SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Dozens of residents who violated their strict rations of water in the drought-stricken California beach town of Santa Cruz are taking a seat at Water School.
Some of the residents overindulged their zucchini patch. Others didn't bother with that dripping kitchen sink. They are now hoping that by attending Water School, they will be able to get distressing penalties waived.
At a recent Water School, Nik Martinelli, a Santa Cruz water-conservation specialist, launched a lesson warning the crowd that they all went over their allotment and have been penalized.
Two hours later, everyone was ready to ace their Water School quiz, identifying the community's sparse water sources and listing ways to conserve water.
So far more than $202,000 in fines have been suspended for Water School graduates.