Just in time for the heavy spring water use, a new city ordinance is now in effect in Prescott, Ariz., that will change the way residents and businesses irrigate their landscaping.
A new water-conservation ordinance became effective May 12, which permits spray and sprinkler irrigation from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
The ordinance applies to any home, business or public entity that uses an airborne type of irrigation. It does not apply to drip irrigation systems.
Prescott Utilities Manager Carol Johnson noted that the rules come at an opportune time for the city's water system.
"It's very timely," Johnson said, because city water use topped 10 million gallons this week for the first time this year.
City records show that by mid-week, daily water use had risen to 10.47 million gallons a significant increase from just the day before, when the total stood at 8.9 million gallons. The city's maximum production capacity is 12.9 million gallons per day.
The dramatic increase in water use is nothing new in Prescott. As temperatures rise, daily water use spikes every spring, after hovering at 7 million gallons or less throughout the winter.
City officials maintain that night-time irrigation is more efficient than daytime watering, because it limits evaporation from heat and wind.
When the city imposed similar restrictions on a temporary basis this past summer, Johnson said it got dramatic results. "When we made (the night-time irrigation) mandatory last year, water use went down by 3 to 4 million gallons a day," she said.
The restrictions will be in effect through Nov. 1. The ordinance allows exceptions for a number of reasons, including:
• Low-volume drip irrigation watering.
• Sustaining commercial plant stock, which the owners are maintaining for sale.
• Newly installed landscapes for a period of 90 days from the time of installation.
• Supervised preparation, operation, maintenance, establishment, repair or renovation of athletic fields of public parks or educational venues or other places used for public festivals and events.
One of the concerns that came up during the City Council's discussion of the ordinance involved how the city would enforce the restrictions.
Johnson said city sewer and water employees would be watching for violations and would be carrying informational fliers to inform people of the new rules. The city's code enforcement department also will deal with complaints from the public.
"In the beginning, it will be more educational," Johnson said of the enforcement, although repeat offenders could face a $50-per-day fine.