CVWD customers react to new restrictions

While many in the valley are doing their best to conserve during our historic drought, the state said it’s not enough.

The Coachella Valley Water District is now telling customers they can’t water outside on Mondays and Thursdays.

CVWD got handed a pretty hefty fine from the state, $61,000 for not meeting the state’s mandated conservation.

While the district said they’re pleased with their customers’ efforts to conserve, unfortunately it’s not enough.

Keith Hobson has had his home in the desert for six years now.

He said he’s doing all he can to conserve but his water bill is still outrageous

“I’m very careful with the water or at least I try to be and still the water bill was high. One month it’s high and the next month it’s not so high,” Hobson said.

He’s one of the many who split their time between the desert and another home.

Since he’s returned he said figuring out the new restrictions hasn’t been easy.

“It’s very confusing and I haven’t had anybody yet explain it so an average person could understand it,” Hobson said.

The Coachella Valley Water District said they’re working to get the word out any way they can.

But said it ultimately falls to the homeowner to be informed.

Hobson’s neighbors feel the restrictions are difficult to follow.

“I’ve done everything I can possibly do. I don’t even irrigate that much,” said Kristopher Foreman who lives in Palm Desert.

Some said not watering on Monday and Thursday won’t be hard because they’ve already cut back significantly.

“I’m to the bare minimum. I think my grass is dead I’ve done everything I can,” Foreman said.

The water district is asking customers to follow their new mandates, if they don’t they can be fined up to $200.

CVWD said while crews are in the community every day it will be hard to monitor who is following the rules and who isn’t.

Hobson is worried about his bill next month, either way he said it’s going to be expensive.

“It’s expensive but it’s also expensive to go in a redo your whole lawn,” Hobson said.

The district said it won’t be fining people right away.

We’re in a grace period right now where it won’t start fining for at least a week.