New press release from the Vallecitos Water District regarding Water Waste Patrols.
Faced with mounting statewide water conservation mandates, the Vallecitos Water District will be stepping up public education and enforcement of their
drought ordinance by implementing water waste patrols.
Patrols will begin on Monday, May 11, 2015, throughout Vallecitos’ service area. District employees will be on duty in the pre-dawn hours as well as during the day. Staff will be in marked Vallecitos Water District vehicles and will carry District identification. Staff will be on the lookout for drought ordinance violations such as: overspray and runoff into gutters, watering between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., watering during and 48 hours after a rain event, and hosing down hard surfaces like driveways. The District has already been responding to water waste reports from residents provided by phone, email and via the District’s website.
The District’s General Manager Dennis O. Lamb says, “The goal of these patrols is not to penalize customers, but to remind them about watering restrictions and the importance of saving water. We want to help our customers do the right thing and will provide resources and tools that can assist them.”
First time violators will receive a warning and will be prescribed corrective measures. The District will work with these customers to educate them about the drought and the associated water use restrictions. Continued violations may result in fines. Drought patrols will help the District achieve water conservation targets. The State of California requires water suppliers to report on water use, reduction amounts and enforcement measures. The District is required to achieve a 24% reduction in use starting June 1, 2015
Hopefully this will wake people up. Everyday I see someone violating the restrictions. Even though it rained last night, I can guarantee that I will see at least 2 sprinklers running on my little street. Next you’ll need a drone to see the backyard violations : ) Please do not tell me to report my neighbors.