SAN DIEGO -- The water crisis might reach a boiling point Thursday when the San Diego County Water Authority is expected to declare a Level Two drought emergency.

The declaration would mean mandatory water cuts and higher bills.

It is safe to say San Diegans will have to cut water, and some residents will pay more than others.

Now, several local water districts are preparing their customers for life with less water.

On July 1 chances are very good San Diego County residents will be forced to use less water and pay more for it.

"And you know we want to be perfectly open with our customers, and if their rate is going to be going up dramatically then we want them to know it," said Rich Stevenson of the Helix Water District.

In the Helix Water District everyone's water bill is going up 20 percent. But for big water users, their bills are going to jump almost 70 percent.

"If you have a large yard and you choose to irrigate a majority of that property then you are going to be billed in our higher tiers," said Stevenson.

Stevenson said the Helix district is already getting the word out by mailing letters to heavy water users letting them know if they don't cut their water use their next bill could be significantly larger.

"And if they don't know their water bill is going to go up then they have no incentive to conserve," said Stevenson.

On a recent bus tour with the Metropolitan Water District, 10News learned other water districts throughout Southern California are mailing out shadow bills -- bills that show how much your bill is today and how much it would be after July 1.

"I thought I was fine because I thought I don't use that much water. But then I got the shadow bill and it rated me with my water use and it said you are an excessive water user," said Kevin Hemp of the Coachella Valley Water District.

Helix customers can find similar information on the district's Web site. On the site, customers could enter how much water they use now, and then see what they would be paying this summer.

The difference could make many San Diegans conserve a bit more.

There are 24 water districts in San Diego County, with each one unique in how rates will be increased and how much water is cut.

Each district should have an idea about the various changes before July 1.

Visit www.10News.com/water for more information.