The City of Lincoln Tuesday announced that voluntary water conservation efforts will end on Thursday, August 31. Voluntary water conservation is the first and least restrictive phase of the City’s water management plan, which was enacted June 2 to conserve water due to extreme drought conditions in Lancaster County.
“We would like to give our deepest appreciation and thanks to the Lincoln community for reducing your outdoor water use throughout the summer,” said Liz Elliott, Director of Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU). “A combination of your conservation efforts and well-timed rain in July were key to maintaining voluntary water conservation in Lincoln.”
Through June, July, and August, the City urged residents and businesses to water their lawns only when their grass needed it and on designated days based on the property’s address. Elliott said voluntary water conservation efforts helped safeguard Lincoln’s water supply for essential needs including bathing, cooking, fire protection, health services, waste removal, and business and industrial uses.
Lincoln’s water supply is now at a level typical for this time of year, said Steve Owen, Lincoln Water System Superintendent of Water Production and Treatment. Lowering water use with voluntary conservation measures during the peak summer months was especially helpful in maintaining sufficient supply, he said.
Owen said Lincoln experienced exceptional drought conditions this summer for the first time in the city’s history. He said data shows Lincoln residents used less water this summer than in 2012 – during the city’s last voluntary and mandatory water conservation efforts enacted due to drought conditions.
For more information on Lincoln’s voluntary water conservation efforts and how to conserve water, visit lincoln.ne.gov/waterconservation.