Calif. Water Board Issues First Cease-and-Desist Order

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The California Water Resources Control Board has issued a cease-and-desist order to the West Side Irrigation District in Tracy.

The district had received an earlier notice, stating that it did not have the right to use water, amid major shortages caused by the drought.

Board spokesman George Kostryko tells KMJ News, “If they don’t come into compliance, or they do not request a hearing, the water board can go ahead and adopt the cease-and-desist order. If it appears that after the adoption of the order, that the district continues to take water, they may be subject to penalties of up to $10,000 a day.”

Kostryko adds that more cease-and-desist orders could be issued to other water users in the coming weeks.

West Side Irrigation District has declined to comment.