$500 fines for wasting water? California sets drought rules as conservation falls short
Urban Californians are still failing to meet Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goals for drought conservation —and could soon face $500 fines for wasting water.
Announcing that residents cut their water use by just 6.8% in November, compared to a year earlier, the State Water Resources Control Board approved new conservation regulations aimed at curbing wasteful outdoor use.
The November results fell well short of the 15% goal set by Newsom. In all, urban consumption has fallen by 6% since July when Newsom issued his call for conservation.
So far Newsom has resisted suggestions that he impose mandatory water cutbacks, although top state officials have said that could change if severe drought conditions persist this year. His predecessor Jerry Brown ordered urban Californians to cut usage by 25% in 2015, the worst year of the last drought.
The new regulations “may seem oddly timed ... in light of all the precipitation we’ve received,” said Dorene D’Adamo, vice chairwoman of the board. But she said the state can’t count on the recent rain and snow to continue this winter.
Despite a promising start to the winter, state hydrologist Michael Anderson said Tuesday that the next three months are expected to be “drier than average.”
The emergency regulations will stay in place for a year and would empower cities, counties and other local jurisdictions to fine violators as much as $500.
Californians can keep watering their lawns — but are prohibited from allowing water to flow onto sidewalks or into the streets. They won’t be allowed to water their lawns within 48 hours after it rains. They can’t wash their cars unless the hose has a shutoff nozzle. Municipalities can’t use potable water to irrigate turf on street medians.
Many municipalities, including the city of Sacramento, already have comparable regulations in place. Roughly half of the state’s 400 urban water agencies forbid excessive watering that lets water run onto sidewalks, or watering cars without a shutoff nozzle, for example.
The board’s vote takes the prohibitions statewide — and introduces fines.
Violations could bring a $500 fine, although the state will only impose fines on local governments violating the ban on irrigating medians with potable water. Enforcement on individual violations will be in the hands of local officials.
“There’s not going to be a statewide force of water cops,” said Eric Oppenheimer, the state board’s chief deputy director.
He said the state assumes that most local agencies would shy away from fines and instead would focus on helping residents comply with the regulations. Aside from compliance, the regulations would be effective in “raising general awareness on conservation and drought,” he said, “and making people more in tune.”
Northern Californians in general were better at conserving in November: Water use fell by 22% in the greater Sacramento area, according to the Sacramento Regional Water Authority.
Water consumption actually increased by 0.8% in Southern California.
This story was originally published January 4, 2022 at 10:40 AM.