Mandatory Water Rationing Goes Into Effect In Norman On Monday

Mandatory water rationing will go into effect in Norman on Monday. This is because of the drastically low water level at Lake Thunderbird.

According to officials, Norman is currently categorized as having extreme drought conditions. The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center expects the current drought to continue or worsen through at least the Spring of 2013.

Currently, the water level in Lake Thunderbird is seven and half feet below the normal pool elevation and is on track next month to meet and exceed the historical record low level set in 2006. Approximately two third of Norman's water supply originates from Lake Thunderbird.

The City of Norman is instituting "Stage 2 Moderate (Mandatory) Conservation" plan. The rationing follows the usual odd/even rules. Except, all outdoor water or irrigation is prohibited between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

In Stage 2 of the City of Norman adopted Water Conservation Plan, the following rules and regulations apply:

For Residential Customers:

• All outdoor watering or irrigation is prohibited between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

• Odd/Even water restrictions (house addresses that end with an even number water on even numbered calendar days; house addresses that end with an odd number water on odd number calendar days) for irrigation purposes are required for all customers with NO watering on Wednesday and Thursday of each week. The 31st day of the month is not included in the odd/even water rotation, but conservation is urged.

• Hand watering gardens/plants/shrubs with a hose is allowed at any time.

• Excess water run-off from any landscaped area onto streets is prohibited whether by design, maladjustment to sprinkler system, or usage during high winds.

• Washing of cars, trucks, trailers or other vehicles is prohibited unless these items are taken to a commercial carwash.

• Washing or hosing down of buildings, sidewalks, driveways, patios, porches, parking areas or any paved surface is prohibited.

For Commercial Customers:

• All residential watering and irrigation restrictions noted above apply.

• Developers and commercial enterprises are asked to wait until the current drought or water emergency has passed before establishing new landscaping.

For the City of Norman:

• The City will follow the same watering conservation rules as the public.

• City splash pad operation hours will be reduced by 2 hours each day when in service.

• Eliminate non-essential City water use (e.g. street cleaning, vehicle washing, flushing of water mains, fire hydrant testing, etc).

Additional information:

• The conservation measures apply to City of Norman water customers. Those residents with private wells are not subject to City of Norman's conservation rules.

• The Mandatory Conservation Stage will be lifted by notice from the City Manager's office. Notification will be in the newspaper and on the City web site.

• Violating or ignoring the Mandatory Conservation rules may result in enforcement action as set in the City of Norman Code of Ordinances 21-501. Violations are considered a misdemeanor and punishable with fines not less than $50 or more than $750 per violation.

For more information about the Water Conservation Plan and to read the conservation plan in full.