Ripon Misses Water Savings Goal, But Believes Fines Aren't The Answer

By Denise Wong

RIPON (CBS13) — While many water districts and cities are boasting about exceeding mandatory water cutbacks by slashing water use nearly 50 percent, one city just can't seem to meet it.

The city of Ripon in San Joaquin County was supposed to cut its usage by 36 percent in June, but only mustered 32 percent.

The city has sent mailers to residents with watering rules, and has even hired a water coordinator to enforce the rules. But the city is still falling short of the state's goal.

I've had the water conservation guy come out here already," said resident Joaquin DeLeon.

He knows the city is serious about having its residents cut back on their water usage. He's been talked to, and so have his neighbors, and now they're doing their part.

"We're all cutting back," he said. "We all are. It's just that people love to have their grass green."

Every month, the city keeps missing its mark, though Mayor Leo Zuber says it's even had staff check for water violators who water their lawns in the middle of the night.

"We're slowly making progress," he said

The mayor says only half of Ripon's residents have water meters.

"While it's easier to monitor somebody who has a water meter, half the people it's a flat rate and we have no way of telling what they're actually using," he said.

Even if the city wanted to penalize people who used an excessive amount of water, it's hard to identify them.

The city is also trying to avoid fining water abusers, giving them several warnings if they water on the wrong days or times.

"For right now, we're just having to go with personal contact and trying to get people to live by the rules," he said.