OKC Ends Mandatory Odd/Even Watering Program

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City has ended its mandatory odd/even water restriction program.

The city started the program less than a week ago because of drought conditions and 13-straight days of 100-degree temperatures. But in recent days, conditions have changed.

"A few days of restricted outdoor watering and an a few inches of rainfall have allowed us to restock the water storage tanks and reduce low pressure incidents," Utilities Director Marsha Slaughter said.

The Overholser water treatment plant also returned to service Thursday, which factored into the city's decision to rescind the odd/even watering program. The plant has been down for facility repairs but now is adding 15 to 20 million gallons of water a day to the distribution system. Slaughter says this will help ease some low water pressure incidents.

Slaughter says there's still a chance mandatory watering restrictions could return sometime later in the summer, so homeowners and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily water yards every other day when possible, and to use water wisely.