Posted By: KLKN Newsroom
8@klkntv.com
Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler says residents have been doing well when it comes to conserving water.
The city's goal for water use is 55–million gallons a day or less. August water use averaged *57–million gallons a day.
The mayor wants to thank everyone for cutting back. He says the restrictions must remain in place until flows in the Platte River improve.
"As long as the drought continues and river flows remain minimal, we must continue our water conservation efforts in order to replenish the aquifer," Mayor Beutler said.
Under mandatory water restrictions, all Lincoln water customers must follow the designated day schedule for all outdoor watering.
• Properties with street addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8) must limit outdoor water use to Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
• Properties with street addresses ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) must limit outdoor water use to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
• No watering is allowed on Mondays, except for designated uses.
• Property owners with more than one street address at the same location can choose either schedule and must notify the Lincoln Water System (LWS) of their decision.
Jerry Obrist, Lincoln Water System (LWS) Chief Engineer, said river flow of at least 700 cubic feet per second (cfs) is needed to begin to refill the aquifer. River flow so far in September is averaging 455 cfs. The normal September cessation of agricultural irrigation may soon help increase river flow.
To prevent the loss of street trees during the drought, Mayor Beutler also asked residents to water young street trees neighboring their property on their designated watering days. Trees planted within the last five years are at risk.
