City Enacting Odd/Even Watering Restrictions
With 72 percent of Minnesota currently experiencing severe drought and 18 percent experiencing extreme drought, the state has entered the drought warning phase. With the drought warning phase issued and requirements of water suppliers from the Department of Natural Resources to conserve and reduce water usage, the City is requesting that residents move to an odd/even watering schedule.
Although the City water treatment plant has adequate capacity, recent drought conditions have led to higher-than-average water usage. Water usage in the winter months is around 200,000 gallons per day (GPD). With the recent severe drought, the City has seen fluctuations from nearly 50-150% of additional usage above normal winter usage, or on average 300,000-450,000 GPD with usage reaching over 500,000 gallons on the days of highest usage. Enacting odd/even water restrictions helps to reduce water usage and prevent overwatering which leads to higher consumption.
What are odd/even watering restrictions?
-If a property address is an even number, irrigation can take place on even-numbered days.
-If a property address is an odd number, irrigation can take place on odd-numbered days.
-No irrigation can take place between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any day.
-House numbers ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 are considered even and house numbers ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 are considered odd.
-For example, the property address 151 Oak Street has an address that ends in an odd number. That address can irrigate on August 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.
Why does it matter?
-Protects and ensures an adequate water supply for those that use City water
-Conserves water resources
-Prevents wasteful and harmful effects of irrigation during the midday hours
-Established lawns only need 1-1.5” of water per week. Lawn turf should be watered 1-2 times per week as needed.
What uses are exempt?
The following uses are exempt from the seasonal restrictions on water use in this section:
1. Vehicle washing and the watering of trees, shrubs and flowers only if conducted by a person holding a squeeze-activated type nozzle equipped with an automatic shutoff.
2. Watering of new landscaping, sod or seed within 30 days of installation, except between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily.
3. Watering from a source other than the City's water supply. Under this exemption the City may inspect the property watered and the source of water used to ensure compliance. If the property utilizes water from a lake, the property must abide with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) permitting process, if required.
4. Watering by employees and agents of the City in such instances where lawn, turf or grass used for playfields or other plantings and areas owned or operated by the City require more frequent watering to prevent damage thereto.
5. Reasonable and intermittent use of an outdoor watering system exclusively for residential recreational uses.
If you have any further questions, please contact Public Works Superintendent Tim Amundsen at (952) 653-3676 or by email: tamundsen@excelsiormn.org
The City appreciates your cooperation in helping to conserve and reduce water usage.