California officials impose state-wide water restrictions

Wednesday, April 1, 2015, 3:57 PM - For the first time in the state's history, California officials have imposed mandatory water restrictions as the region battles a drought that has lasted for more than four years.

California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. made the announcement Wednesday.

"Today we are standing on dry grass where there should be five feet of snow," he said in a statement following a snow survey in the Sierra Nevadas.

"This historic drought demands unprecedented action."

Officials hope the restrictions will reduce water usage by 25 percent. Proposed initiatives include replacing 50 million square feet of city lawns with drought-tolerant foliage and requiring large landscapes like golf courses and cemeteries to make cuts to their water use.

As of March 24, more than 98 percent of California was struggling with dry conditions, with 41.1 percent in an 'exceptional' drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Approximately 37 million residents have been affected.

Sources: ABC | State of California