Wichita Escalates to Stage 2 Drought Response

Wichita's City Manager, Robert Layton, has declared that the city is moving to Stage 2 of its drought response plan. This change comes after levels at Cheney Reservoir fell below the 12-month average conservation pool water level trigger of 69% full in July. The new restrictions aim to reduce the city's water usage by 10% during the prime irrigation season.

From August 5th, all Wichita water customers, including residential, businesses, wholesale, and commercial users, will be restricted to watering their lawns only once a week according to their location. The schedule is as follows: Monday for those northwest of Central and Broadway, Tuesday for those northeast of Central and Broadway, Wednesday for those southwest of Central and Broadway, and Thursday for those southeast of Central and Broadway. No outdoor watering will be permitted on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

There are certain exemptions for businesses that rely heavily on water usage, such as nurseries, hospitals, and car washes. Wichita Public Works staff will be keeping an eye on accounts with excessive water usage, sending warning letters to habitual over-consumers. Repeated violations will result in fines starting at $50 and increasing to $100 for each subsequent offense.

Residents who utilize well water or have well water for irrigation are encouraged to continue conserving water but are not subject to these new restrictions. Additionally, both residential and commercial food gardens are exempt from these outdoor watering limitations.

These measures will initially be in place for two months, but the city will monitor water levels and may extend the restrictions if necessary. The goal is to move past the peak irrigation season and more effectively manage water resources. Voluntary water reductions by the city were enacted earlier in 2023. The city will discuss moving to Stage 3 should Cheney Reservoir levels decline further, reaching a 12-month average of below 50%.

To encourage further water conservation, the city provides several useful water-saving tips. Checking for leaks in irrigation systems, adjusting watering schedules, and using drought-resistant plants or mulches are just some of the strategies recommended.

The city of Wichita is calling on all residents and businesses to take these measures seriously. By working together and conserving water, the city can manage its resources more effectively and navigate through the challenging drought conditions that lie ahead.