DROUGHT continues $$$$$

Pleasanton’s new rules, however, keep rates the same, but add penalties if 25% reductions aren’t made based on comparisons with consumption in the same water billing period in 2013.

These can be steep. Customers who fail to meet the 25% mandatory cutback will be charged an additional $4 per unit of water used above that amount and fined $50. For a second offense, the extra unit charge goes to $8 with a $100 penalty; a third time will cost $12 a unit and a $250 penalty; a fourth violation will raise the unit cost to $12 with a $500 penalty.