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City of Lincoln
Summer Water Use Curtailment Plan

Phase 3: Mandatory Designated Day Schedule for Outdoor Watering

  1. Implementation.
    Phase 3 may be implemented when the customer usage exceeds 90 million gallons per day for five (5) consecutive days; or reservoir operational storage levels do not refill above 50 percent from day to day for five (5) consecutive days; or the wellfield supply is reduced to less than 60 percent of the operational volume. (See Appendix "A", 1) When the Director of Public Works and Utilities deems it appropriate, using best professional judgment and considering weather conditions, weather forecasts, river flow conditions and water system operations, recommendations may be made to the Mayor for acceleration to an appropriate Phase in the Plan.
  2. Public and City Involvement.
    All measures implemented in previous Phases shall continue, with the following additions:
    1. Customers shall be REQUIRED to follow the designated day schedule according to address number.
    2. Sod, newly seeded lawns less than 30 days old for cool season grasses (See Appendix "A", 8); and less than 45 days old for warm season grasses (See Appendix "A", 9), including seeding for erosion control on disturbed sites, and mulched plantings may be watered every day, provided the property owner has obtained a no fee permit for watering from the Department of Building and Safety (See Appendix "A", 7). Sod, newly seeded lawns over 30 days old for cool season grasses; and over 45 days old for warm season grasses (including seeding for erosion control on disturbed sites), and mulched plantings shall be watered only on the designated day schedule. Receipts and proof of purchase/installation date shall be required in obtaining a permit for watering from the Department of Building and Safety. Placement of permit shall be visibly posted in a window facing the street.
    3. Customers that have established lawns that install an underground irrigation system may obtain a 10 day no fee permit for watering from the Department of Building and Safety (See Appendix "A", 19).
    4. Commercial nurseries are exempt from Phase 3 watering restrictions but are requested to curtail all non-essential outdoor water use. Trees that have been transplanted within the last three years may require approximately 10 gallons of water every seven to ten days (See Appendix "A", 12).
    5. Customers that have water cooled air-conditioners or private wells shall obtain a no fee permit from the Department of Building and Safety (See Appendix "A, 13). Placement of permit shall be visibly posted in a window facing the street.
    6. The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats and other types of mobile equipment is limited to the designated day schedule, unless the "health and safety" (See Appendix "A", 14) of the public is contingent upon frequent cleaning (i.e., garbage trucks, vehicles transporting food perishables, sludge trucks, and emergency vehicles.)
    7. Commercial car washing facilities and commercial power washer businesses shall not be prohibited from operating, however, power washer businesses must comply with the designated day schedule.
    8. Replenishment of water used for the operation of public and private ornamental fountains and waterfalls greater than 20,000 gallon capacity is PROHIBITED.
    9. The watering of golf course tees and Sunken Gardens shall be permitted only on the designated day schedule (See Appendix "A", 10). The watering of golf course fairways shall be permitted on Monday only, using the "dormancy hydration plan"(see Appendix "A", 2). The watering of golf course greens; USGA-styled sand-based athletic fields (See Appendix "A", 11); and ballfield infields (See Appendix "A", 6) is permitted every day.
    10. The washing of sidewalks, driveways and other paved areas is PROHIBITED unless necessary to prevent imminent danger to "health or safety" (See Appendix "A",14).
    11. The refilling or adding of water to private and/or public swimming pools and/or wading pools is PROHIBITED except between the hours of midnight to 6:00 a.m. daily. The draining of private swimming pools is PROHIBITED except for an end of season closure or emergency maintenance. The provision shall apply to all consumptive recreational water uses unless specifically exempted. An exemption is allowed for wading pools for small children or utilized to keep pets cool.
    12. The decision to fill city swimming pools shall be approved by the Mayor. If approved, filling will be completed as quickly as reasonably and safely possible. If it becomes necessary to drain off some or all of the water in a city swimming pool, the decision to do so shall be made by the Aquatics and Mechanical Maintenance Staff, and/or the Director of Parks and Recreation. The decision to refill the pool shall be made by the Mayor, and refilling will be completed as quickly as reasonably and safely possible.
    13. Private contractor jet flushing of sanitary sewers shall be limited to usage of 6,000 gallons of potable water per day; storm sewer flushing, or street sweeping of existing streets, or street sweeping of newly constructed streets shall be limited to usage of 6,000 gallons of potable water per day each. (See Appendix "A", 15 - Rules for City operations)
    14. Upon written request, the Director of Public Works and Utilities may allow Monday watering in lieu of weekend watering. This option provides Monday watering only where weekend watering would be a hardship and when the site is unattended on weekends.
    15. The hydrant flushing maintenance program will be suspended. Hydrant flushing, to enhance water quality, fire flow tests, and large meter tests will be done only as deemed necessary by the Director of Public Works and Utilities.
  3. Termination.
    Phase 3 shall remain in effect until conditions indicate a more restrictive Phase is necessary, or until rescinded by the Mayor.
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Summer Water Use Curtailment Plan