Mealey's (June 17, 2015, 1:44 PM EDT) -- SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Calif. Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. on April 1 signed an executive order to reduce water consumption in the wake of a two-year drought and the smallest mountain snowpack ever, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

The California Water Resources Control Board was directed to implement mandatory water reductions of 25 percent in cities and towns.

The state will also:

• Partner with local governments to replace 50 million square feet of lawns with “drought tolerant” landscaping.

• Create a...