Angelenos don’t have much to fear from a state agency considering big fines for people who waste water.
The State Water Resources Board will consider next week a plan that would fine residents up to $500 for wasting water during California’s drought conditions.
The proposed mandatory restrictions would limit outdoor watering to two days a week and prohibit people from washing down driveways and washing cars without a shutoff nozzle on the hose.
Los Angeles has had mandatory outdoor water use restrictions since 2009, limiting sprinkler use to three days a week, before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m., according to Penny Falcon of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
The LADWP supports the proposed regulations, Falcon said.
“We feel like our ordinance complies and goes beyond what the state is mandating.” she said.
She said the LADWP is in the midst of a water conservation education campaign to remind people to conserve.
“Once we generally remind them, they understand the need to do it and we don’t really have to fine them, but if we continue to have people that waste the water and violate the ordinance then we will do our monetary fines,” Falcon said.
Gov. Brown asked for a voluntary 20 percent reduction in water use earlier this year.
