[NCWD] – Newhall County Water District customers used 28 percent less water in June 2015 than during the same month in 2013.

That’s equal to the benchmark imposed by the state of California for NCWD as part of new drought regulations.

“Our customers met their goal for June,” said Steve Cole, NCWD’s general manager. “It’s a great start to summer, but we must remain vigilant water-savers. NCWD will continue to empower its customers with education, information and tools to maintain this pace.”

June’s conservation follows an equally strong May, which saw reductions of more than 32 percent. May brought favorable weather conditions, helping to reduce water use. June averaged approximately 86 degrees throughout the month.

District officials credit NCWD’s education-first approach for the sustained water savings. While the District increases enforcement for chronic water-wasters, it has doubled-down on a conservation strategy that centers on empowering customers with data and information to make smart water decisions.

Conservation through Empowerment

Central to this effort is the District’s Water Efficiency Target system – or WET. Recent refinements to this program exemplify the District’s commitment to empowerment. In fact, the WET program provides a total amount of water that should be used and couples it with ways to reduce normal water use.

“As water experts, it’s our job to provide a fair water-use target,” continued Cole. “But we’re not necessarily telling them how to use it. We believe that customers will make the right choices when given the right information. And right now, it’s working.”

Additionally, NCWD has launched grassroots and high-tech efforts to engage its customers. A recently launched mobile application allows residents to inform the District of water saving opportunities. Yard signs and direct mail, coupled with canvassing and door-hangers, are also reaching customers on a regular basis.