An update posted on Francis City’s website late Thursday lifted the outdoor watering ban.
Until Thursday afternoon, no one in Francis or nearby Woodland Hills can water outdoors because the town’s water pumps haven’t been keeping up with demand.
A pump near Woodland Hills failed Sunday night, exacerbating the problem, but that pump was replaced Tuesday.
According to an update posted Wednesday, Francis has installed a temporary pump at its new, larger water tank. A more permanent pump is under construction, in addition to its main pump and the supplementary pump in Woodland Hills.
The third pump isn’t online yet.
“We have to pass two bacteria tests before we can put the temporary pump online,” the city’s statement said Wednesday.
The second test happened Wednesday night, and the city is awaiting both results.
"Outdoor watering is allowed. Thank you for your patience as we worked through this frustrating issue. The new pump is operational at Woodland Hills and the temporary pump for the new Francis is also online and operational since the test results for bacteria came back negative.
"We will resume our normal outdoor watering schedule:
-No watering between 10 am and 6 pm
-No watering on Sunday
-Watering may only be done on alternate days as follows:
Even numbered houses on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Odd numbered houses on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday."
— Francis City outdoor watering allowed, July 20, 2023
