Opinion: Clearing up confusion on Wichita's water restrictions

According to the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) and the U.S. Drought Monitor, the Wichita Metro is currently in a status labeled 'D2', Severe Drought. As a result of the drought, Cheney Reservoir, the primary drinking water supply for Wichita, is more than seven feet below the normal lake level. Put another way, Cheney is about 60% full according to the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Photo byMarine SintesonUnsplash

To address the drought and water supply concerns, the City of Wichita enacted Stage 2 of its Drought Response Plan on August 5. That plan includes mandatory water restrictions, such as limiting outdoor watering to one day a week and on that day of watering (determined by location), watering before 10 am, or after 8 pm.

Some people are complaining about the Wichita water restrictions, claiming people are being "punished" for watering the grass on the wrong day, or after 10 am. Keep in mind, in addition to the Stage 2 Drought Response Guidelines (i.e., outside watering 1 day a week, a reasonable restriction by the way), the city of Wichita is monitoring usage and gallons used, with a goal of at least 10% reduced usage community-wide in mind. To those who are complaining, how else would you encourage conservation other than outside watering restricted to one day a week and on a specific day per quadrant? And how would you effectively enforce an alternate restriction?

Some folks might not know that other area communities get their water from Wichita, adding to the draw from Cheney Reservoir. Communities such as Derby, Valley Center, Bell Aire, and Rose Hill are also taking steps to conserve water.

So it's not like people are being "punished" for watering the grass, which frankly, grass should be allowed to go dormant during drought conditions anyway, it will grow back when conditions improve. Yes, warnings have been issued to some businesses and people who aren't taking water restrictions seriously, but at this point, it's an education thing that's going on, as in, you live in southeast Wichita, and your watering day is Thursday, not Monday. Fines come later, with continued ignorance or willful disregard of the restrictions.

Those who are complaining would be wise to realize that if the conservation pool level at Cheney Reservoir drops below 50%, Stage 3 of the Drought Response Plan will be enacted. That means even tighter water restrictions.

Hopefully, the combination of water conservation and some kindness from Mother Nature will lift us out of Stage 2 water restrictions very soon. Otherwise, we're in this together for about two months, until irrigation season is over and when city officials will reevaluate.

$pend Wisely My Friends...

~ Mike