Overwatering May Get $4 Million Fine

Metropolitan Water District, the regional water supplier, will tally up the California city of Thousand Oaks' water use to see if consumption was 15 percent less than the year before. If not, a $4-million fine will be imposed on the city's water company. That fine will be passed on to customers and will increase water bills by about 33 percent.

Residents have been required to follow the city water ordinance that limits how often they can water their lawns, how quickly water leaks must be repaired and what kind of nozzle must be used to wash a car at home. Washing hard or paved surfaces isn't allowed.

More drought-resistant native plants have been used. Restaurant waiters stopped automatically bringing water to customers. Hotels began giving guests the option of declining fresh linens. The city created a hotline for residents to report others who use water excessively. Neighbors could report neighbors who disobeyed the new laws.

Soon residents will learn if all the conservation measures have paid off. They'll also be expected to keep up the good work because enforcement of water conservation will continue. Under the water conservation ordinance approved by the City Council last year, homeowners are allowed to water three times per week, but not between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., and no excessive runoff is permitted.