Water law-abiders wantedOur view

Water law-abiders wanted

Our view

Not everyone in Havre is complying with the city of Havre's watering restrictions, and that's unfortunate.

People may not see the need for water restrictions anymore since Fresno Reservoir, thanks to a late-season storm, is full for the first time since 1997. But the fact is that we live in a dry area, even in relatively wet years.

We also should not forget that we're still living with the effects of four years of drought and that a very hot summer is still in our future.

Conservation of a limited and valuable resource like water is a good idea. The city rules are designed to get people to water when that water will be most efficiently used not during the heat of day when it's more likely to evaporate. Also, lawns don't need to be watered every day. Following the city regulations of even-odd watering keeps us from wasting water on our grass and gardens.

The regulations have proven confusing to many people and difficult to remember, so we're printing them here again:

People who live on the even-numbered side of the street can water outdoors on Tuesday nights, Thursday nights and Saturday nights, starting at 8 p.m. and running through 10 a.m. the following morning.

People who live in the odd-numbered side of the street can water on Wednesday nights, Friday nights and Sunday nights, starting at 8 p.m through 10 a.m. the following morning.

No watering is allowed on Mondays. That means that no one can water between 10 a.m. on Monday and 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Havre Daily News also publishes a notice about who can water next to the index at the bottom of the front page every day.

There really are no penalties for not following the rules. There is no fine. The city can shut off your water if you violate the rules, but the city doesn't have any plans to do that.

What you gain is acknowledgement from your neighbors that you're willing to do your part to make the best possible use of the water we have.