351 Water-Use Notices Of Violation Handed Out In Sacramento During 48-Hour Period

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - In order to curb water use amid the statewide drought, the city of Sacramento's Utilities Department is cracking down on water-rule violators. During a period of increased enforcement, it says it handed out 350 first notices of violation. One second notice of violation was handed out as well.

In a statement Tuesday, the city says its enforcement officers handed out the notices following a spike in water usage on Thursday and Friday, which were designated by the city as no-watering days.

"We did not make this effort simply to boost our numbers of notices of violation," said Dave Brent, Director of the Department of Utilities. "We made this effort to help educate customers that because of the drought, their watering days have been reduced to two days per week and Thursdays and Fridays are no longer watering days."

The first notice of violation comes with a warning and explanation of the city's watering codes. The second notice comes with a $50 fine. The fine jumps to $200 for third-time offenders, and a fine of $1,000 is handed out for each subsequent violation

The department will continue its efforts on Thursdays and Fridays, and will target those areas with the highest number of reported violations.

"While many people have gotten the drought conservation message, it's pretty obvious there are still many customers who are not aware of the new watering limitations that have been put in place to address the drought," said Brent.

The city says properties with addresses ending in odd numbers can water on Tuesdays and Saturdays while properties with addresses ending in even numbers can water on Wednesdays and Sundays.

On scheduled watering days, watering must take place before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. No watering is allowed on Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays. Over-watering is not permitted.