Date:

July 28, 2006

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Jerry Obrist, Lincoln Water System, 441-7571

John Miriovsky, Lincoln Water System,441-5932

During the next week, local high temperatures are predicted to again climb to around 100 degrees with little rainfall predicted. Rainfall for 2006 is five inches below normal. The City of Lincoln 'strongly encourages' business and residential water customers to follow the City’s voluntary outdoor watering restrictions to conserve water.

Property owners with street addresses ending in even numbers (including zero) are asked to limit outdoor water use to Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Those with addresses ending in odd numbers are asked to limit outdoor watering to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Mondays are 'no watering' days. Watering your yard completely once weekly generally is adequate.

“Since flows in the Platte River are mirroring the same levels as in 2002, the year we implemented 'Mandatory Designated Day' Watering Restrictions, it is very important that we do all we can to conserve water,” said Mayor Seng. “Following the designated day schedule for outdoor watering and car-washing will make the biggest difference.” Random observations, in the various neighborhoods, indicate a lot of customers are observing the 'designated day watering', however all customers need to implement the watering schedule, to hopefully avoid 'mandatory restrictions.’ 2002 was the last time that the City had mandatory restrictions on outdoor water use.

Jerry Obrist, Chief Engineer for the Lincoln Water System (LWS), said water usage has topped 76 million gallons some days this year. LWS estimates that current river flows can sustain a usage rate average of about 70 million gallons per day. Water usage in July is averaging around 61 million gallons a day. Water usage this July is approaching the fourth highest monthly usage on record.

The public can track daily water usage on the City Web site at lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: water). The site also includes suggestions for water conservation, the City’s Water Management Plan and water rates. LWS water rates are structured to encourage conservation – those who use more water are charged a higher rate.