Skip to content
Help us continue providing local, fact-based journalism
that keeps you informed and connected each day.
Support essential local journalism for your community.
General | News
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • beats
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    • California Dream
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Roots
    • Eclectic
    • Videos
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight
    • California State of Mind
    • The View From Here
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • Insight Music
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • CapRadio Travels
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support / Underwriting
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Volunteering
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  • Environment
  •  

California Water Wasters Can Now Be Fined

  •  Katie Orr 
Tuesday, July 15, 2014 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
John Weiss / flickr
 

John Weiss / flickr

The State Water Resources Control Board today adopted emergency regulations that allow local water agencies to levy fines up to $500 a day for people who waste water outdoors. Board Chair Felicia Marcus says collecting money isn’t the goal. Convincing urban water users to conserve is.

“There are communities that are running out of water and are having lines from other communities sent to them.  They’re bathing out of buckets. They’re having water trucks go to them," she says. "But many parts of California don’t seem to realize how bad the drought is, in part because they are so far away from their source of water.” 

Implementation of the state's rules will generally being left to local agencies, many of which already have water shortage plans. But the regulations also left a lot of questions, some asked by Charles Gibson with the Santa Margarita Water District.

“Will this change the way we’ve always worked with our customers so effectively? And this concerns us. So we want to know, is this the policeman running out and enforcing this or is it the district primarily? And do our people have the authority to issue warnings instead of these fines right away?" he asks. "And if we don’t issue a fine right away and the board is looking over our shoulder is there a $10,000 fine a day to us because we didn’t do our job?” 

The board stressed local agencies would be able to use existing plans to meet the regulations and offered guidance to districts with no water shortage plans. The emergency regulations will go into effect on or around August 1 and will initially be in effect for 270 days.

A revised report released by the board today shows water consumption in California has actually gone up by 1 percent. Governor Jerry Brown has called for a 20 percent cut to water use. 

 

 
Drought status data is provided by Association of California Water Agencies   
  Mandatory Restrictions
  Voluntary Measures
  Agricultural Reductions
  Other actions
  Drought Emergency / Water Shortage Declared

Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about drought

  • State Of Drought

    Reservoir levels are at historic lows, municipalities are ordering mandatory conservation and farmers are bracing for water shortages. Capital Public Radio has continuous coverage on how Californians are being impacted by the drought.

    Related Stories

  • Håkan Dahlström, flickr

    Capitol Chat: Death Penalty Decision And New Water Regulations

    Friday, July 18, 2014
    CapRadio's Katie Orr talks about the latest news at the Capitol.
  • State Of Drought

    Reservoir levels are at historic lows, municipalities are ordering mandatory conservation and farmers are bracing for water shortages. CapRadio has coverage on how Californians are being impacted by the drought.

 environmentdroughtwaterlegislationdrought 2014drought 2014

Katie Orr

Former Health Care Reporter

Katie Orr reported for Capital Public Radio News through December 2015.  Read Full Bio 

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More State Government Stories

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Despite Johnson & Johnson Vaccination Halt, California Officials Expect No Significant Impact

April 13, 2021

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Newsom Recall Organizers Oppose Bill To Let Future Recall Targets Access Signature Lists

April 12, 2021

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Sacramento County Motels Sheltered Hundreds of Homeless Residents During The Pandemic. But They Could Soon Close.

April 15, 2021

Most Viewed

California Coronavirus Updates: California Expands Vaccine Eligibility, Hits Two Milestones

How To Get A Vaccine Appointment In California, And Other Things To Know About The Vaccine

California Coronavirus Updates: As Live, Indoor Performances Return, Guests May Be Required To Show Proof of Vaccination Or Negative Test

California Coronavirus Updates: All California Schools Should Be Reopen In The Fall, Gov. Newsom Says

Sacramento County Motels Sheltered Hundreds of Homeless Residents During The Pandemic. But They Could Soon Close.

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California Coronavirus Updates: California Expands Vaccine Eligibility, Hits Two Milestones

How To Get A Vaccine Appointment In California, And Other Things To Know About The Vaccine

California Coronavirus Updates: As Live, Indoor Performances Return, Guests May Be Required To Show Proof of Vaccination Or Negative Test

California Coronavirus Updates: All California Schools Should Be Reopen In The Fall, Gov. Newsom Says

Sacramento County Motels Sheltered Hundreds of Homeless Residents During The Pandemic. But They Could Soon Close.

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2021, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.