Possible major fines for water wasters

California officials are considering playing hardball with residential customers who are wasting water.

Next week, the state Water Resources Control Board will consider temporary water conservation rules that would include fines of up to $500 a day for serious violators, according to multiple reports.

Possible violations include:

*Using water to wash down a hard surface, like a sidewalk or patio;
*Allowing excessive water run-off;
*Washing your car with a hose if the hose doesn’t include a shut-off valve;
*Using potable water in a fountain without recirculation

If approved, the regulations would be the first time the state has implemented fines on outdoor residential water use. They would take affect Aug. 1.

Mandatory and voluntary cuts in water use at the local level resulted in a five percent reduction statewide through May, well below the 20 percent cut the Brown Administration sought.

More severe measures are possible if those regulations aren’t successful, according to the reports.