The City of Shawnee Water conservation Plan Back to Water System Information Update Adopted on April 17, 2006

As Citizens of the City of Shawnee, we must be constantly aware of our water needs and that there are times when it is necessary to conserve water. Prudent use of this essential natural resource is the responsibility of every citizen. We must all take voluntary steps to conserve our water than this must be reinforced each summer when the need for water becomes the greatest.

Many people believe that the changes involved with water conservation will somehow diminish their lifestyle. Following are some actions that we can take individually to conserve and reduce our water needs and expense. Many are simple onetime adjustments. Others involve simple changes in habits:

• One can save about three gallons of water if the water is not allowed to run when brushing teeth or shaving.

• Low-flow devices placed in faucets and showers can save two to three gallons of water for each minute of use.

• Running the washing machine with a full load will save thirty gallons of water each time a small load was held.

• Prudent water of plants and lawns is another example. Watering during the heat of the day is wasteful and detrimental to lawns. Allowing water to run off lawns into the street not only wastes this precious resource, but causes pavement to deteriorate as well.

• For more tips read the Every Drop Counts Brochure in PDF format

Water conservation actions must be inherent in our daily lives with added emphasis during the summertime so that we voluntarily utilize only the potable water necessary for our daily needs.

In addition to the above voluntary conservations measures, the following is established as the conservation plan for the City of Shawnee as established:

"If a shortage occurs in the city water system, the city manager is authorized and directed to declare an emergency. The city manager is authorized to issue a proclamation proclaiming such an emergency and establishing the level of water usage restrictions as follows:

Level One: Residential, other than household purposes: outside water usage restricted to 7:01 p.m. to Midnight and Midnight to 8:00 a.m. with odd-numbered houses utilizing water on odd-numbered days and even-numbered houses utilizing water on even-numbered days. Commercial: exterior water usage restricted in same manner as residential use.

Level Two: Residential, other than household purposes: water usage restricted to 7:01 p.m. to Midnight and Midnight to 8:00 a.m.  on the odd-even system restriction with odd-number houses utilizing water on Monday and Thursday and even-numbered houses utilizing water on Tuesday and Friday during the above hours. Commercial: exterior water usage restricted in same manner as residential use.

Level Three:  Residential, other than household purposes: water usage restricted to 7:01 p.m. to Midnight and Midnight to 8:00 a.m.  on the odd-even system restriction with odd-number houses utilizing water on Monday and even-numbered houses utilizing water on Friday during the above hours. Commercial: users required to reduce water usage by ten percent (10%) as compared to the previous year's usage figures.

Level Four: Residential: there will be no usage authorized for other than household purposes. Outside water usage will be limited to water shrubs and young trees only, in accordance with best practices. Commercial/Government: users are required to reduce water usage by fifteen percent (15%) as compared to the previous year's usage figures. Other: lawn watering, refilling or adding water to public and private swimming pools and automobile washing are forbidden (except for commercial vehicle wash facilities which will adhere to the fifteen (15%) reduction of total use.

This plan is not designed to place any individual or firm under any undue hardship but rather to ensure that the City of Shawnee has water for domestic uses available throughout the year to its citizens. It is hoped that no more than steps one or two would ever be required. It is necessary, however, to have a plan in place that will permit everyone to be aware of the necessary precautions to ensure that water for domestic use is available in the City of Shawnee.