SAN CLEMENTE : Water District Failed Cutback, Faces Fine
Falling short of a mandated 20% cutback in water use in April, officials of the Tri-Cities Water District said Thursday that it is facing a $30,000 fine, which would be passed on to consumers.
The district, whose main customer is San Clemente, cut water use in April by 12% from last year but still fell short of the 20% cutback imposed by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
“This gives me cause for concern because we’re going into the warmer months,” said Ray Woodside, general manager of the water district. “We had hoped to at least meet the (20%) goal last month.”
The district has been fined for excessive water use in two of the past three months. In February, water customers used 2.4% more than levels mandated by MWD, and the district was fined about $40,000. Heavy rainfall helped the district meet its March goal.
As in February, Woodside said, the latest surcharge will be passed along to Tri-Cities customers.
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