Water Conservation Restrictions

Annual Restrictions in Effect - Beginning June 9, 2023

In an effort to stay within the limits of our water management registration constraints, strain on our sources, and to conserve water, the WRWS will be implementing annual restrictions effective June 9, 2023 – September 30, 2023.  We will communicate any extension or elevation of this water conservation effort to all users.

Report a Water Restriction Violation

Please complete the Water Restriction Violation Report Form if you see activity you believe to be outside of current water restrictions.  

Water Conservation Restrictions
(Section 24 of Rules and Regulations, pages 23-25)

The Weir River Water System may restrict non-essential outdoor water use for water utilized from the water service connection as a means of managing its water supply. Based on an evaluation of drought conditions, extended forecasts, groundwater levels, surface water levels, stream and river flows, the state and condition of its water supply, or the time of year, the Weir River Water System may implement one of two water restriction programs at any time:

Annual Restrictions

The following restrictions may be implemented by the Weir River Water System at any time during the period April 15 through October 15 (the “restriction period”) and shall apply to all Customers:

  • Operation of irrigation systems or hose-end sprinklers only between 12:01 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
  • Watering by sprinkler or irrigation systems is allowed on Customers’ assigned day only before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
  • Customers’ assigned days are as follows:
    • Odd addresses: Tuesdays and/or Saturdays;
    • Even addresses: Wednesdays and/or Sundays;
    • No address: Sundays and/or Wednesdays
  • Hand watering is allowed anytime, unless prohibited pursuant to Drought Condition Restrictions.
  • The Weir River Water System may institute further restrictions, on a community-by-community basis, as conditions or regulations may require.

The following shall also apply:

  • Enforcement: during the restriction period, 1st Violation and 2nd Violation notices shall state the consequences (i.e., shut off-termination charges and fees) for each subsequent violation cited during the restriction period.
  • The Weir River Water System will notify local towns and agencies and the Department of Environmental Protection of the implementation of restrictions.
  • Copies of notification, penalties, termination notices, and acknowledgements of penalties will be kept by the Weir River Water System.
  • Customers will be notified by local newspaper and radio stations, signs posted on roadways entering the community, handouts and advance notification through billing of these restrictions. In an emergency requiring 24 hour or less notification, termination will be deferred until the Customer found in violation is personally notified.
  • Exceptions may be granted for Annual Restrictions based on the review and approval of the Weir River Water System.
  • Restrictions will remain in effect until public notice is given by the Weir River Water System.
  • Costs of termination and restoration must be paid in full before service is restored.
  • The words “Personal Notification” shall be taken to include posting at the Premises being serviced by hanging or taping to the entrance facing the street, walk or driveway.

Drought Restrictions

During any state-declared or state-confirmed drought, situation of operational limitation of the water supply system, or potential for exceeding the allowable water withdrawal volume under the Water Management Act, the Weir River Water System may restrict water usage using any of the following restriction levels:

LEVEL I: Mandatory Restrictions – Outside irrigation limited to 1 day per week per Customer, based on an odd/even allocation program. Odd addresses are Tuesdays and Even addresses are Wednesdays.

  • 1st Violation – $50 Fine
  • 2nd Violation – $100 Fine
  • Subsequent Violations – Termination of service, plus the costs of termination and restoration.

LEVEL II: Mandatory Total Ban – All non-essential outdoor usage is prohibited (irrigation using automatic sprinklers or soaker hoses; the washing of vehicles, exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks; and, filling swimming pools). The Weir River Water System may also ban the use of hand held watering at their discretion.

  • 1st Violation – $50 Fine
  • 2nd Violation – $100 Fine
  • Subsequent Violations – Termination of service, plus the costs of termination and restoration.

1) 1st Violation and 2nd Violation notices shall state the consequences (i.e., shut off – termination costs and fees) for each subsequent violation cited during the restriction period.

2) The Weir River Water System will notify local towns and agencies and the Department of Environmental Protection upon the implementation of any level of restrictions.

