Fred Warchol: Going to jail for overwatering your lawn? Get serious
The Central Valley is finally experiencing better rainfall, this year.
However, we are still in a drought condition and must continue conservation efforts. If you live in Atwater, be extra cautious when watering your lawn. Do not allow water to run off onto the street, or you might get slapped with an unbelievably harsh penalty.
An Atwater city ordinance provides an eventual one year in jail for anyone who allows water to run off their property onto the street. The city’s administration presented the city council an ordinance that reaffirms that penalty that could ultimately put a homeowner in jail.
May pro tem Larry Bergman was outraged and called the ordinance asinine. He told of a call he received from an elderly lady, who took her medication, fell asleep while leaving her sprinklers running. She awoke terrified that she would be visited by the police.
Councilman Brian Raymond stated this ordinance could potentially turn some water users into criminals. I hope sanity prevails in Atwater before we become a laughing stock.
Fred Warchol, Atwater
This story was originally published April 1, 2016 at 3:32 PM with the headline "Fred Warchol: Going to jail for overwatering your lawn? Get serious."