[Mikeod]

When we lived in CA and had water restrictions, the water system asked for reductions in use using a percentage of prior years' usage. We had already installed low-flow toilets, shower heads, and faucets. We had reduced grass areas and put down rocks, so our water usage was already down. Anyone who was already using large amounts of water was hardly affected if they cut back by the requested percentage, while we had trouble meeting the goal since we had already cut back significantly. So I can see where the lady got fined and the others didn't. The system is set up to essentially reward those who use more than their share and punish those with foresight to conserve in advance of the problem.