“During the summer, Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) receives an average of 60 reports per month reporting water waste,” says Rhonda Diaz, water conservation program coordinator. Some water waste reports come from water conservation compliance staff and some from residents. “The incidents observed by our compliance staff, or reported by residents, are documented with photos and field reports,” Diaz adds.
Usually, within 48-hours a doorhanger violation notice is hanging on the door of the violator, and LCU sends a Certified Letter to the person responsible for paying the water bill.
“Most of the time, we get a call pretty quickly from the resident or business,” notes Diaz, “saying the problem has been fixed – and that’s great! But our big goal in these situations is being sure our customers are water-wise. We want residents to understand this is drinking-quality water that’s running down the street; and it’s their dollars that are being wasted when water is wasted.” In the winter, she adds, water overflow from sprinklers can create ice on sidewalks and streets that could be a liability issue for both residential and commercial property owners.
The doorhanger is a warning that almost always resolves a water waste situation. But the City has also adopted a penalty schedule for repeat violators who waste water on a recurring basis: a $20 fine for the first violation, goes to $30 for a second violation, and on up to $40 and $50. For excessive or repeat water violations, Codes Enforcement can also issue Municipal Court Petty Misdemeanor Fines of up to $500.00 and/or 90 days in jail. To date that action has never been taken.
“It’s the right thing to do to stop water waste,” Diaz adds. If you have questions about water wasting or any water conservation issue, please call the Water Conservation Program Coordinator at 528-3549. To report water waste, please call the Water Waste Hotline at 528-4444, or submit a water violation at Ask the City (http://www.las-cruces.org/ask-the-city), you do not have to leave your name, but your message should contain the following information:
· Date and approximate time of water waste violation,
· Street address or nearest intersection,
· What you observed,
· If you are able to submit photos, please show where the water waste is occurring, including the street name and street number. This may require a couple of photos that may be emailed to rhdiaz@las-cruces.org, and
· If you want to be notified about follow-up, you must provide your name and phone number or email address.
Content supplied by Las Cruces Utilities
You can reach Las Cruces Utilities at 528-3500 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Las Cruces Utilities provides GAS – WATER – WASTEWATER – SOLID WASTE services to approximately 100,000 Las Cruces residents and businesses.