Ballot measure seeks to fine water wasters

A new ballot initiative, entitled “The California Water Conservation, Flood Control and Stormwater Management Act of 2016” was submitted to the Attorney General’s office for consideration during the 2016 election.

The California State Association of Counties, the Association of California Water Agencies and the League of California Cities came together in a coalition for the proposed initiative.

The primary focus of the ballot imitative would be an extension of water shaming. Should the initiative pass in November, water agencies would have the ability to charge customers for excessive use of water. As it currently stands, Proposition 218 prohibits government agencies from charging customers more as a means of promoting conservation.

In addition to a “drought surcharge,” water agencies would have the ability to implement tiered water rates again, something that had been deemed unconstitutional because of Proposition 218.