DWA now issues fines for those failing to reduce water use
The Desert Water Agency announced Wednesday that the agency’s Board of Directors adopted Ordinance 63 and approved the budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year.
According to district officials, Ordinance 63 will streamline the agency’s water conservation efforts and allow DWA to enforce the mandatory water use restrictions in place, helping the agency achieve the conservation requirements outlined by Governor Brown and the State Water Resources Control Board.
“The new ordinance restructures our water use restrictions in a more logical way and gives us the ability to enforce the rules,” said Dave Luker, general manager of the Desert Water Agency. “By giving our agency the ability to enforce mandatory restrictions, Ordinance 63 will support our commitment to helping our community conserve.”
According to the DWA’s release, Wednesday’s action moved DWA into Stage 4 of Ordinance 63, which made one significant change to the restrictions: recirculating fountains are allowed again.
Additionally, Ordinance 63 allows DWA to issue violations for those who fail to implement the water use prohibitions and restrictions:
First Violation: Agency staff shall issue a written notice instructing the water user to correct the violation within three days. If not corrected, customers will be fined $50 (single family residence) and $100 (multi-family residential, commercial, or institutional establishment).
Second Violation: For a second violation within any 12-month period, customers will be fined $100 (single family residence) and $200 (multi-family residential, commercial, or institutional establishment).
Third Violation: For a third violation within any 12-month period, customers will be fined $250 (single family residence) and $500 (multi-family residential, commercial, or institutional establishment).
DWA officials said the agency’s budget will allocate $250,000 to continue DWA’s successful turf buy back program this year. DWA also received a grant from the state for additional funding to augment the $250,000 investment.
In total, the agency anticipates having approximately $700,000 available to fund turf removal rebates this year.
DWA isn’t accepting turf buy back applications at this time because the program is being reviewed to make changes. As soon as the review process is complete, officials will provide updated information on how you can apply.
News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will share the new application process as soon as it’s complete.
