BAKERSFIELD, CA - Thanks to California's drought, water wasters will soon face drastic penalties. State regulators voted Tuesday to fine wasters up to $500 come August 1st, if they are caught wasting.
Local water agencies are calling the move unprecedented. No one has a plan on how to enforce it or who will be doing it. But, they do know they have just over two weeks to figure it out.
An around-the-clock leak, watering the sidewalk or hard surfaces, no nozzle on the hose when you wash the car, or using a fountain that doesn't recycle water, could get water users fined up to $500. They are among the penalties state regulators approved to force conservation during the drought.
"I think the regulations are needed and I hope reasonable. I just am not sure how they will be able to enforce them," said Terry Meyer who supports the regulations.
And as of now, Art Chianello, Bakersfield's Water Resource Manager, also is unsure of enforcement.
"Quite honestly, it's difficult to enforce that kind of thing. I think it would be someone like the police department would have to catch someone in the act in order for them to write a ticket," said Chianello.
The Bakersfield Police Department says they haven't been contacted yet to enforce regulations. Neither has Code Enforcement. And, the Public Utilities Commission would have to authorize local water agencies the power to penalize.
And what about warnings? Tim Ruiz, General Manager for the East Niles District says, "That is a good question. Again, this is unprecedented so probably a couple times. You know third time is the charm so to speak. So maybe that's when some fines come out."
And, Ruiz says the first fine likely won't be $500, rather build to that amount with repeat offenders.
So, will the city be fined if it's caught wasting water?
"I don't know," said Chianello.
And, what about the fines collected?
"Where's the money going to go, I don't know," said Chianello.
And, Chianello isn't sure if spray parks will be allowed past August 1st. If they are not, it would be a hardship for Amber Young and her family who relies on them.
"It would be a huge problem for us. We wouldn't know what to do during the summer. We can't afford to run our A/C because the electricity is so high too," said Young.
The local water districts say they are working to answer all of the questions and are hoping to get some direction from the state to meet the August 1st deadline.