With the city of Santa Cruz preparing to tap into its Loch Lomond reservoir because of a severe water shortage, the “water police” have begun to crack down on people using too much water and violating local restrictions.
Kyle Peterson, one of two people responsible for monitoring commercial and residential water usage, says that many people are not aware of the restrictions or that they are in violation of them. His first priority is to educate the public and help them track problems with their irrigation systems.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. After sending 1,400 letters to homes and businesses that were wasting water, all but 17 restricted their use. These include people who water daily or whose sprinklers are out of adjustment, described by water department manager Bill Kocher as “total non-compliance” with the restrictions.
City irrigation restrictions state that commercial properties, industry, and other public water consumers may water their lawns and gardens before 10am and after 5pm on Mondays and Fridays, odd numbered residences may water on Saturdays and Tuesdays, and even numbered residences can water on Sundays and Wednesdays. No one should be watering their properties between 10am and 5pm or on Thursdays. Read more at KSBW.
