California eases water restrictions

California has loosened emergency restrictions on water conservation after El Nino-driven storms boosted reservoir levels this winter in parts of the state, authorities announced. The State Water Resources Control Board voted unanimously on Wednesday to roll back strict conservation rules and to allow local communities to set their own savings targets based on water supply. That means that regions that received a lot of rain will see fewer restrictions, while dry regions will still have to abide by strict conservation measures. "El Nino didn't save us, but this winter gave us some relief," water board chair Felicia Marcus said in a statement.