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New California Drought Restrictions Mean Harsher Limits In San Juan Water District

GRANITE BAY (CBS13) — California's drought means even more water use cutbacks are slated for state residents, including those in Granite Bay.

Kevin Snow wishes things could just go back to normal.

"I'd love for it to be over, I'd love for a good ski season like we had 4 years ago, that was great. Wish we could have that every year," he said.

Instead of getting a last ski in for the season, he's looking at his grass, which could be on borrowed time because of water cutbacks in Granite Bay.

"I've dialed back to two days a week of watering, we've reduced our showers, and our dishwasher and all of that stuff," he said.

But now Snow and many others will have to cut back even more, under proposed new state rules.

George Kostyrko with the State Water Resources Control Board says after hearing complaints from water managers that conservation pain wasn't being evenly distributed, they made changes.

Now some cities who use less water will be asked to conserve less.

"Water districts that may have large lots, with bigger lawns, those are probably going to be the ones asked to do the most," he said.

The San Juan Water District that serves Granite Bay, Folsom and other nearby cities will have to cut back by 36 percent, up slightly from the last state proposal to meet Gov. Jerry Brown's 25 percent mandatory restrictions.

Snow, who plans to let his backyard grass die after his son's high-school graduation party, says it's all part of life in a drought.

"I don't think we have a choice," he said. "It's not like they are trying to dictate something to us; if the water doesn't exist, it doesn't exist. We have to do what we have to do."

The rules could change again, as the water resources control board is still getting public comment before voting on a final decision in May.

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