The RM of Ritchot has introduced some new lawn-watering restrictions that will be in effect throughout the summer. These measures will be place from May 31 until September 30.
Put simply, the days on which you can water your lawn will depend on your house number. Those with even-numbered addresses will be allowed to water on even-numbered calendar days, whereas those with odd-numbered addresses will water on odd-numbered days.
According to the RM, the purpose of the restrictions is to ensure that the municipality continues to have a clean, reliable, and sustainable drinking water supply.
“Water usage increases substantially in the summer months, mostly due to lawn-watering,” reads a notice on the RM’s website. “In efforts to conserve water during peak demands, the Water Services Department is implementing restrictions on lawn-watering on all properties.”
These rules will apply to all properties, whether they’re zoned residential, commercial, or industrial. Schools, churches, and other non-profit organizations are also included.
Further, the RM notes that watering one’s lawn during the morning and evening, instead of the afternoon, reduces the amount of evaporation that occurs from lawns, sprinklers, and soils.
Therefore, watering is recommended between the hours of 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and between 7:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
“Newly planted sod, grass, or seed may be watered for the next 24-hour period, and on each of the six consecutive days immediately thereafter between the hours above,” the notice reads. “Watering trees, shrubs, and flowers is permitted any day, or any time if hand-watering or using drip irrigation.”
