SAN DIEGO -- With more than half of San Diego County's 24 water districts preparing for mandatory water restrictions, one district is not.

In fact, it will actually use less water than it was allocated.

Most residents in the county will be using less water when Level 2 water restrictions take effect June 1.

Drought conditions are forcing many people to conserve more.

Eastlake resident Jesus Lopez has always conserved water, and the proof is in his bill.

"I would say 20 to 25 percent savings just by taking a shorter shower, taking a cup of water and, you know, brush your teeth instead of letting the water run," said Lopez.

Lopez lives in the Otay Water District, and because of his efforts and others like him, the district is on drought watch instead of alert.

"Otay is in an enviable position because due to conservation and our efforts to utilize recycled water we're actually below our allocation," said Armando Buelna of the Otay Water District.

Otay is about 8 percent below they're allocation from the county and they expect that to increase to 10 percent.

Besides voluntary conservation, the district also recycles more than 1 million gallons of water a day.

"Pretty much all the open spaces in this area are all irrigated with recycled water," said Buelna.

It is used in places like golf courses and parks, saving up to 7 million gallons of potable water a day.

"Last year we used about 4,600 acre feet of water; that's approximately enough water to serve about 9,000 homes or more," said Buelna.

Despite the savings, Otay water customers will still endure a nearly 20 percent increase this September. The average bill will grow by about $10.

When water suppliers pay more the cost is passed down, which is disappointing for people, like Lopez, who are doing the right thing.

"In the long run that's going to benefit all of us," said Lopez.

But for now it is the reality of a prolonged drought.