Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler is urging residents to continue to conserve water this summer by voluntarily following the designated day schedule instituted three years ago.

The Lincoln area was below normal for precipitation in the months of June and July, with dwindling Platte River flows, according to a news release.

Lincoln has received about an inch of rain in the past 39 days. The Platte River wellfield that supplies Lincoln with its drinking water is 78 percent full. The reservoir systems on the North Platte River that are used by the city are only 35 to 40 percent full.

On July 18, Lincoln Water System  customers used 85 million gallons of water, the highest usage since June of 2002. The next day, the city received a little more than half an inch of rain, and usage fell to 52 million gallons.

Those whose properties have street addresses ending in an even number, including zero, are asked to voluntarily limit outdoor water use to Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Those whose properties have addresses ending in odd numbers are asked to voluntarily limit outdoor watering to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Those with property having more than one street address at the same location can choose either daily schedule and notify the Lincoln Water System of their decision.

In addition to following the designated day system, other actions recommended: 

* Watering during the cool part of the day; 

* Not watering when it is windy; 

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

* Using a broom, not a hose and water, for outdoor cleaning; 

* Washing your car with a pail of soapy water, using the hose only to rinse the car.