Damned if you do.... Ca. Couple Tries To Conserve Water, Ends Up Facing $500 Fine For Brown Lawn

[doxydad]

As California’s severe drought deepens and officials look to reduce water consumption in every possible way, the state appears to be sending mixed signals as to which water-related activity is the most egregious.

The entirety of California is currently experiencing drought conditions and more than 80 percent of the state is classified as an extreme drought. Laura Whitney and her husband, Michael Korte, have been trying to conserve water in their Glendale, California home by cutting back on lawn watering, taking shorter showers, and doing larger loads of laundry. Now, they are facing a fine of up to $500 for not keeping their lawn green.

Survey results from the State Water Resources Control Board found that instead of achieving the 20 percent water reduction sought by Gov. Jerry Brown, water use actually jumped one percent this May, compared to the same period in previous years. As a result, the board voted unanimously this week to impose the first mandatory water restrictions on California residents. The regulations seek to curb water use among urban residents by banning wasteful outdoor watering, such as over-watering lawns, hosing down sidewalks or driveways, and washing cars without a shut-off nozzle on the hose. Violators could face a fine of up to $500.

“Our goal here is to light a fire under those who aren’t yet taking the drought seriously,” water board Chairwoman Felicia Marcus told the Associated Press after the vote.

On the same day the state approved the mandatory water restrictions, Whitney and Korte received a letter from the city threatening a fine for not sufficiently watering their brown lawn.

“Despite the water conservation efforts, we wish to remind you that limited watering is still required to keep landscaping looking healthy and green,” the letter reads. The couple were given 60 days to restore the lawn or be slapped with a fine ranging from $100 to $500, Reuters reported.

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/07/20/3462064/california-drought-fine-brown-lawn/

[RKP5637]

1. So stupid in so many ways! Also, IMO, landscaping should be suitable for the environment. Far too

many have landscaping that is not suited to an environment, hence, using many chemicals and much water. Many weeds, for one example, thrive well and actually some look quite nice, but many are bred to see them as ugly and to be eradicated. ... not directing this to this particular couple, but the population in general.

What I see here in our area, for example, are chemical trucks always spraying lawns with this or that, and lots of water trying to make the grass grow. Some areas, vacant lots for example, with the natural ground cover actually look quite nice. And others have filled their yards with rocks which to me looks so ugly and hot.

[NV Whino]

2. I recommend green spray paint.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

3. I hate and detest green lawns

I live in desert-like southern California, not on the Emerald Isle. Green lawns are a strange American quirk. I've lived in Europe where people erect walls around their houses and no one can see what you are doing and whether you have pebbles and fountains in front of your house or trees. I hate the wide-open style of the American house where the neighbors can see everything you do and where everyone must conform to this lawn obsession.

[MohRokTah]

4. I don't live in a drought area, but my landscaping is being switched over to native plants.

I have been slowly pulling out the lawn and replacing it with native plantings. Saves water, better for the environment, easier to take care of.