Resident urges stronger communication and possible restrictions after seeing daytime watering

At the June 1 meeting, resident Maxine Smith asked whether the city had analyzed snowpack allocations and whether it planned to adopt or enforce watering restrictions after she observed frequent daytime watering — including watering at the cemetery and sprinklers running during midday.

Smith said the city had told residents secondary water would not be used until mid‑May this year but she saw watering as early as mid‑May and continuing during daytime hours. She said daytime watering can increase loss (she cited 35–50% loss when watering in daylight) and asked whether residents would have enough water for pastures or face increased fire hazard.

Smith asked, “Are you going to put any [restrictions] in place and will there be any enforcement?” and added, “My concern is, am I going to have water for my pastures? Are they going to be a fire hazard?”

Council members and staff thanked Smith for raising the concerns and said the city prefers education over immediate penalties; staff said they are monitoring snowpack and river/system conditions and encouraged residents to adopt a conservation mindset. At the time of the meeting officials said there were no watering penalties in effect and recommended that staff provide information to residents about preferred watering times (nighttime or early morning) and conservation practices.

No formal drought restrictions or enforcement actions were announced at the meeting; staff said they would continue to monitor statewide snowpack and local system conditions and provide updates to the public as warranted.