*OUTDOOR WATERING BAN CALLED BY STATE: LINCOLN GOES TO STAGE 4 WATERING
RESTRICTION*
On July 21, with the majority of the state currently experiencing
elevated temperatures and forecasts predicting little to no meaningful
precipitation, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Beth
Card today declared a Level 3-Critical Drought in the Northeast and
Central Regions of the state.
_This means Lincoln Water Department is moving to Lincoln’s Stage 4_
Drought Protocol, our highest level. We revised our Stage 4 this spring
to bring it into compliance with the state protocols. Stage 4 now
stipulates:
>>>*NO NON-ESSENTIAL OUTDOOR WATERING, NOT EVEN HAND WATERING<<<*
NOTE: Agricultural watering for commercial farming is considered essential
*Don’t panic, an established lawn can handle a drought* like this. Below
Is a link to a treatise on managing your lawn during a drought. It’s an
ad I found on-line, but it’s very well written:
https://theturfgrassgroup.com/turf-care/caring-for-your-lawn-before-during-and-after-a-drought/
Key points:
1.An established lawn can survive without water for 2 -3 weeks. It is
better to let it go dormant than to keep it going with too little water.
2.A dormant lawn requires only ¼ to ½ inch of water every 2 – 4 weeks to
keepit alive. Check the white area at the base of the plant. If it still
off-white, it is OK. If it is starting to turn brown, time to give it a
light watering as above so as to preserve it without bringing it out of
dormancy
3.Stay off the grass while it is dormant.
*Most established shrubs can also survive a drought.* A heavy mulch
helps to preserve moisture.
This will be a difficult time for all of us, but these actions are
essential to save the rivers, streams, ground water, and native flora
and fauna.
*Summary of Restrictions
*
*Allowed Activity*
*Time of day*
*Stage 1*
*Stage 2
*(2 days per week)
*Stage 3
*(1 day per week)
*Stage 4*
*Handheld watering*
6PM-9AM
Any day
Any day
Any day
Not allowed
*Above-ground/
in-ground sprinklers*
7PM-7AM
Every
By house number
Even = Tues/Sat
Odd = Wed/Sun
By house number
Even = Sat
Odd = Sun
Not allowed
*Soaker hoses*
Any time
2 days per week
I day per week
Not allowed
*Drip irrigation*
Any time
2 days per week
I day per week
I day per week
*New lawns*
Install
Watering
Any time
Any time
June, Sep only+20 days of daily watering
Then 2 days per week only
June, Sep only
I day per week
Not allowed
*Washing vehicles*
Any time
Allowed
Use commercial
Use commercial
Use commercial
*Washing buildings, pavement*
Any time
Allowed
Not allowed
Not allowed
Not allowed
*Swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, Jacuzzis*
Any time
Allowed
One fill per season for new or repair
Topping off only
3” per month
Topping off or refill
Not Allowed
*Car wash fundraisers*
Any time
Allowed
Allowed
Not allowed
Not allowed
*Games or toys with continuous water *
Any time
Allowed
Allowed 30 mins/day on the assigned watering day
Allowed 30 mins/day on the assigned watering day
Not allowed
*Lincoln Water Department*
*Released by Ruth Ann Hendrickson, Water Commission Chair**
*
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