Carson restricts watering

Summer water restrictions are in effect since June 1 for Carson City. The watering schedule is three days per week with the last number of your address determining your odd or even status. Odd watering days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Even watering days are Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. There is no watering on Mondays to allow the wells to recharge. There is no watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Please never waste water by letting it run down the sidewalk into the gutter or street. This is a violation of the Municipal Code Ordinance. These restrictions are in place until Sept. 30.

Some exceptions are hand watering is allowed when flowers, shrubs and vegetables need a little extra, but not during the 10 a.m.-to-6-p.m. period or when it is windy. New lawns may be watered more frequently than three days per week for 21 days from planting or installation. Vegetable gardens may be watered as they need it as long as no water runs off. Carson City licensed commercial gardeners or caretakers may water outside of the allowed hours as long as they are on-site at the time watering is taking place. Other exemptions can be applied for at the public works water office by calling 887-2355 extension 30397 or visiting 3505 Butti Way. Complexes may file for and receive approval of an irrigation plan to allow watering outside the normal schedule. Accommodations for the handicapped or disabled are also available.

Here's some information to put irrigating in perspective. A drip system with a 1-gallon-per-hour emitter puts out only 1 quart of water in 15 minutes. Depending on the size of the emitter, a drip system can apply from one-half to 10 gallons per hour. You must run your drip system long enough for the water to penetrate deeply around the entire base of the plant. A garden hose running two to three seconds applies one quart of water and can deliver 4-6 gallons per minute. Bubbler heads can deliver from one-half to 2 gallons per minute.

So, if you wanted to apply 47 gallons of water it would take 47 hours with a one-gallon emitter; 24 minutes with a two-gallon per minute bubbler; or eight minutes with a garden hose. Think of all the water you could waste, if you leave a hose running! Every drop counts. Be water-smart.

JoAnne Skelly is the Carson City/Storey County Extension educator for University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and may be reached at skellyj@unce.unr.edu or 887-2252.