Here in the Valley of the Sun, water has always been a scarce commodity, and cities and municipalities have made stretching water supplies into an art form. There are parts of the rest of the country, though, that are dealing with water shortages, and not having nearly the success.
The worst drought in decades has brought out the "water cops" in some communities around the USA to enforce mandatory water restrictions.
In Denver, people call them the "Sod Squad." In Greensboro, N.C., repeat violators can be fined as much as $1,000.
It's a way many cities and counties are trying to conserve water. Officials drive around looking for signs of lawn watering on wrong days of the week. And neighbors are turning in neighbors for violations.
As cities find they can no longer rely on voluntary efforts to cut back on water usage, many are imposing mandatory restrictions on watering lawns and washing cars.
And they are enforcing these rules with police and water department officials, who in some places have the authority to issue fines, shut off people's water and even issue a citation that can lead to 20 days in jail.
"Ninety% of the people are wonderful," says Jim Hoaglin, 57, one of five water cops in Aurora, Colo. But some just refuse to comply. Hoaglin occasionally spots someone who trips over the hose while running to turn off the water before he can arrive.
Amazing the lengths some people will go to for a green lawn, isn't it??
