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County worries 3-day watering rule may backfire

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

Fayette County’s lawn-loving residents will have to get used to a new, more restrictive watering schedule.

The Fayette County Commission reluctantly approved adopting the Department of Natural Resources’ watering guidelines that start Aug. 1.

The new restrictions limit residents who have addresses ending in odd numbers to watering on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Residents with addresses ending in even numbers will be limited to Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays. No watering by anybody will be allowed on Fridays.

Since the late 1980s, Fayette County has had the odd-even series of water restrictions in place and Water Director Tony Parrot thinks the new restrictions could actually increase the county’s water use.

“Our old restrictions let residents water seven days in two weeks. The new ones only allow for six days in two weeks,” he said.

Because nobody is allowed to water on Friday, Parrot worries that residents may try and make up for the lost day on their next scheduled watering day.

Fayette County Commission Chairman Greg Dunn had written the DNR and asked if Fayette County could continue using their old watering restrictions. Despite showing statistics that indicated the county was already meeting the state’s standards for water conservation, Dunn was told no.

“What happens if we don’t adopt their recommendations?” asked Commissioner Linda Wells.

County Attorney Bill McNally told the board a refusal to adopt the standards could lead the Department of Natural Resources to withhold future water permits.

After hearing McNally’s reason, the board unanimously approved the new water restrictions.