Local News in Brief : Water Use Drops 4%

Water consumption in Los Angeles dropped 4% in July and August, the first two months of a conservation program initiated to avoid a potential water shortage, city officials said Monday.

Officials, who are seeking a 10% water use reduction during the coming year, said they will continue to urge consumers to conserve this winter in the event rain and snow levels remain low for a second consecutive year and create a drought.

Water consumption for the two summer months was 2,252 cubic feet per second, a savings of about 4% when adjusted for population increases and weather conditions. The city said about 6,700 acre feet of water was saved, with one acre foot enough to supply a family of five for a year.