Soquel water district approves rules prohibiting wasting water
By Kimberly White -- Santa Cruz Sentinel
Posted: 12/07/2010 09:34:41 PM PST
Updated: 12/07/2010 09:35:04 PM PST
SOQUEL - In an effort to protect its water supply and strengthen enforcement, the Board of Directors for the Soquel Creek Water District Tuesday approved rules regulating the use of potable water.
Starting today, customers can only wash paved surfaces for safety or sanitary purposes - or only when a broom or other device can't accomplish the task - and will only be allowed to wash buildings, vehicles and boats using either a pressure washer or hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle.
The use of overhead spray irrigation is prohibited, with some exceptions, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., and customers can no longer water grass, trees and crops while it's raining.
District staff will issue a first-time violator a written warning stating the time, place and a description of the violation. Staff must wait at least 24 hours before issuing a second notice, and if the problem still isn't corrected, violators face everything from disconnected service to $600 fines to 30 days in jail.
The ordinance replaces a water-waste resolution adopted by the Board in May 2006. Shelley Flock, the district's staff analyst, said the only way the district could penalize offenders under that resolution was to cut off their water service. But the new ordinance allows staff to impose the new fines and - in the worse case scenario - jail time.
Capitola resident Patrick O'Nion expressed concern during the public-comment period about what he viewed as overly punitive
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