Fined for showering and doing laundry on same day? State agencies say that won’t happen
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KION) Two new laws that went into effect at the start of the new year had some questioning whether they could be fined for taking a shower and doing laundry on the same day because of water restrictions, but an association representing California water agencies said that is not the case.
The clarification is in reference to Senate Bill 606 and Assembly Bill 1668. Both were signed into effect in May 2018.
According to the California Water Board, the bills "emphasize efficiency and stretching existing water supplies" in cities and on farms. They do not impose individual mandates, but will focus on urban water suppliers.
A statement from the Association of California Water Agencies said the legislation will require water agencies to calculate a water efficiency standard for their entire service area annually.
It said the standard of 55 gallons per person per day is one of several elements used to calculate the overall efficiency standard for service areas, but it is not intended to be the enforceable standard.
"There are no specific statewide laws that require individual households to meet any specific targets. The targets will be set for an entire service area and are scheduled to go into effect in 2023," it said.
Individual people will also not be responsible for State Water Resources Control Board fines. Agencies can be fined up to $10,000 per day if they do not meet the cumulative standard.
Current law requires that California reduces urban per capita water use by 20% by the end of 2020.
"Being in a place that doesn't have sustainable drinking water in countries that don't have that, I think it's important to just help do your part," said Minxy, a Salinas resident.
The average household uses about 35 gallons per person per day, according to the State Water Resources Control Board.
Read more from the California Water Board here, and read the statement from the Association of California Water Agencies here.
