Odd-even watering schedule for Lacey starts on June 1

In an effort to reduce peak water demand during the summer months, the City of  Lacey is rolling out its mandatory odd-even watering schedule for yards and outdoor landscapes.

The odd-even watering schedule begins on Sunday, June 1, and runs through Tuesday, Sept. 30. City of Lacey water customers can water on the following days based on the last number of their address.

• Odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9): Watering days are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
• Even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8): Watering days are Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
• No watering is allowed on Friday.

“The odd-even watering schedule applies to grass, annual and perennial ornamental flowerbeds, vegetable gardens, and any other landscaping regularly maintained outside a residence or commercial building,” the City of Lacey said in announcing the watering schedule.

“Water used for other purposes, such as pools, pressure washing, outdoor potted plants, hanging baskets, and plants stored inside greenhouses, is not currently included in the mandatory watering schedule.

“Customers with newly seeded lawns or recently installed landscapes can apply for an exemption by contacting Lacey Water Resources. Publicly owned facilities with active playfields are exempt from the mandatory schedule.”

Customers who run afoul of the schedule could face financial penalties or, in certain cases, have their water service shut off.

• A first reported violation results in a warning.
• A second report results in an official Notice of Violation.
• A third report results in a $125 fine.
• After a fourth reported violation, water service will be shut off and with a fine of $250.

The odd-even watering practice was adopted in 2006.

“During the hot summer months, Lacey Water Utility customers often use up to 15 million gallons of water per day. That is more than double what is used during the rest of the year because of outdoor watering and irrigation,” the City of Lacey said.

“While most of us enjoy having a lush, green landscape during the height of our outdoor activities, large numbers of people watering at the same time can cause stress to the water distribution system. Alternating our outdoor watering days helps conserve valuable water resources, helping your water utility meet peak summer demands.”

For more details, including violation information, visit CityofLacey.org/Odd-Even or contact Lacey Water Resources at (360) 491-5600 or email at WaterResources@CityofLacey.org.