Water conservation efforts in Lemoore are getting tricky

LEMOORE, Calif. (KFSN) -- Water conservation efforts are getting tricky in Lemoore. The city has nine months to meet a state requirement and cut back on water by 32 percent.

According to a recent report, the city is at 13 percent. But city officials say that number is skewed by industrial usage. They say cheese and tomato plants use a lot of city water. Even though they are using less than they have in the past, according to plant managers. But the city says, conservation numbers would be greater, if industrial usage was excluded.

Interim City Manager Ron Hoggard said, "I think that needs to be taken into consideration when trying to factor in, how much water we need to conserve."

The city has sent the state a letter and city officials are now looking for more ways to save because temperatures are going up and residential use will likely, also go up.