LACEY, WA: All Lacey water customers will follow an alternate day watering schedule for their yards and outdoor landscapes beginning Friday, June 1, 2012. Alternate day watering is mandatory for all Lacey water customers during the months of June, July, August, and September. The Lacey City Council approved the watering policy in 2006, as an effort to reduce peak water demand during the summer. Lacey’s water usage has exceeded 16 million gallons per day during summer months compared with only five million gallons per day in the winter.
By adopting the new watering practice, Lacey water customers have reduced overall demand by 2 million gallons per day or more during the summer. “This policy is about the best use and management of our community’s water,” stated Peter Brooks, water resources manager.
Water customers with addresses ending in an odd number (i.e., 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) may water on Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday. Addresses ending with an even number (i.e., 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8) can water on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Friday is a non-watering day for all Lacey water customers—including Friday, June 1—to allow water reservoirs to refill for the typically high weekend use.
Scheduled watering applies to turf (grass), annual and perennial ornamental flowerbeds, vegetable gardens, and any other landscaping plant material that is regularly maintained outside a residence or commercial building. Lacey water customers failing to follow the alternate day watering schedule could ultimately have their water service discontinued. Water used for other purposes such as pools, pressure washing, outdoor potted plants, hanging baskets, and plants inside greenhouses are not currently restricted by this policy.
The water policy does allow limited exemptions. For example, newly seeded lawns and landscapes, and publicly-owned facilities with active playfields may be watered more frequently. To obtain an exemption under the alternate day watering schedule, customers must contact Lacey Water Resources.
For more information regarding the alternate day watering policy, call Lacey Water Resources at (360) 438-2687 or visit the city’s website at www.ci.lacey.wa.us/odd-even.
