Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

 

California water regulators have adopted sweeping, unprecedented restrictions on how people and businesses can use water amid the state's ongoing drought.

The State Water Resources Control Board approved rules Tuesday forcing cities to limit watering on public property and encouraging homeowners to let their lawns die.

The mandatory water savings targets affect hundreds of local water agencies and cities, although it's unclear what punishment those who don't save enough will face.

Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed fines of up to $10,000 for the worst offenders, but the plan requires legislative approval.

Figures released Tuesday show water use statewide fell less than 4 per cent in March compared with the same month in 2013, far short of the governor's desired savings of 25 per cent statewide.