In California, drought conditions have become so severe that the state legislature has had to pass laws governing the use of water throughout the state. The new regulations apply to both private and corporate sectors of the population, but some companies (and celebrities like Tom Selleck) feel they are above the law. While fines and tickets are levied against residents who violate the regulations, Water Districts throughout the state are forced to file lawsuits against the large corporations to stop misuse of the state's water supply.
Tom Selleck's Avocado Farm
From September 2013 throughout the end of that year, claims have been made by the Calleguas Municipal Water District that a white, commercial tanker truck was hooking up to a water hydrant in Thousand Oaks, California and then returning to Tom Selleck's 60-acre avocado farm to water the fields. This occurred several times and the usage was monitored by local water authorities.
According to several reports, Selleck was sent several Cease and Desist orders which were ignored. The Water District has since filed a lawsuit against Selleck in an attempt to recover over $22,000 it claims to have spent during its investigation.
In a recent development, an official has confirmed that the Magnum P.I star was not stealing water because it was already legally purchased. Jay Spurgin, the public works director for the city of Thousand Oaks, informed the media that the water was paid for as the records indicate a construction company had a city-approved water meter on the hydrant more than 2 years ago. Since that time around 1.4 million gallons of water have been drawn from the hydrant.
This case is still in its very beginning stages and it is still unclear if Selleck or his employee bought the water from the construction company or another source. A tentative settlement between the parties was announced by the district last week and it’s scheduled to be discussed for approval by the water board this week.
Corporate Water Usage
Selleck is not the only big name celebrity or corporation to be shamed by the press for excessive water usage. Nestle has also been accused of using millions of gallons of water to support its corporate interests. From bottled water to various types of teas, Nestle uses millions of gallons of water every week to produce its products and maintain operations.
California legislators have been working to find viable ways to save the state's precious water supply while still allowing companies to operate efficiently. Companies who abuse the water regulations that are in place can face stiff fines and penalties, just like residential homeowners only at a much higher rate. Many companies pay the fines and fees simply because it is cheaper to do that than to close their doors or reduce the level of production.
Enforcing the Law
Enforcing the state's water laws is much harder to do when the target of the investigation is a multimillion dollar corporation. Residents receive a ticket from local law enforcement officers when caught using water in excessive amounts. The matter is handled much like a traffic violation with fines and fees being collected and repeat offenders being placed under arrest. In most cases, the case never reaches the point of incarceration, but fines and fees are often paid on a regular basis.
Large corporations and big businesses, however, must be handled differently. Cease and Desist orders are sent to corporations who are known to be using large amounts of water. If they stop abusing the water usage laws, the matter is dropped and the situation closed. If they continue to use water at excessive rates, Water Districts and the state itself can eventually file a lawsuit to prevent the misuse of the state's water supply. The end result could be the payment of large fines and penalties, along with other restrictions required by the state. The company must comply if they want to remain in business.
Water usage laws are in place for the benefit of everyone from residential consumers to corporations. Enforcing the law in both sectors is vital if everyone is expected to comply with the state's restrictions during difficult times. Drought conditions fluctuate with the weather, but the laws must remain steadfast and enforced so that everyone has access to the water resources they need for good health. Misuse by anyone, residential or corporate, will have a direct impact on the quality of life of all involved.
