Some Valley Residents Still Breaking Drought Rules, Wasting Water

The Central Valley got a good downpour, but not everyone is doing everything they can to conserve water.  In fact, some neighbors are reporting others who are wasting water and breaking rules.

During and after rainfall, water wasters are even more noticeable than usual.

David Edwards with the City of Clovis says, "It’s just to bring that new regulation to the forefront of everyone’s thinking."

The new regulation is a ban on any watering 48 hours after measurable rain. Friday, Edwards drove around the city and enforced it.

The first stop was an apartment where a backyard water faucet had a large leak.  A neighbor had called it in and after no response at the door, Edwards left a water waste violation warning.

"All we want to do is fix the problem," says Edwards.

A warning was also left at a Clovis home where Edwards found sprinklers going off while the rain was coming down. The man living at the home didn’t want to be on camera but said he simply forgot to turn his automatic sprinkler timers off.  Edwards says that seems to be typical, but he still urges people to report any illegal watering they see.

Edwards says "Call it tattle tailing, call it snitching. Call it what you will but it’s the right thing to do."

Judging by just a handful of photos posted on our Facebook page, some folks have no problem telling on – or shaming- water wasters.  Others say it’s wrong.

Clovis resident Joseph Dixon says, "I think there are easier ways to go about it than by turning in your neighbors."

On the flip side, former rules have been voided. Neighbors and Homeowners Associations are no longer allowed to harass or fine others for having brown lawns.

Tamara Glover who overseas several valley homeowner’s associations says, "I know that it makes it difficult and frustrating for people who don’t want to look at brown grass, but I think it’s an important step to do our part."