×
×
homepage logo
SUBSCRIBE

Additional water restrictions in effect in Ogden due to drought

By Deborah Wilber - | Sep 15, 2021

Deborah Wilber, Standard-Examiner

Cars pass by the extended shoreline of Pineview Reservoir on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021.

OGDEN — In an effort to preserve water for the upcoming year following the early shutoff of secondary water systems, Ogden City on Wednesday issued an administrative order restricting culinary water usage.

Pineview Reservoir, Ogden’s primary water source, dropped below 16% of capacity this week further adding to an ongoing drought caused by climatic conditions, according to a city press release announcing the new water restrictions. Randy Wearly and Jesse Garner, who were enjoying the reservoir Wednesday, said they have been jigging at Pineview for seven years, and in this time they have seen less and less water and more people.

Ogden City Water Manager Brady Herd declared a moderate water shortage on June 4 due to drought conditions.

According to Mayor Mike Caldwell, repairs made to water pipelines and service lines this year have saved millions of gallons of water. However, there still remains a need for residents to conserve water, he said in the release.

Ogden City has approximately 24,000 connections to culinary water. A page on the city website calculates that 7,440,000 gallons of water could be saved each month if every household reduced its water usage by 10 gallons per day.

Deborah Wilber, Standard-Examiner

A green lawn is visible outside a home in Ogden on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021.

Public Services Deputy Director Justin Anderson is thankful to those who have taken steps to eliminate wasteful water practices. “We appreciate them,” he said.

All Ogden residents are required to follow the water shortage plan as follows:

  • Water from the city’s culinary system may not be used to irrigate lawns or drought-tolerant plants after Oct. 1.
  • Outdoor watering is limited to two days a week.
  • No outdoor watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
  • Use of culinary water for routine hard surface washing of concrete or asphalt, such as patios, driveways and sidewalks is prohibited.
  • When possible, delay the installation of new landscapes until spring of 2022.
  • The use of culinary water used by institutional customers for outdoor watering of landscapes serving the general public may continue through the normal irrigation period with reasonable amounts of water based on the vegetative needs of the material being irrigated. These customers include parks, golf courses, cemeteries, schools, colleges and universities.
  • Violations of this Order may result in civil penalties, termination of water service, or Class B criminal penalties as provided by Ogden City municipal code.

Newsletter

Join thousands already receiving our daily newsletter.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)