Residents in Northern California’s Bay Area Sue over Drought Rules

A group of multimillionaire residents of the San Francisco Bay Area have filed a lawsuit against their town claiming drought rules and penalties intended to keep people from over-watering their lawns are illegal.

The East Bay Times reported that nine residents of the small town of Hillsborough are challenging the town’s tiered water rates and $30 penalty for each unit of water used over the allotted amount.

The residents argue that water officials have violated a state law that makes it illegal for government to charge more for a service than it costs to provide.

Hillsborough attorney Kelly Salt says the water rates comply with state law despite encouraging people to conserve water.