Submitted by City of Lacey
Lacey water customers will follow an alternate day watering schedule for their yards and outdoor landscapes beginning Saturday, June 1, 2013. 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.
“Lacey water customers have been very receptive of this schedule,” stated Lacey Water Resource Manager Peter Brooks. “Overall demand has been reduced by at least 2 million gallons per day during the summer.”
Water customers with addresses ending with an odd number (i.e., 1, 3, 5, 7, & 9) may water Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday. Addresses ending with an even number (i.e., 0, 2, 4, 6, & 8) may water on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Friday is a non-watering day for all Lacey water customers.
Scheduled watering applies to turf (grass), annual and perennial ornamental flowerbeds, vegetable gardens, and any other landscaping plant material that is regularly maintained outside of a residence or commercial building. Lacey water customers failing to follow the alternate day watering schedule will receive a warning, which could ultimately lead to service being 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 landscape, 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, please contact Lacey Water Resources at (360) 438-2687, or by email at WaterResources@ci.lacey.wa.us. Information is also available on the city’s website at www.ci.lacey.wa.us/odd-even.
