As I sit down to write this blog, I can’t help but reflect on the warm couple of days we have experienced in recent days. Just yesterday, The Weather Channel reported a high temperature of 69 degrees! I saw a meme on social media today saying that we are in “spring of deception” right now. Even so, the first warm days always bring us to start thinking about our lawns, gardens and all those other outside projects on the to-do list. Before we know it, it will be time to turn on those lawn irrigation systems.

If you weren’t aware, the city purchases its water from the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA). There is a pricing structure in place that rewards us when we use water when it’s not in peak demand, and if we reduce our maximum daily usage.  Irrigation systems are one of those water systems that can be easily programmed to run in a way that can reduce the cost of our community’s water. When we follow the guidelines, we can lower our water rates, or at least reduce the pace of rate increases.

The non-peak time for water usage is 12am to 5am. Additionally, if you have an even numbered address we ask that you water on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Those with odd numbered addresses should water on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Please also take a look at the attached graphic and remember to program your system to run on the quarter hour as indicated by the zone your system is located in.

By all means, do not turn on your irrigation systems yet, as ‘old man winter is still lurking, but when you do, I hope you will remember these guidelines and help us all control water rates.

By Stan Torres

Manager of Municipal Properties