Santa Clarita implements lawn watering restrictions

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (KABC) -- Santa Clarita Valley has issued a new ordinance limiting when people are allowed to water their lawns. Residents are restricted to watering three days a week and are not allowed to water on Saturdays.

The new rules come in light of a statewide drought. The state tried encouraging people to conserve water by at least 20 percent during the severe drought, but that has not happened, said Mauricio Guardado, a retail manager at the Santa Clarita Water Division.

Now, the state is demanding water districts throughout California lay down the law.

"That's why we adopted our ordinance last night, which is in relation to the state's resolution that essentially says all water agencies are required to develop and implement mandatory conservation measures to curtail outdoor water use," Guardado said.

Depending on the day, addresses that end in an odd or even number may also be restricted to water, Guardado said.

While some people may worry that their now green lawns will turn a bit brown, Santa Clarita resident Damon Holguin said he is on board to do whatever it takes to save water.

"I am already on three days a week," Holguin said. "I am installing fake grass in my backyard,"

The reason the state is focusing on outdoor usage is because 60 to 70 percent of the water used is outdoors, Guardado said.

Water division employees will be out patrolling neighborhoods looking for violators, including people wasting water, hosing down patios, driveways and washing vehicles without a nozzle on the water hose.

Violators could face fines up to $500.