SAN CLEMENTE : City Approves Fines for Wasting Water
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The City Council has approved the imposition of fines ranging from $25 to $100 for violations of the city’s newly toughened water-conservation ordinance, its strictest ever.
The fines may be levied for taking water from a fire hydrant, wasting water, tampering with water lines, turning on water that has been turned off by officials, unauthorized use of a water line and obstructing a fire hydrant.
Violations in broad categories such as wasting water may be cited at the discretion of city water officials, according to Greg Morehead, utilities manager.
“Someone who turns on the hose and lets it run for no purpose, such as letting water run into the street, could be considered to be wasting water,” Morehead said.
The council last month approved a requirement that residents cut water usage by 30%. In addition it established a system of penalties for exceeding allotted limits, ranging from 50% to 150% of the normal billing rate.
The fines, established last week by a unanimous council vote, allow the city to impose additional penalties on water wasters.
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