Lawn Watering Update

Copied from City of Cheney Website:

Update on Lawn Watering in the City of Cheney; Odd/Even Watering Schedule Effective Friday, July 14

Residential and commercial lawn watering may resume under certain conditions, effective Friday, July 14.  On June 30 the City lost one of its largest production wells due to mechanical failure.  The City’s five water reservoirs were reduced to critically low levels; therefore, on July 6 an immediate lawn irrigation shutdown was enacted to help replenish the reservoirs.  Reservoir levels have now recovered to the point where limited lawn watering may be allowed.

In order to maintain appropriate levels in our reservoirs, the following water conservation measures are to be followed when watering residential and commercial lawns or greenspaces:

• Mandatory Odd/Even Watering Schedule:  Addresses ending in an odd number may water on odd calendar dates, and addresses ending in an even number may water on even calendar dates.  If your automatic sprinkler timer does not have an odd/even program, then please schedule your usage to 3-4 days per week.  This includes all residential, commercial, and apartment properties.
• Lawn Watering Times:  Watering times will be from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. or from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. if you don’t have an automatic timer.
• Amount of Water:  Restrict the amount of time you run your lawn sprinklers, which will conserve water and help to maintain our reservoir levels.
• Gardens and Flowers:  Watering of gardens and flowers is approved, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.  Use a soaker hose, drip system, or water by hand.  Apply mulch. 

Please note that a separate well with nonpotable water is used in city parks.  Also, Eastern Washington University has its own wells, which are not tied to Cheney’s reservoirs.

Cheney Water Department staff will continue to monitor levels in the city’s five reservoirs.  For up-to-date information on Cheney’s water resources and tips on water conservation, please continue to visit our website.  Signing up for alerts and news flashes will help keep you informed of new information as it is posted.

Here is a reservoir levels graphic to illustrate various water levels. This graphic is for illustration purposes only; the City of Cheney actually has five reservoirs.

We thank the community members who followed the recent lawn watering prohibition, but there is a continuing need for help from the community in preventing another reduction in the water level in the reservoirs.

City of Cheney Notice

July 6, 2017

Mandatory Lawn Irrigation Shutdown

The City of Cheney is enacting a mandatory lawn irrigation water shutdown for residents and businesses. On June 30th the City lost one of its largest production wells due to mechanical failure. Since June 30th, the City's water reservoirs have been reduced to critically low levels and therefore must have an immediate lawn irrigation shutdown to replenish the reservoirs. It is permissible to water vegetable gardens and flowers, but you are asked to use water wisely. It's anticipated that this well will be repaired within the next couple of weeks. If everyone complies with the lawn watering shutdown, then reservoirs should be at a safe level to possibly provide restricted, limited lawn irrigation use next week. We will keep you informed of the status of reservoirs and well repair.