Californians Face Big Restrictions On Watering
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – It's the last weekend of winter, but the start of even tougher talk on water statewide.
Marco Orlando has a perfect "Martha Stewart" garden.
"I love my flowers," Orlando said.
But the city recently cited him for watering it too much.
"I had water running out," Orlando said.
Water officials reprogrammed his meter and told him to cut down to two watering days a week.
The fine if he doesn't comply in the future: $500.
"Well, don't you think everybody should pitch in?" Orlando said.
The State Water Resources Control Board is voting this week on a two-day watering weeks for everyone living in California.
"It sounds necessary. I mean, we haven't gotten any rain," resident Joe Fischer said.
Fischer felt it coming.
"I decided to take all the lawn out and to just go with plants," Fischer said.
He now has drought resistant plants that only need water a few minutes once a week surrounded by cedar bark.
His rain gage explains the big picture.
"It could be the new reality if we don't get some rain or snow," Fischer said.
State water officials say outdoor watering accounts for seventy percent of water consumption in the state.
However, the concern for others is wasted water. A lot of people report it using the neighborhood safety app VizSafe.
But the state plans on starting a toll free tip line to report wasters – who seem to be eluding fines, for now.
"I think all of us have to do our part," Orlando said.