3) Copies of notification, penalties, termination notices, and acknowledgements of penalties will be kept of file by the Weir River Water System.

4) Customers will be notified by local newspaper and radio stations, signs posted on roadways entering the community, handouts and advance notification through billing for drought related restrictions. In an emergency requiring 24 hour or less notification, termination will be deferred until the Customer found in violation is personally notified.

5) No exceptions will be granted for Drought Restrictions.

6) Restrictions will remain in effect until public notice is given by the Weir River Water System.

7) Costs of termination and restoration must be paid in full before service is restored.

8) The words (Personal Notification) shall be taken to include posting at the Premises being serviced by hanging or taping to the entrance facing the street, walk or driveway.

9) The words (restriction period) shall mean the interval between publication of the first public notice in accordance with Section 25(b)(2) above and the lifting of restrictions as stated in Section 25(b)(6).

Water Education

WaterSmart

Are you WaterSmart? Whether it’s in our homes, at our businesses or on our streets, we can all do our part to keep our water clean, plentiful, and affordable. We can all be WaterSmart. Visit WaterSmartSouthShore.org

Greenscapes Guide

Greenscapes are ealthy, beautiful yards that protect our water. Greenscapes are yards bursting with color and visual interest that are easy, efficient and cost-effective to maintain. Greenscapes drastically lower water consumption, and let nature do most of the work, keeping our yards beautiful so we don’t have to!

Read More! GreenScapes Guide (PDF)

Simple Steps to Conserve Water

Download Flyer  (PDF)

Inside the Home

By giving your bathroom a water efficiency makeover with WaterSense labeled toilets and faucets, you could save more than 11,000 gallons annually—and that’s no drop in the bucket.

Get Flush With Savings 

  • Consider installing a WaterSense labeled toilet, which uses 20 percent less water while offering equal or superior performance. Compared to older, inefficient models, WaterSense labeled toilets could save a family of four more than $90 annually on its water utility bill, and $2,000 over the lifetime of the toilets.
  • Check for toilet leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 15 minutes. (Make sure to flush as soon as the test is done, since food coloring can stain the tank.)

Accessorize Your Faucet

  • Installing a WaterSense labeled aerator is one of the most cost-effective ways to save water. Also consider replacing the entire faucet with a WaterSense labeled model. Either way, you can increase the faucet’s efficiency by 30 percent without sacrificing performance. 
  • Repair dripping faucets and showerheads. A drip rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.

Clean Up With Savings

  • A full bathtub can require up to 70 gallons of water, while taking a 5-minute shower uses only 10 to 25 gallons.
  • Turning off the tap while you brush your teeth can save 8 gallons per day.

Lighten Your Loads

  • Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes or lower the water settings for smaller loads.
  • Replace your old washing machine with a high-efficiency, ENERGY STAR® labeled model, which uses up to 50 percent less water and electricity.

Outside the Home

The average single-family suburban home uses at least 30 percent of its water for  outdoor purposes such as irrigation and as much as 70 percent in dry climates.  Some experts estimate that more than 50 percent of landscape water is wasted due  to evaporation, wind, or overwatering. 

Water When Needed 

  • Water your lawn or garden during the cool morning hours, as opposed to midday, to reduce evaporation.
  • Look for sprinklers that produce droplets, not mist, or use soaker hoses or trickle irri­gation for trees and shrubs.
  • Set sprinklers to water lawns and gardens only. Check that you’re not watering the street or sidewalk.
  • Try not to overwater your landscaping. Learn plants’ water needs and water different types appropriately.

Grow Green Grass 

  • Don’t overfertilize. You will increase the lawn’s need for water.
  • Raise your lawn mower blade to at least 3 inches. Taller grass promotes deeper roots, shades the root system, and holds soil moisture better than a closely cropped lawn. 

Garden With Care 

  • Plant climate-appropriate species. Try plants that are native to where you live, which don’t require as much water, and group plants together by water requirements.
  • Use mulch around trees and plants to help reduce evaporation and control water-stealing weeds.