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Drought's not over, but restrictions may ease up

Posted at 10:29 PM, Mar 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-26 01:34:32-04
San Diego County residents may not need to save as much water as they saved at this time last year.
 
“We’re easing our drought restrictions,” said Vallecitos Water District spokesman Chris Robbins. “We’re going to be able to let them use more water than we have.”
 
Robbins said the State of California previously asked Vallecitos customers to conserve 24% of their water.
 
“Because of the connection to the desal plant over in Carlsbad,” explained Robbins, “We’ve been reduced to 16%.”
 
The Carlsbad Desalination Plant went online in November.  Robbins said the 50 million gallons of clean drinking water every day has paid off for San Diego County.
 
“It got most of the agencies an 8% reduction,” he said.
 
Vallecitos announced Friday they will loosen restriction on power washing mobile homes and other structures. Customers will also be allowed to deep-water trees.
 
“It’s nice to see that they’re actually going to give back,” said San Marcos resident Sandra O’Brien.
 
San Diego County remains in a Regional Drought Response Level 2, which means everyone still needs to conserve water.