California approves fines for water-wasters

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The state of California approved new fines for water wasters. State water regulators say fines up to $500 a day will be imposed on any resident violating the water rules during the drought.

The strict state-wide water emergency regulations are the first in state and possibly the nation's history. The restrictions prohibit people from washing their cars with a hose unless it has a shut-off nozzle, washing their sidewalks or driveways, and running fountains that don't recirculate water.

The State Water Resources Control Board says the restrictions could save enough water to supply more than three-and-a-half million people for a year. The new fines will take affect August 1, 2014.

Watch the video for extended coverage from Action News reporter Linda Mumma.

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California approves fines for water-wasters

DON THOMPSON - Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California water regulators have voted to approve fines up to $500 a day for residents who waste water on lawns, landscaping and car washing.

The action on Tuesday by the State Water Quality Control Board came after its own survey showed that conservation measures to date have failed to achieve the 20 percent reduction in water use sought by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Survey results released before the 4-0 vote showed that water consumption throughout California had actually risen by 1 percent this past May compared to the same month in previous years.

The fines will apply only to wasteful outdoor watering, including hosing down hard surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways.

The rules include exemptions for public health and safety, such as allowing cities to power-wash sidewalks to get rid of human waste left by homeless people.

Cities and water districts also will have wide latitude to implement the fines as they wish starting in early August.