California May Impose Mandatory Water Restrictions, $500 Fines For Wasters During Record Drought
SACRAMENTO (CBS SF) -- Drought ravaged California could be on the brink of mandatory water restrictions on water use, with fines of up to $500 a day for those who don't comply.
The State Water Resources Control Board is considering the proposal next week.
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If approved, the regulations would be in effect for nine months.
Among the restrictions, Californians would not be able to water lawns to the point where it causes runoff, use water to wash hard surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways, or use a hose to wash a car unless the hose has a shutoff valve.
"We are in a drought of historic proportions," board Chairwoman Felicia Marcus told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "Many urban water users don't realize how bad this drought is. They're not seeing the communities that are actually running out of water. ... They don't see the streams and creeks running dry."
Tickets could be issued by any public employee empowered to enforce laws.
Marcus said if the drought continues, the board could consider additional restrictions on water use.
