[July 29, 2011] Aug. 1 water restrictions reduce watering times Tweet Jul 29, 2011 (Odessa American - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- ODESSA, Texas -- It's more bad news for the few green lawns remaining out there. As Odessa continues to top the daily use limit of 22.4 million gallons daily, the city of Odessa will implement new water restrictions beginning Monday. Businesses and residents with odd-numbered addresses can only water between 6 p.m. and midnight on Wednesdays and Sundays, while businesses and residents with even-numbered addresses can only water between 6 p.m. and midnight on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The reduced watering times come just a month after the city of Odessa reduced watering days from three days to two days a week. "The whole idea behind it is obviously to try to restrict the outdoor watering. Outdoor watering is really the reasoning we're going above our trigger (use limit)," city utilities director Matt Irvin said. "Over a period of time we've seen our average usage just not get where we need to be." Irvin said average water usage has dropped since the Colorado River Municipal Water District reduced allotted daily water use from 25.2 million gallons daily to 22.4 million gallons daily. However, average water usage still rests above the 22.4 million gallons daily limit, Irvin said, hovering between 23 and 24 million gallons in seven-day running averages. As watering times are reduced, Odessa director of community development Merita Sandoval said the seasonal and permit inspectors will continue making their rounds around Odessa to find violators. There will be no grace period for violators, Sandoval said, and violators will continue to be handed warnings or citations. The nine seasonal and permit inspectors will especially be on the lookout for watering done after the midnight mark. Since May, almost 2,200 violations have been made, but since the city started issuing citations at the beginning of June, there have been only 27 citations given. "There are quite a few who have been watering during that time period (between midnight and 10 a.m.)," Sandoval said. "I would ask them to please comply with the new restrictions. We've got to conserve our water." Irvin said there is no indication at the moment if any more amendments will be made to water restrictions, and there is no indication if any future water restrictions will include a further reduction of watering days. The only way to see water usage numbers go down significantly is to stop outdoor watering, Irvin said. "People have to understand and get it in their heads that they just have to sacrifice their outdoor watering. Their yards just may not be able to stay as green as they want it and still adhere to these restrictions," Irvin said. "That can only be done by people sacrificing." "They really need to comply in order for us to have water for the basic needs you have for living," Sandoval said. WATER RESTRICTIONS EFFECTIVE MONDAY --Odd numbered addresses: Watering permitted between 6 p.m. and midnight on Wednesdays and Sundays. --Even numbered addresses: Watering permitted between 6 p.m. and midnight on Tuesdays and Saturdays. --Vehicle washing is limited to commercial and mobile car washes only. --Washing down of sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, streets and gutters is prohibited. --Washing down of buildings is prohibited unless for fire protection. --All water leaks must be repaired within a reasonable time frame. --Violations of the restrictions are punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000. --Water restrictions do not apply to effluent or well water. Well water users need to have their well verified by city code enforcement officers and place a sign issued by the city on their property. Call 335-4820 to make an inspection appointment. To see more of the Odessa American, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.oaoa.com. Copyright (c) 2011, Odessa American, Texas Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]