Cities and communities throughout California logged impressive water savings during the month of June, according to the State Water Resources Control Board. Figures released Thursday show the use of urban potable water in California fell by 27.3 percent in June, compared to June of 2013. The accomplishment came as nearly two-thirds of local urban water suppliers – 265 out of 411 – reached or nearly reached water conservation targets imposed by the Board in May. The collective water savings was particularly notable because it was the hottest June on record in California.

The pace of savings eclipsed Gov. Jerry Brown’s call in an April 1 Executive Order for an overall 25 percent reduction in urban water use because of the historic drought persisting throughout California. On May 5, the Board adopted unprecedented emergency water regulations aimed at meeting that goal. The regulations include mandatory water conservation targets for the state’s 411 urban water suppliers ranging from 8 percent to 36 percent. Agencies are required to report water usage to the Board on a monthly basis.

Brown’s Order called for saving 1.2 million acre-feet of water statewide by February. Conservation in June saved 59.4 billion gallons of potable water, or 182,151 acre-feet, putting the State on track for meeting the statewide goal. According to the Board, the agencies that met or came within 1 percent of their mandatory conservation targets serve 27.2 million Californians. The June reporting data for individual urban water suppliers, as well as further information about the State’s water savings efforts, can be found here.