All Wet

Quan and Angelina Ha wanted to be better citizens, and not use so much water in arid southern California. The couple used 299,221 gallons of water in 2007, and figured their landscaping was using most of it. Paying for the water was bad enough, but municipalities were starting to fine people for using too much water during droughts. "We've got a newborn, so we want to start worrying about her future," Quan said, so the couple tore out their lawn and other thirsty plants, replacing it all with bark chips and drought-tolerant plants. In 2009 their water use was down to 58,348 gallons -- more than an 80 percent reduction. No good, the City of Orange said: city law requires that 40 percent of a yard must be landscaped "predominantly with live plants," and officials aren't impressed by the Has' conservation efforts. The city has sued the couple, and filed misdemeanor criminal charges against them. "Compliance, that's all we've ever wanted," said Senior Assistant City Attorney Wayne Winthers.

Thankyou Kim for this article