Santa Cruz is imposing water rationing for residential customers in an effort to reduce consumption by 25 percent because of California's drought.The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the restrictions, the first mandatory cuts to water use in 25 years.When the restrictions go into effect on May 1, more than 90,000 water customers will be impacted.Households with four people will be allotted about 250 gallons, and condominiums, apartments and duplexes will get about 124 to 174 gallons per residence.Those who exceed the limits will be charged more depending on how much over they go.The San Lorenzo River, San Cruz' largest water source, is at historically low levels. The city hopes the cuts will keep its Loch Lomond Reservoir at the halfway mark by October.VIDEO: Water rationing hits Santa CruzSeasonal rainfall in Santa Cruz according to the City of Santa Cruz Water Department (inches)For the past week: 0.0Season to date: 13.09Normal season to date: 29.53Seasonal rainfall at the Loch Lomond ReservoirFor the past week: 0.0 Season to date: 17.17Water level at Loch Lomond Reservoir (in feet above mean sea level; lake spills at 577.25 feet)Currently: 559.80Percent of capacity: 68.3 percent

Santa Cruz is imposing water rationing for residential customers in an effort to reduce consumption by 25 percent because of California's drought.



The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the restrictions, the first mandatory cuts to water use in 25 years.

When the restrictions go into effect on May 1, more than 90,000 water customers will be impacted.

Advertisement Related Content Santa Cruz imposes mandatory water rationing

Households with four people will be allotted about 250 gallons, and condominiums, apartments and duplexes will get about 124 to 174 gallons per residence.



Those who exceed the limits will be charged more depending on how much over they go.



The San Lorenzo River, San Cruz' largest water source, is at historically low levels. The city hopes the cuts will keep its Loch Lomond Reservoir at the halfway mark by October.

VIDEO: Water rationing hits Santa Cruz

Seasonal rainfall in Santa Cruz according to the City of Santa Cruz Water Department (inches)

For the past week: 0.0

Season to date: 13.09

Normal season to date: 29.53

Seasonal rainfall at the Loch Lomond Reservoir

For the past week: 0.0

Season to date: 17.17

Water level at Loch Lomond Reservoir (in feet above mean sea level; lake spills at 577.25 feet)



Currently: 559.80

Percent of capacity: 68.3 percent