First day of strict new water restrictions in the city of Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- It's the first day of stage two water restrictions in California. Fresno's department of water conservation has already received triple the amount of calls than they do on an average day.

"We don't just drive around looking for these we are pointed in that direction," said Supervisor Nora Laikam. "People will call us about what they've observed."

She said those calls are mostly questions about water restrictions and neighbor on neighbor complaints. But some of those complaints can't be filed. As places like Mountain View Cemetery aren't restricted because they're using their own well.

Roughly 70 businesses that do use city water are exempt from the restrictions, because they're more than three acres in size. That list is renewed every December until now.

"They definitely will have reduced watering. But they could also be cut from the list as well," said Laikam.

Fresno Unified School District is one of the 70 on that exemption list.

They tell us, "Fresno Unified is working very hard to be responsible with our water use. We are using both conservation and maintenance efforts to reduce water use, while still maintaining healthy green space for our students and community."

They say watering grass on school property is important for allergy and air quality purposes. But Laikam also told us despite the exemptions, people can still be wasting and mismanaging their water usage. She said you can call into their water conservation hotline to report any concerns.