Annual Water Restrictions

To conserve water resources and allow the city's water system flexibility in meeting peak demands, certain limitations must be placed on the city's water supply. An odd-even sprinkling restriction based on street addresses is in effect from May 1 to September 30 each year. City water cannot be used for the purposes of irrigating or watering lawn, sod, or seeded areas between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily

Watering Schedule

Monday:

• "No Watering" day. City water cannot be used for the purposes of irrigating or watering lawns, sod, or seeded areas.

Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.):

• Even-Numbered Residences are permitted to water
• Commercial Customers are permitted to water

Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday (before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.):

• Odd-Numbered Residences are permitted to water
• Homeowners Associations are permitted to water
• Apartment Complexes that provide a common irrigation system are permitted to water

Penalties

• 1st Offense: Warning
• 2nd Offense: $25 Fine
• 3rd Offense: $50 Fine
• 4th Offense: $100 Fine
• 5th Offense: Restrictive devise placed on sprinkler system and outside water tap

Restriction Exceptions

The water use restrictions do not apply in the following situations:

1. Limited hand watering of plants using a hose
2. Watering of new landscaping, sod, or seed within 30 days of installation (a "new lawn" registration is required for this exemption).
3. Watering from a source other than the city's water supply if the water user has registered the alternative source with Rice County and the alternative source is properly permitted by the State of Minnesota. Under this exemption, the city may inspect the property to ensure compliance.

New Lawn Registration

Contact the Public Works Department to register your new lawn. There is no fee for this service. Some restrictions remain in effect, including no watering between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and no watering on Mondays. The following information is needed to register your new lawn:

• Name
• Phone number
• Address
• Date grass was planted or sod was laid

Water Treatment & Distribution

This division provides for daily operation and maintenance of the City’s potable water system, including

• 2 pumping stations
• 4 storage tanks
• 5 production wells
• Chemical addition facilities
• Hydrants
• Reading customer meters
• Valves
• Water mains

Division staff devotes significant time to responding to customer concerns, coordinating with contractors, and locating services lines. As with all divisions within the Public Works Department, the water / utilities division participates in snow and ice removal in conjunction with the street maintenance division. They also participate in seal coating operations.

The water subdivision employs a staff of 3 full-time employees who work under the supervision of a Public Works Superintendent. The Superintendent may utilize staff from the utilities subdivision as well when needed for operations and maintenance. This subdivision also supplements its staff with 2 temporary employees each summer. One summer employee is used for gopher-one locates and 1 is used for grounds maintenance for the water treatment facility and water storage facility.