Santa Monica City Council To Consider Mandatory Water Restrictions

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — Mandatory water restrictions could be on tap for residents in Santa Monica.

KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports the City Council is set to consider a plan to create a water conservation unit that would enforce a 20 percent cut in residential and commercial water usage.

In August, the city declared a Stage 2 water supply shortage, which initiated mandatory water conservation requirements for all water customers in Santa Monica to reduce usage by 20 percent.

In addition to the creation of the new six-person enforcement unit, the proposal would also establish customer water allowance levels at 80 percent of their 2013 water usage, as well as implement drought surcharges for customers that exceed their bi-monthly water use allowance.

While water conservation restrictions have been in place in Santa Monica since 1992 - with fines starting at $250 - emergency regulation adopted by California officials in July established fines for infractions starting at $500, according to the city's website.

Residents have mixed feelings about the mandate and the fines.

"It's horrible to pay more for something, but there's a specific situation that we're living in," said one man.

"Voluntary is always the best, I think, but I've passed some properties where they're watering full force," another resident said. "We have a problem here."

The City Council is expected to enact the mandate in January, with surcharges expected to begin in March 2015.