Formal water use restrictions will be in effect Saturday, July 14, in Perham.
Fines and forced shut-down of water to homes are the penalties for water use violators, under an ordinance passed July 9 by the Perham City Council.
Starting on Saturday, lawns cannot be watered between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Residents with odd house numbers can water lawns or wash cars only on odd numbered days. Homeowners on even numbered addresses can water on even days.
The new ordinance allows one warning. For second violation, a $25 fine; and for a third violation, $50 fine.
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If the violation occurs four or more times, the city will shut-off water service for an indefinite period of time.
The new ordinance puts teeth into the city's water conservation efforts. Previously, the city ordinance lacked firm enforcement and punishment procedures.
Water consumption has been averaging 1.7 million gallons a day for the last two weeks. Water use peaked at 2 million gallons on June 29, and hit 1.97 million on July 3. Two pumps are running 24 hours a day, said public works superintendent Merle Meece, and a third pump is working nearly around the clock--causing substantial wear and tear on the equipment.
The restrictions are not aimed at businesses, such as car wash and laundry facilities. Those operations have water conservation measures and equipment in place.
Also, homeowners who recently seeded or sodded new lawns are exempt.
The ordinance establishes a record and documentation of the water violations, thereby making it enforcable.
"We all like green lawns, but there comes a point where it becomes a public safety issue if the fire department runs out of water, or the ground water aquafirs start to become depleted," said City Manager Bob Louiseau.
