Sylvania residents ordered to restrict water usage

7/1/2011

Sylvania officials on Friday afternoon imposed mandatory restrictions on water use until Aug. 1.

Consumption of water indoors is unaffected, but water customers with odd-numbered addresses must irrigate their lawns and wash their vehicles on odd dates, and those with even-numbered addresses can do the same only on even dates, Kevin Aller, the city’s public service director, said.

The same restrictions have been in effect on a voluntary basis since June 20, when City Council was informed that Sylvania’s half-million gallon water tank was unable to keep up with demand.

“It’s been so hot that everybody’s using a lot of water. They’re watering their lawns and filling their pools, and the 500,000-gallon tank can’t keep up,” Mr. Aller said.

Hand-held hoses can be used to water gardens, as can watering cans. The restrictions apply to commercial, industrial, and institutional properties as well as residential.

Mr. Aller said that if water pressure dropped significantly, the city would have to issue a boil-water advisory. It was essential too, he added, that the city maintain an adequate reserve of water in case of an emergency, such as a large fire.

He said police and service department employees would enforce the new policy. First-time offenders will be given a warning. Repeat offenders could be issued citations.

The city has experienced this same problem in past years, but usually later in summer. A new 2 million-gallon tank, to be located at Fossil Park, will improve the situation once in service.