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California governor orders officials to impose mandatory water restrictions

In this July 29, 2014 file photo, a water conservation sign is displayed outside of City Hall in Santa Cruz, Calif.
In this July 29, 2014 file photo, a water conservation sign is displayed outside of City Hall in Santa Cruz, Calif. AP Photo/Bay Area News Group, Patrick Tehan, File

ECHO LAKE, Calif. – California Gov. Jerry Brown has ordered state officials to impose mandatory water restrictions for the first time in history as the state grapples with a serious drought.

In an executive order issued Wednesday, Brown ordered the state water board to implement reductions in cities and towns to cut usage by 25 per cent.

READ MORE: Drought-stricken California to measure snowpack after previous declines

Photo gallery: The California drought

The move will impact residents, businesses, farmers and other users.

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Brown says the historic drought demands unprecedented action.

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The order also will require campuses, golf courses, cemeteries and other large landscapes to significantly cut water use and ban watering of grass on public street medians.

Brown made the announcement as state officials conducted the winter’s final manual survey of the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada.

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