Norman Implements Mandatory Conservation Due To Increase In Water Usage

News9.com

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- The City of Norman is instituting "Moderate (Mandatory) Conservation" because of the significant increase in water usage due to the extended period of high temperatures with little chance of rain in the immediate future.

This represents Stage 2 in the City's adopted Water Conservation Plan.

The trigger for starting Stage 2 conservation occurs when local water demand exceeds the City's water supply capacity by greater than 3 MGD (Million Gallons per Day) for two consecutive days with no weather related relief in the immediate future and water is being purchased from Oklahoma City at emergency pricing,

The goal of ‘Moderate Mandatory Conservation' is to accomplish a significant reduction in the water demand to more closely match the supply capabilities of the City.

For Residential Customers:

• All outdoor watering or irrigation is prohibited between the hours of 9am and 6pm.

• Odd/Even water restrictions (house addresses that end with an even number water on even numbered calendar days; house addresses that end with an odd number water on odd number calendar days) for irrigation purposes are required for all customers with NO watering on Wednesday and Thursday of each week. Hand watering gardens/plants/shrubs with a hose is allowed at any time.

• Excess water run-off from any landscaped area onto streets is prohibited whether by design, maladjustment to sprinkler system, or usage during high winds.

• Washing of cars, trucks, trailers or other vehicles is prohibited unless these items are taken to a commercial carwash.

• Washing or hosing down of buildings, sidewalks, driveways, patios, porches, parking areas or any paved surface is prohibited.

For Commercial Customers:

• All residential watering and irrigation restrictions noted above apply.

• Developers and commercial enterprises must wait until the current water emergency has passed before establishing any new landscaping.

For the City of Norman:

• The City will follow the same watering conservation rules as the public.

• City splash pad operation hours will be reduced by 2 hours each day.

• Eliminate non-essential City water use (e.g. street cleaning, vehicle washing, flushing of water mains, fire hydrant testing, etc).

Additional information:

• The conservation measures apply to City of Norman water customers. Those residents with private wells are not subject to City of Norman's conservation rules.

• The Mandatory Conservation Stage will be lifted by notice from the City Manager's office. Notification will be in the newspaper and on the City web site.

• Violating or ignoring the Mandatory Conservation rules may result in enforcement action as set in the City of Norman Code of Ordinances 21-501. Violations are considered a misdemeanor and punishable with fines not less than $50 nor more than $750 per violation.

For more information about the Water Conservation, read the conservation plan in full.

07/12/2011 Related Story: Edmond Implements Odd-Even Watering Schedule.

07/11/2011 Related Story: Oklahoma City Implements Mandatory Odd/Even Watering Rotation.