Water Restrictions Partially Lifted

Full details on the updated water restrictions can be found below.  To summarize, a message from our very own  Randy Donauer:

We can now begin watering 2 days per week (after 9 pm and before 6 am).  See the schedule and details below.

- odd numbered houses can water Tuesday & Saturday (before 6 am and after 9 pm)

- even numbered houses can water Wednesday & Sunday (before 6 am and after 9 pm)

- newly sodded/seeded lawn can be watered every day (before 6 am and after 9 pm)

We are still asking residents to conserve water as best they can, until our river flows slow down and our filters are at capacity.  Currently, our crews are removing 10 dump trucks of sand/silt from the water every 3 days.  That is a quite a demand on our filters, which is what slows down the water treatment facility.

At no time is water quality at risk.  It is tested regularly, and our water quality remains very high.  That is why the process is slow... to keep quality high for drinking. (See the complete news release below.)

- Randy Donauer Ward 5 City Council

________________________________

News Release For Immediate Release:  June 28, 2011

US11-314 OUTDOOR ODD/EVEN ADDRESS IRRIGATION SCHEDULE BEGINNING THIS EVENING, JUNE 28, AND THE UPDATED DECLARATION OF MANDATORY OUTDOOR WATER RESTRICTIONS

The City greatly appreciates the efforts of citizens to reduce their water use. Reduced water use has been a critical factor in enabling the Water Treatment Plant to meet basic water needs of citizens, and has enabled staff to make adjustments at the Plant to better deal with the sand and silt loading caused by high-river levels. Plant capacity has been partially restored, and as such the City is able to take measured steps towards lifting the water use restrictions.  Spray Parks will remain open, and paddling pools will be opened in phases later this week. The City will be carefully monitoring water consumption to ensure the Plant can continue to meet demand, and will adjust the restrictions if required. Remember not to overwater. Please see the official declaration for the irrigation schedule for citizens.

The outdoor irrigation restrictions remain in place because full capacity is not possible at the Water Treatment Plant. Continuing filter problems, which greatly restrict daily production capacity, are due to the high levels of sand, clay, and silt being drawn into the plant from the fast-flowing river. By restricting outdoor irrigation to the late evening and early morning, when indoor use and business use is low, the plant is expected to be able to handle the additional demand.

Conservation efforts by citizens are also encouraged during this time of restriction and throughout the summer. Lawns and gardens only need an inch of water every week, and it is better for the plant’s root system to water deeply.

Some general tips for your lawn and garden include:

• Use rain barrels on your property to catch and store rain water. Not only is this a great, fresh water source for watering your garden and pots, it’s free!
• By keeping your grass longer, approximately 3 inches high, the soil will retain more moisture, and less watering will be necessary.
• Water your lawn/garden only once a week, and skip a week after a good rain. Soil should be allowed to dry between watering to encourage root development.
• Water your lawn/garden deeply, approximately 1 inch, at each watering. One way to judge an inch of water is to place empty tuna cans or an upside down Frisbee on your lawn. When the container is full, you have watered one inch. The time to fill the container will vary depending on the type of sprinkler or irrigation method.

Saskatoon Fire & Protective Services staff have the ability to issue tickets, starting at $300, for non-compliance when the outdoor restriction is reported and proven. Residents within Saskatoon can call 975-2828 to file a complaint about non-compliance during a water restriction.

Residents in nearby towns and cities who receive their water from SaskWater including Warman, Osler, Martensville, Aberdeen, Dalmeny, Allen, Hague, and Clavet, are also asked to restrict outdoor water use as reductions in these centres also make a difference in demand.

Revised Official Declaration - The mandatory outdoor irrigation water restriction is in place from 4:00 p.m. on June 28 until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 15, unless earlier discontinued or extended.

Watering of lawns/gardens is prohibited, except:

• Commencing at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28, lawns/gardens at buildings with street addresses ending in an odd number, or do not have a street address (like a community garden), may be watered on Tuesdays and Saturdays before 6:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
• Commencing at 12:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29, lawns/gardens at buildings with street addresses ending in an even number may be watered on Wednesdays and Sundays before 6:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
• Buildings with lawn turf placed within the previous 14 days, or lawns seeded within the last 30 days, may water such turf or seeded lawn each day before 6:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.

Dated: June 28, 2011