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Gov. Brown Meets With Water Leaders As State Deals With Extreme Drought

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown is meeting with water managers from across Southern California as the state grapples with extreme drought conditions.

Thursday's water summit in Los Angeles is closed to the public except for the opening remarks.

Brown said the drought is a "big wake-up call" that water is a precious resource.

California is in its third dry year with rural communities being hit particularly hard. Seventeen communities in Northern and Central California are in danger of running out of water within four months.

• Watch CBS13's Drought Special

Water managers have said the situation in Southern California isn't yet dire thanks to water conservation and plumbing code reforms. But residents are still being urged to conserve every drop.

Earlier this month, Brown declared a drought emergency, paving the way for federal assistance.

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