On Tuesday, California water regulators voted to approve fines of up to $500 a day for residents who are considered wasteful in their water consumption. Residents who waste water on lawns, landscaping, and car washing are among those targeted.
This decision has come in the wake of a recent report that has shown that despite the historic drought, California’s water consumption has actually increased 1% last May compared to the average water consumption in previous years. The study revealed that the South Coast’s water usage has gone up a whopping 8%.
The State Water Quality Board took action after the hard truths of California’s water consumption rate came to light. The state fell far short of the 20 percent reduction in water use sought by Governor Jerry Brown.
Fines and penalties will apply to wasteful outdoor watering only. Individuals washing a vehicle without a nozzle on the hose or hosing down hard surfaces such as sidewalks will be targeted by the new restrictions.
Any agency that does not impose these mandatory conservation measures could face state fines of up to $10,000 a day. However, many are unclear exactly how these new mandates will be enforced.
Read more about the penalty here.