California Governor Proposes Fines Up to $10,000 for Water Wasters

Californians who waste water could face fines of up to $10,000 under a new proposal from Governor Jerry Brown as the state works to combat a four-year drought.

The regulation would rely on local authorities to collect the penalties, which would be a dramatic increase from the $500 per day that water-wasting can currently incur. The move is Brown’s latest response to a drought that has left California in a state of emergency.

“These measures will strengthen the ability of local officials to build new water projects and ensure that water is not wasted,” he said in a statement. “As this drought stretches on, we’ll continue to do whatever is necessary to help communities save more water.”

On Tuesday, Brown said he would ask state agencies to cut back on bureaucratic red tape slowing projects aimed at increasing the state’s water supply.