The Gorgoza Water Company, which serves the Pinebrook area of Summit County, announced mandatory watering restrictions for its customers as of Monday, July 12.
Gorgoza joins other major water distributors in the Snyderville Basin that are limiting outdoor watering due to the drought.
Gorgoza’s announcement Monday said that, due to the current extreme drought and a possible long-term drought cycle, the company will now require even-numbered addresses to water on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and odd numbers on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, all at night. Watering is prohibited on Sundays to allow wells to recharge.
Gorgoza is also strongly urging shareholders to voluntarily commit to watering just two days a week, especially if they are situated at higher elevations, north-facing slopes or heavily shaded lots.
The announcement said non-compliance could result in financial penalties.
The private Summit Water Distribution Company has a mandatory schedule in place that began on Memorial Day and extends through Labor Day weekend.
Summit has divided the neighborhoods and residential areas it serves into three groups. One group will water on Monday and Thursday; a second on Tuesday and Friday; and the third on Wednesday and Saturday.
Details are available on Summit Water’s website.
Outdoor watering for Summit Water Company customers is allowed between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Meanwhile, Scott Morrison, the director of the Summit County’s Mountain Regional Water District, said their general rule during irrigation season has been for customers to water every other day. They advise users to follow the odd-even system.
He said watering is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Morrison said this summer, at the direction of the Weber Basin Water District, the county is recommending no more than two days a week of outdoor watering.
He added the county is taking a more active role in enforcing its regulations. Morrison said the county will issue a warning for the first violation, escalating up to a $500 fine for the fourth violation. Ultimately, the county could shut off the water if they deem it necessary to enforce compliance.
