The City of Lacombe is asking residents to conserve water by restricting the watering of lawns and gardens, in order to avoid water delivery challenges during periods of peak water demand.
“We ask Lacombians to conserve water so that they can meet their regular indoor water needs during the drier summer months,” said Corporate Services Director Michael Minchin. “We also want to ensure the municipality has adequate supply to support water requirements in case of an emergency.”
Watering your lawn less frequently will not damage or kill your lawn. In fact, over-watering can make your lawn weak and more susceptible to disease. Most lawns need about 25 mm (1 inch) of water per week, including rainfall. This is equal to just one hour of watering.
“Homeowners or occupants of even-numbered addresses (house numbers) are requested to water lawns and gardens only on even-numbered calendar dates,” said Utilities Manager Chris Huston. “Odd-numbered addresses are asked to water only on odd-numbered calendar dates. This watering conservation measure does not apply to newly-laid sod or plantings.”
Watering mid-day or in the afternoon can cause up to 50 percent of water to evaporate. To reduce evaporation, be sure to water when the sun is low or down, winds are calm and temperatures are cool – between the evening and early morning is best.
Residents can also help water conservation efforts by following the following tips:
• Use a rain barrel to collect rain water to water your plants and shrubs (rain barrels are available for sale at City Hall. Call 403-782-6666 for more information.
• Check your toilets for leaks
• Practice grass-cycling - mulch your lawn
If you have questions or concerns regarding the outdoor watering restrictions, please contact Infrastructure Services at 403-782-1261 or visit www.lacombe.ca/living/infrastructure-services.