Lodi Taking Friendly Approach To Water Conservation Warnings, For Now
LODI (CBS13) — Lodi is under a water emergency as residents have been told to cut back after another dry winter.
Public works says a leak at your home isn't just wasteful, it also has a negative impact on local bodies of water such as Lodi Lake. It's giving homeowners plenty of opportunities to fix the issues before getting fined.
No one in Lodi should be watering a lawn on Monday, but public works inspector Tanya Hasford not only found running sprinklers, but a leak at one home.
While the water restrictions have been in effect for a few years, homeowners only received a warning on Monday.
"This does happen a lot—broken sprinklers—and people aren't aware of it," she said.
In a few days, the public works computer monitoring system will tell her how much water was lost down the drain on Monday.
"It's going to be a big number. I can see that," she said.
But education, not citation, is the goal of the city's water conservation program.
"There is a connection between water quality in the lake and their overwatering," said compliance engineer Kat Garcia. "So this was a little white board we created and on the back there are easy tips to reduce water."
After two warnings, public works will add a $35 fine to your monthly bill, and it will keep going up until the leak or unscheduled watering stops.
Public works says it hopes the friendly approach has neighbors and businesses voluntarily conserving. The alternative is a Phase 3 emergency, which imposes strict water use schedules.
Residents and property owners can only water three days a week.
