City of Moscow Water Conservation Ordinance

On May 18th, the City Council approved the proposed Water Conservation Ordinance and accompanying Resolution. The Ordinance establishes an "Irrigation Season" between April 1 and October 31 with restricted hours (6:00 P.M. to 10:00 A.M.) for outdoor irrigation. This method is believed to be the most effective at reducing water loss due to irrigation. The restrictions established in the Ordinance includes some exceptions include hand watering, use of gray water or rainfall catchment's water, use of treated effluent, soaker type hoses, water used for dust control, to abate a public health hazard, to inspect sprinkler systems, and water used in the normal and customary course of a business operation, including a commercial nursery. The main intent of the restrictions is to limit the amount of water that is sprayed during the hotter periods of the day. This will serve to reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation and evapotranspiration. The Resolution addresses and establishes penalties for water waste.