California website takes anonymous water waste tips in drought

SACRAMENTO — California is launching a state website that lets residents tattle on water wasters, from neighbors with leaky sprinklers to waiters who serve water without asking.

California has multiple restrictions on water use, including banning washing cars with hoses that don't shut off and restricting lawn-watering within two days of rainfall. But enforcement varies widely across the parched state.

Residents can send details and photos of water waste at savewater.ca.gov. Complaints are then sent to local government agencies based on the address of the offense.

The site went online Thursday as the latest conservation initiative. More than 300 agencies have signed up to see the details of water waste tips. Many local agencies already had their own reporting sites.

Tipsters wary of being outed as the neighborhood snitch can remain anonymous.