City's water restrictions begin today

Water-use restrictions associated with warming weather begin today in Carson City.

The controls are enforced through Sept. 30 and include specific days for outdoor watering based on street addresses. No watering is allowed at all on Mondays or from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. other days.

The city's 16,000 customers received notice of watering restrictions in their May bills.

Watering may be done at odd-numbered addresses Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; sites with even-numbered addresses are allowed Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

"Current demand is rising fast as the weather warms up," said Ken Arnold, the city's public works operations manager.

While this has been a dry weather year, the water department expects it will be able to satisfy needs this summer if the city keeps close watch on the water delivery system, he said.

Daily demand has already reached 21 million gallons a day, and will soon top out at 27 million gallons. Customers use only 6 million to 7 million gallons of water on winter days, Arnold said.

Carson's water-use restrictions started in 1982.

The city has changed its approach to water-code enforcement during the past couple of years. A patrol unit operates with seasonal employees during the restriction period and its members travel around town to see whether the rules are being followed.

People who water during the wrong days and times, or use it carelessly, are warned at least twice before being fined. The water-code enforcers leave warning tags and, whenever possible, explain to people why what they are doing is a problem for the community.

Last year, consumers were issued 142 warnings for watering during the wrong hours and 90 for doing it on the wrong days. Another 225 warnings were given out for wasting water.

Only four citations were issued, however, Arnold said. After repeatedly breaking the rules, a registered letter is sent to violators informing them of the city's action. Then the fine is added to the water bill, he added.

The second of two 14 percent water-rate increases this year begins in July.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

For your information

Call Carson City Public Works at 887-2116 or visit www.carson-city.nv.us