. Jerry Brown praised San Diegans for their conservation efforts.
