Nevada Irrigation District enacts mandatory water restrictions

As a dry, hot summer is upon us and drought grips our community, the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) has found it necessary to mandate water-use restrictions. This will help minimize water supply shortage impacts and protect public health, the District’s Board of Directors determined during a July 1 special meeting.

Directors approved a mandatory 20 percent water-use reduction for both raw and treated water customers among other actions throughout the District. The new rules – from NID’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan – will go into effect immediately.

What does this mean for customers?

Treated Water Customers

• Mandatory water usage reduction of 20 percent
• Limited outdoor watering to three days per week
• Watering shall be limited to early morning (before 10 AM) and late evening (after 9 PM)
• No runoff from any watering
• Drought Stage 2 pricing (25 percent increase on volumetric consumption)

Raw Water Customers

• Outdoor irrigation of landscape shall be limited to three days per week
• Water shall be limited to early morning (before 10 AM) and late evening (after 9 PM)
• No runoff from irrigation
• No new or increased water sales
• No fall water sales
• Limit winter sales to existing customers at existing purchase volumes
• Drought Stage 2 pricing (20 percent increase in volumetric). Increases for summer water will be prorated from July 1, 2021 through the end of the irrigation season on October 14, 2021.
• Landscape customers must limit watering to three days a week

Raw water customers who request a reduction, or who voluntarily forego water delivery during the 2021 irrigation season, will maintain their priority of service once the drought emergency has been lifted by the Board of Directors.

The drought pricing is per the District’s schedule of fees, equating for most customers to an approximate 25 percent increase in the volumetric rate. NID’s Operations Manager Chip Close said because it is based on volumetric consumption, “the less you use, the less you pay.”

The District also will impose Water Wise practices by restricting the following:

• No runoff allowed onto adjacent property, walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures
• No car washing except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle
• No runoff on or hosing down driveways or sidewalks
• No water in a fountain or other decorative water feature, except where the water is part of a recirculating system
• No watering of landscapes during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall
• Drinking water only upon request at public places where food or drinks are served
• No irrigation of ornamental turf on public street medians.

“Increased water conservation is necessary to protect local water supplies now, and ensure we have enough water if the drought extends into next year,” Close said. “The July 1 resolution was necessary to conserve supplies, but also to preserve the health and safety of the customers of the District.”

Read the entire resolution at nidwater.com.