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LEHI — It’s going to be a long, hot summer, and already some cities that are facing water challenges have started to take action.
Lehi announced Wednesday its summer water restrictions, which are considered more aggressive than last year’s.
“We’re all dealing with low water levels and an ongoing drought,” said Robert Ranc, assistant to the city administrator. “We’re doing our best to conserve water to balance the need and the desire for a good-looking landscape, while at the same time preserving the water that we have.”
The restrictions include:
- Lawn watering limited to two days per week, with odd-numbered addresses watering Monday and Friday, even-numbered addresses watering Tuesday and Saturday, plus spot-watering on Sunday.
- No recreational sprinkler use and outdoor water toys.
- No hard-surface washing, except for health and safety reasons.
- Pool levels lowered by 4 inches to reduce water loss from splashing, and pool covers when pools aren’t in use.
- Water cannot spray above fountain or pond surfaces.
- Vehicles should be washed on lawns or other permeable surfaces; buckets or hoses with positive pressure nozzles should be used.
A notice from the city noted some exceptions for sprinklers, including new lawns that require frequent irrigation the first 30 days after installation, as well as for short cycles needed to test, inspect and maintain irrigation systems.
A first violation, according to the city, comes with a warning. A second violation can result in a $100 fine. A third violation and all subsequent violations can be met with a $500 fine.
Still, Ranc said the city’s hope for the conservation measures is to be educational and corrective rather than punitive.
“This year, we have less than 50 percent of our allotted water,” Ranc said. “We know that this is not ideal, it’s not a fun thing to do.”
The restrictions take effect May 11. They do not affect culinary water.
Homeowners, despite the looming disruptions, seemed to be taking the actions in stride.
Lehi resident Joe Shelton, 76, said he didn’t care if his lawn burned, but he was concerned about his garden.
He said he would make do with the water he was allowed to use, though he noted Lehi’s rapid growth probably hasn’t helped the water pinch.
“If we can’t offer the services to people, why let them build?” he questioned. “Maybe we need to tell them from the get-go there is a limited amount of water in this city and you might have to go without a day or two.”
