May 18, 2023 |
Photo – Rawlins Public Works – Bigfoot99 file photo
With warmer weather here, the City of Rawlins, this week, issued updated water usage restrictions for residents. On Tuesday, the City laid out the new rules for water use in a release. Public Works Director Cody Dill said residents may water their lawns three times a week at predetermined times of the day.
The new restrictions go into effect next Monday, May 22nd.
Thanks to winter’s higher-than-average snowfall, the new restrictions are more relaxed than last year. In 2022, residents were permitted to water their lawns only once a week.
To ensure the city has a stable supply of water, the long-dormant pretreatment plant was brought back online earlier in the month. When functioning properly, the plant will allow the city to pull water directly from the North Platte River.
Dill said the pre-treatment plant was being used to remove turbidity, or suspended dirt particles, from the spring water until it experienced a mechanical failure.
The pre-treatment plant has been offline since the failure. Dill said the springs are providing enough clean water on their own.
The Rawlins Public Works Director said he doesn’t know when the pre-treatment plant will be come back online. Dill said once the pre-treatment plant is repaired, the City will keep it on stand-by until it’s needed.
The City’s primary water source, Sage Creek Springs, is being filled by melting snow. Dill said the springs are producing an adequate amount water at the present time. He added that residents may water their gardens and ornamental plants as usual. Dill said the City is only limiting large-scale watering operations at this time.
Dill said the City will continue to adjust the water restrictions as the season progresses. The public works director said residents should use the available water before harsher restrictions are potentially put in place later in the summer.
Dill said the City’s Parks Department is under water restrictions as well. The City will alternate its watering schedule to fall on the days residents aren’t permitted to water their lawns. The Public Works Director said if and when future restrictions become necessary, the City will cut back on water usage before asking residents to follow suit.
