Mandatory water restrictions are now in effect throughout Lincoln. If you don't follow the rules, Fletch will come to your house and do unspeakable things to you.
Comments
See what your friends and neighbors have to say about this.
Big Mike
August 9, 2012 at 6:15PM
So, here are my issues with the restrictions.
I currently have my watering system set to water every 3rd day. For the sake of argument let’s assume that I watered on Aug 1. This would result in watering 11 days in August. If I were to follow the “mandatory” schedule I would water 14 times. Net result is that I save more water now. Of the 11 days that I would water, 5 of those days would fall on the “mandatory” scheduled days.
While I fully understand the rationale behind the “mandatory” schedule I am a bit perplexed by the potential of being fined for consuming less water than is required by this “mandatory” schedule.
Can anyone help me understand?
Mr. Wilson
August 9, 2012 at 6:46PM
It’s about simplicity. Do you *really* want LPD snooping around everybody’s sprinkler systems to verify that they’re programmed correctly? Of course not. But without them doing that there is no way for them to know that your wrong day watering habits are, in fact, more eco-friendly than strictly following the watering schedule.
As for your present watering schedule, I implore you to water your lawn less. There is no socially-responsible reason to put more than about 1/2 inch of water per week on your lawn. We’re in the midst of a fairly impressive drought. Beyond maintaining basic lawn health, what reason have you to turn on your sprinklers? Anything beyond the minimum necessary is little more than selfishness at this point.
Henkel4star
August 9, 2012 at 10:37PM
Where does the request to water new City trees fall under these guidelines?
Simply a facetious query here.
On a more serious note. Does anyone have two cents to chip in on what will happen to the grass next spring? Neither of my thumbs are the slightest bit green.
Mr. Wilson
August 9, 2012 at 10:49PM
As long as you keep the lawn alive—most sources say keeping 1/2” per week on it will do that—there should be no ill effects. If you let your lawn weaken by not giving it enough water, you’ll face patchiness and extra weeds. If you let it die by starving it of water for several weeks, you may have to start over.
Fletch
August 10, 2012 at 4:37AM
I think that sounds about right. Several neighbors on my street made a pact to shut their systems off completely. One of the neighbors asked Campbell’s, and they said we shouldn’t let them completely go, particualarly those with fescue lawns (which is most of my street). I think maybe 1 to 2 waterings to just give them a little drink each week would be okay.
Beyond that, I think it is not a bad idea to be sure to give your trees, at least younger trees, some water even if you stop watering the grass.
Fletch
August 10, 2012 at 4:45AM
I will also add that I think it’s dumb that these restrictions are for residential users. Mo reason that businesses or government users shouldn’t follow the same restrictions.
If your lawn turns brown (at least to a degree), I think it shows civic pride and concern. It would not make me less inclined to bank with you (coughcough WEST GATE BANK at Hwy 2 and Old Cheney) coughcough), shop at your store, or eat at your restaurant.
One last note ... I read a lot of people who seem to not approve of watering lawns whatsoever. However, grass and plants are living things and do provide a useful purpose. I think they can be strained without being killed off.
But washing cars? Not so useful. You may sacrifice a mile per gallon due to reduced aerodynamics, but keeping a car spotless in these times is pretty vain and not very necessary.
Fletch
August 10, 2012 at 4:46AM
* No reason, that is.
Nikkidemas
August 10, 2012 at 2:22PM
Water restrictions and gas prices are two things that all Lincolnites except me seem to get fired up about.
I will continue to never water my brown crunchy lawn.
I will continue to buy gas when my tank is getting empty.
Comments
See what your friends and neighbors have to say about this.
So, here are my issues with the restrictions.
I currently have my watering system set to water every 3rd day. For the sake of argument let’s assume that I watered on Aug 1. This would result in watering 11 days in August. If I were to follow the “mandatory” schedule I would water 14 times. Net result is that I save more water now. Of the 11 days that I would water, 5 of those days would fall on the “mandatory” scheduled days.
While I fully understand the rationale behind the “mandatory” schedule I am a bit perplexed by the potential of being fined for consuming less water than is required by this “mandatory” schedule.
Can anyone help me understand?
It’s about simplicity. Do you *really* want LPD snooping around everybody’s sprinkler systems to verify that they’re programmed correctly? Of course not. But without them doing that there is no way for them to know that your wrong day watering habits are, in fact, more eco-friendly than strictly following the watering schedule.
As for your present watering schedule, I implore you to water your lawn less. There is no socially-responsible reason to put more than about 1/2 inch of water per week on your lawn. We’re in the midst of a fairly impressive drought. Beyond maintaining basic lawn health, what reason have you to turn on your sprinklers? Anything beyond the minimum necessary is little more than selfishness at this point.
Where does the request to water new City trees fall under these guidelines?
Simply a facetious query here.
On a more serious note. Does anyone have two cents to chip in on what will happen to the grass next spring? Neither of my thumbs are the slightest bit green.
As long as you keep the lawn alive—most sources say keeping 1/2” per week on it will do that—there should be no ill effects. If you let your lawn weaken by not giving it enough water, you’ll face patchiness and extra weeds. If you let it die by starving it of water for several weeks, you may have to start over.
I think that sounds about right. Several neighbors on my street made a pact to shut their systems off completely. One of the neighbors asked Campbell’s, and they said we shouldn’t let them completely go, particualarly those with fescue lawns (which is most of my street). I think maybe 1 to 2 waterings to just give them a little drink each week would be okay.
Beyond that, I think it is not a bad idea to be sure to give your trees, at least younger trees, some water even if you stop watering the grass.
I will also add that I think it’s dumb that these restrictions are for residential users. Mo reason that businesses or government users shouldn’t follow the same restrictions.
If your lawn turns brown (at least to a degree), I think it shows civic pride and concern. It would not make me less inclined to bank with you (coughcough WEST GATE BANK at Hwy 2 and Old Cheney) coughcough), shop at your store, or eat at your restaurant.
One last note ... I read a lot of people who seem to not approve of watering lawns whatsoever. However, grass and plants are living things and do provide a useful purpose. I think they can be strained without being killed off.
But washing cars? Not so useful. You may sacrifice a mile per gallon due to reduced aerodynamics, but keeping a car spotless in these times is pretty vain and not very necessary.
* No reason, that is.
Water restrictions and gas prices are two things that all Lincolnites except me seem to get fired up about.
I will continue to never water my brown crunchy lawn.
I will continue to buy gas when my tank is getting empty.
Share your thoughts with the community.
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