SACRAMENTO-

Local water agencies were hit hard by State Water Board regulations that call for cutbacks of between 24 percent and 36 percent, much higher than in other parts of the state.

Agencies say they will comply even though they don’t agree with the severity of the cutbacks. Many feel that they didn’t receive credit for the larger home lots, hotter climate, and past conservation efforts.

The Carmichael Water District got the maximum cutback of 36 percent, even though it has cut consumption 40 percent since the late ’90s.

In addition, voluntary efforts by customers resulted in a 20 percent water savings last year.

“That’s definitely one of the things we do want the state board want to take into consideration…all the work that’s been done by Carmichael Water District and other surrounding agencies,” said district spokesperson Chris Nelson.

Still, water use in Carmichael and other districts are as much as twice the amount per person as is used in some communities in California.

“The per capita number, as imperfect as it may be, seems to us to be a real factual metric,” State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus told Fox40 News just before the new regulations were announced.

The Carmichael district’s board will determine how the additional savings will be achieved. Because the 36 percent target is based on 2013 usage, last year’s 20 percent savings means the district must actually save an additional 16 percent.

Like most of the region’s districts, the Carmichael district will step up education and voluntary programs rather than use fines or increased water rates to reach its target.

Carmichael resident John Keller is already watering less, using low flush toilets and taking shorter showers. He hopes that his neighbors will do more voluntarily rather than have the district resort to fines and rate increases.

“I think it’s better to dangle the carrot rather than use the whip,” Keller said.