As the Valley warms up lawns are being put to a test due to water regulations

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- This week's warm up will put Valley lawns, made green by recent rain, through a stress test. But the state continues to call for more conservation as we are now in our fifth year of drought.

The State Water Resources Control Board will decide in May how much we'll all be expected to cut back. Valley cities should see a little but not a lot of relief from Governor Brown's drought orders.

The statewide snowpack is closer to normal this year but drought regulations are expected to stay in place. Last year's California emergency order called on restaurants like Uncle Buddy's Smokehouse and Grill in Old Town Clovis to not automatically serve water to their customers. Restaurant owner Johni Jennings doesn't expect that to change.

"I know that we got a lot of rain, which was very nice, and a lot of snow, but not enough to pull us out of this completely. So we just put water on the table when asked."

Monthly fines have been suspended in Clovis. Some people like Rosemarie Lindbeck were meeting the city's conservation target of 36-percent less water usage when compared to 2013.

"Well, I save my water when I rinse my dishes. I save my water when I take a shower and go out and throw it on my lawn, or my flowers, outside in the front. Yeah, so I try to time my showers," said Lindbeck.

On Friday, Clovis residents can begin watering their lawns two days a week-- but state regulations will still prohibit them from rinsing off their pavement and watering within 48 hours of a measurable rain. Clovis Public Utilities Director Luke Serpa expects the state to extend those rules through next October.

"In reality, when you look at the big picture of total water those are fairly symbolic. It's not really going to save a lot of water. Probably it's biggest benefit is it keeps water conservation in people's mind," said Serpa.

Serpa said the state lowered the city's conservation target from 36 to 32-percent but hopes that figure will drop even more when a final decision is made in May.

Fines have been suspended in Clovis for not meeting a monthly conservation target but keep in mind, residents can still be cited for watering on the wrong day and for using a hose without a shut-off nozzle.