Officials to say how well Californians are saving water in drought

State regulators will provide their monthly update on how well Californians are conserving water during a historic drought.

The State Water Resources Control Board says that on Thursday it will provide the figures for January, the eighth month of mandatory conservation. Gov. Jerry Brown last year required residents and businesses to use 25 percent less water compared to use in 2013, the year before declaring a drought emergency.

In December, Californians used 18 percent less water, falling short of the target for a third straight month.

The state, however, had saved a combined 25.5 percent since June.

Officials have extended the conservation order through October, uncertain if the El Nino will ease drought.

Early winter storms blanketed the Sierra Nevada with an above-average snowpack, which has since dipped below normal.