The City of Calera has followed through on its notice of up to a $500 fine for residents who violate the city&8217;s watering restrictions.

Calera police chief Tommy Palmer confirmed Friday that the city has issued five citations since the water restrictions went into effect on July 6.

Palmer noted, however, that the number of violations remain low despite the continuing drought conditions.

&8220;Overall, the number of violations we are finding are minimal,&8221; he said. &8220; For the most part, people are conforming to the restrictions.&8221;

The city has banned all outside water usage on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. In addition, residents are only allowed to water outside during certain hours on other days. Houses with even number addresses can water on Mondays and Thursdays from 6 to 8 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. House with odd number addresses are allowed to water during the same hours on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Calera city, public works, fire and police employees in Calera have all been asked to report anyone violating the restrictions.

The city has handed out five fines so far. Four citations were given to a developer working for Adams homes in the Old Ivy Subdivision and one citation was given to a woman living on 126 Rossburg Drive.

&8220;Everybody works so hard to keep their lawns and gardens looking nice,&8221; Palmer said. &8220;But for the most part they have been respectful of what we&8217;ve asked.&8221;

The current restrictions are only phase one of a three-phase plan approved by the Calera City Council.

The next two phases, which would be implemented if the current drought were to continue, call for as little as a more limited time period for watering to as much as a complete ban on outside watering