Despite a little rain relief last week, Fruitvale remains at Level 2 watering restrictions.
Although rain is welcome for the dry forests, it doesn't necessarily increase our supply for long, says Lila Cresswell, the village's chief administrative officer.
During the summer, Fruitvale services two thirds of the municipality by the Kelly Creek Water Treatment Plant and the other third, by wells.
“We appreciate our residents being diligent with irrigation over the summer,” said Cresswell. “And limiting unnecessary water use wherever possible.”
That said, water restrictions aren't simply about the supply.
“The more water that is used, the more treatment costs, and of course energy costs,” she explained. “So conservation is also about service costs, not only water availability.”
Fruitvale residents are allowed one sprinkler per house on between 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on designated days.
Underground sprinklers are permitted to run between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. in 20 minute intervals per zone.
The village also requests sprinklers be used strictly on lawn and garden, and citizens refrain from hosing roads and sidewalks.