Voluntary Water Conservation Efforts Now in Effect

Published on June 05, 2023

City of Lincoln voluntary water conservation efforts are now in effect. Voluntary water conservation is the first phase of the City’s Water Management Plan, which emphasizes outdoor water conservation as the primary management tool.

Dry conditions have depleted the aquifer that supplies Lincoln’s wellfield to only 65% of its capacity. Additionally, the Platte River flow is at its lowest since 1956. The first phase of the water management plan focuses on reducing outdoor water use because nearly two-thirds of the water Lincoln produces in the summer is used for watering grass and other outdoor purposes.

Residents are asked to voluntarily follow the recommended schedule for outdoor uses such as watering lawns and washing vehicles. The water use schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday – Single family households and duplexes with addresses ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7, 9)

• Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday – Single family households and duplexes with addresses ending in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6, 8)

• Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday – All other property types regardless of address. This includes multi-family residential, commercial, business, office, industrial, governmental, townhomes with common irrigation systems, and medians and rights of way not association with an address.

Those with automatic sprinkler systems are encouraged to water only when needed on designated watering days. Property owners with more than one street address at the same location can choose either daily schedule and notify the Lincoln Water System of their decision.

The City recommends residents and businesses consider watering just one to two days per week and discourages property owners from watering all three designated days.

In addition to limiting outdoor watering to one to two times per week, additional water conservation tips include:

• Water during the early morning hours to avoid evaporation.
• Check sprinkler systems for leaks.
• Increase mowing height to help keep moisture in your lawn’s soil.
• Adjust sprinklers to water only the lawn, and not the sidewalk or street.
• Use mulch to limit evaporation and retain moisture in the soil.
• Plant drought-resistant shrubs and flowers that require less water.

The last time Lincoln issued voluntary and mandatory water restrictions was when the City’s wellfield at the Platte River was damaged by flooding in 2019. The last time Lincoln issued drought-related voluntary and mandatory water restrictions was in 2002 and 2012.

For more information on Lincoln’s voluntary water conservation efforts and how to conserve water, visit lincoln.ne.gov/waterconservation. Lincoln Water System also provides water conservation information at 402-441-1212 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.