Water wasters fined $61,000

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

The State Water Resources Control Board said water use was reduced by 26 percent during September, meeting the state's goal of 25 percent. In the Bay Area, users reduced water use by 25.1 percent.

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The water board is allowed to fine agencies $500 a day for noncompliance. The fines announced today are for penalties accumulated since June. The water board says additional California water agencies may be fined in the coming weeks.

"We’re in the position of having to prepare for drought and flooding at the same time, but that’s what we’re faced with,” said Felicia Marcus, Chair of the State Water Resources Control Board.

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