Central Coast takes on new state water restrictions
The new state-mandated water conservation rules went into effect Monday, June 1. California leaders want water use to be cut across the state by 25 percent. But some cities have tougher restrictions than others.
The state now allows local water agencies to fine property owners up to $500 a day if they violate conservation rules. That means water districts across the Central Coast are now being held accountable.
On Monday, NewsChannel 5 found out how two districts are starting with educating consumers to cut back on waste.
“The challenge is we don’t know what the future is going to bring, so we have to protect our supply and if we have another dry year next year, you know hopefully well have enough in the reservoir,” Eileen Cross, with the Santa Cruz Water Department said.
Residents in Santa Cruz are under stage three mandatory water rationing and Watsonville just passed stage two restrictions last week. Both cities said residents are doing a good job of conserving. But that doesn’t change the fact the state is asking them to cut back even more.
“It is educational enforcement to begin with and as soon as there is non-compliance then we move toward the fee schedule,” Michelle Templeton with the Watsonville Water Department said.
Watsonville said it will send out landscaping experts who can provide advice on how to cut back utilizing more drought friendly options. For those who fail to comply in Watsonville, residents and businesses can face up to $500 in fines.
Santa Cruz is giving resident a chance to get rid of penalties through a program called “Water School.” The program started last year.
“The first two months that we had water rationing we had about seven percent of our customers who had penalties applied to their bill. By the end of the summer, it was down to about 2 1/2 percent,” Cross said.
Santa Cruz said last year, about 700 people signed up for water school, avoiding about half a million in fees. “Water School” is set to begin this year at the end of June.
