Voluntary Rock Valley Watering Restrictions Now In Effect

Date posted - July 18, 2012

Rock Valley, Iowa — You can add Rock Valley to the list of communities with watering restrictions.

The city of Rock Valley has enacted voluntary water restrictions for all customers, effective immediately. The City is shutting off all their irrigation systems and are requesting that their customers only water their yard a maximum of twice a week.

Voluntary water restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.

Rock Valley city officials say that water demands are currently well above normal, due to persistent drought conditions and above normal temperatures. The City has an ample supply of water for public health and emergency purposes, however the City is asking customers to be responsible stewards of our natural resources and participate in voluntary restrictions in an effort to control excessive water use and to eliminate the need for mandatory restrictions — which are in effect in a number of communities.

Customers are also reminded of these steps to make efficient use of watering any time, but especially during voluntary restrictions:

• Water at efficient times of the day to prevent evaporation due to heat and wind — that’s usually thought of as being between the hours of 8 PM and 8 AM — in other words when it’s dark, or just about. Check your sprinkler system timer and make adjustments as needed.
• Check sprinkler heads and adjust them as needed to keep water on your lawn, trees and shrubs, and keep it off the street, driveway, and sidewalk.
• Don’t leave manual sprinklers or running hoses unattended. If watering manually, use a kitchen timer to remind you to turn off the water.

They also suggest that you take shorter showers, not let the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or washing dishes by hand, and only run FULL loads of laundry and dishes.

They also advise Rock Valley residents that by conserving water, perhaps they can preserve the water supply and possibly avoid the need for mandatory restrictions.

For more information you can go to cityofrockvalley.com or call 476-5707.

Other water systems with watering restrictions in effect — that we know of — are Sioux Center, Hull, Rock Rapids, and the Lyon and Sioux Rural Water System.