Seng calls for voluntary water conservation

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Mayor Coleen Seng on Thursday encouraged residents to voluntarily conserve outdoor water by following the designated day schedule for outdoor watering instituted four years ago. 

Seng encouraged conservation as the summer months approach and the western part of the state, which is the source of Lincoln's water supply, continues to experience dry conditions.

“Despite recent rains, we know from experience that the weather can change quickly, and drought conditions are always possible,” Seng said.

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(LJS File)

(LJS File)

Properties with street addresses ending in an even number, including zero, are asked to voluntarily limit outdoor water use -- watering lawns and washing vehicles -- to Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.  Properties with addresses ending in odd numbers are asked to voluntarily limit outdoor watering to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Property owners with more than one street address at the same location can choose either daily schedule and notify the Lincoln Water System of their decision.

“Residents have done a good job conserving outdoor water in the past,” said Jerry Obrist, utilities coordinator for the Lincoln Water System. “The city’s water fees are structured to encourage conservation. The more water you use, the higher the rate, so those who water excessively this summer can expect high water bills."

Water is billed by the unit -- 100 cubic feet of water or about 750 gallons --  at $1.05 per unit for the first eight units (about 6,000 gallons). The price increases to $1.48 per unit for the next 15 units (11,250 gallons). It goes up to $2.28 per unit for every 750 gallons above 15 units. 

A complete description of water rates is available on the city's Web site, under the tab for Public Works and Utilities.

In addition to following the designated day system, the Mayor’s Water Conservation Task Force recommends that residents:

* water during the cool part of the day;

* not water when it is windy;

* adjust sprinklers to water only the lawn, and not the sidewalk or street;

* use a broom, not a hose and water, for outdoor cleaning; and wash your car with a pail of soapy water, using the hose only to rinse the car.

Obrist encouraged those with automatic lawn irrigation systems to set them to follow the designated watering days system.

“Our statistics show that enough people are conforming to our conservation suggestions that our peak time for water usage has shifted from later in the day to earlier in the day,” he said, adding that the use of designated days helps level the daily usage of water throughout the week.