California Orders Irrigation District To Stop Pumping Water Or Pay $10K A Day
SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) — California has issued its first cease and desist order telling an irrigation district to stop pumping water under this year's tightened drought regulations.
The state water board on Thursday said that inspectors in May observed the West Side Irrigation District in Tracy pumping water.
Officials say the district had received a notice earlier in the month saying it didn't have a right to use the water.
The state order came days after a judge ruled that California could advise water rights holders to curtail use and issue fines if limits were exceeded.
West Side can appeal to the state water board. If it is found to be in violation, the district faces fines of $10,000 a day.
ALSO READ: California Drought To Cost Billions; Farmers Still 2.5M Acre-Feet Short Despite Drilling For Water
Thousands of California water users — mostly farmers — have received notices warning that there isn't enough water for everybody.
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