SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – It's no secret that California is in a drought emergency.
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In the Bay Area, some counties like the Santa Clara Valley Water District are trying to get people to get on board with reducing water use.
In Santa Clara, customers haven't been listening, and now, water officials are considering bring enforcement to the table.
Since last June, residents in Santa Clara have been asked to refrain from using water on lawn upkeep except on two days during the week, but many residents have continued on unabated.
"We've called for our goal of 15% compared to 2019," said Chief Operating Officer of Water Utility Enterprise for Valley Water, Aaron Baker. "Unfortunately we basically have only been 3% cumulative, so we still have a ways to go."
According to Baker, unless there are cutbacks from residents and businesses in the county, there might not be enough water to make it through the upcoming summer.
"This is the first time Valley Water is actually enforcing restrictions and this is needed because of the unprecedented times we're in," he said. "We're not making enough progress on water savings."
While the entire state is suffering from the drought, Santa Clara is worse off than others, as the county's reservoir has been drained for earthquake repairs.
"We're going to our board on May 24th, to look at going with an ordinance for enforcement on water use waste," said Baker.
Enforcement will likely be made in the form of fines, on a sliding scale, up to $500 for water misuse.
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