SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California water regulators have adopted sweeping, unprecedented restrictions on how people and businesses can use water amid the state’s ongoing drought.
The State Water Resources Control Board approved rules Tuesday forcing cities to limit watering on public property and encouraging homeowners to let their lawns die.
The mandatory water savings targets affect hundreds of local water agencies and cities, although it’s unclear what punishment violators will face.
Some local water departments say achieving steep cuts could cause declining property values, restrictions on filling pools and washing cars and higher water bills.
Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed fines of up to $10,000 for the worst offenders, but the plan needs legislative approval.
Figures released Tuesday show water use statewide fell less than 4 percent in March compared with the same month in 2013, far short of the governor’s desired savings of 25 percent.
