We’re running a story this week about how local residents are doing a great job of saving water.

In the middle of a three-phase winter storm that some meteorologists are calling a “drought buster,” it may seem like we’re a little crazy talking about water conservation.

It’s important to remember, though, that the incredible amount of rain falling here is inconsequential. Most of it runs down our driveways and streets into storm drains that carry it to streams leading straight into the Pacific Ocean.

As much as we’d like to think we’re benefiting from the local rainfall, it’s snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains that provides potable water to Southern California.

Presumably the same storm is delivering an avalanche of snowfall to the mountains in Central and Northern California, so eventually the wet weather will be good for everyone.

It would be wonderful if water companies said, “The drought is over. Water is plentiful. The cost of water is being rolled back,” but don’t bet on it.

Water companies, both wholesale and retail, are like petroleum companies and gasoline stations. Prices go up like a gusher when supplies are low, but they go down like tar when the reverse is true.

Chances are, the rates will stay the same, even with ample rainfall.

With luck, the water companies might tell us by summer that we can start overwatering our lawns again.

But don’t expect cheaper prices.

There will be plenty of excuses: More demand from farmers, another endangered something-or-other and population growth. While it’s true that more people are moving out of California than moving in, the numbers still go up because of people having babies.

In conclusion, don’t waste water just because you’re floating in it.