Some facts for you to consider:

Did you know that in the Summer of 2005 between 3.5 and 5 million gallons of water were used outdoors, primarily for lawn watering, by North Kingstown water customers on a daily basis!  This is more than the annual average daily usage!

Our water comes from wells and in the hot, dry days of summer all the wells are pumping 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  In July and August 2005 water use exceeded our maximum pumping capacity on numerous days.  There is no way to increase the amount of water being supplied, so when water demand exceeds our pumping capacity, storage tank levels drop severely compromising the Town’s ability to fight fires and resulting in reduced pressure that could result in contamination.   Maintaining adequate flow and pressure for public health and safety is a critical concern.

 Consider the impact on the environment.  Water withdrawn from wells reduces the amount of water in our surface water bodies.  There is currently focus on the Hunt River and a concern that the stream levels during the summer months are not adequate to be protective of the aquatic environment.  Residential outdoor water use during the summer months is considered to be a primary cause of reduced river flow.  There has been discussion on the state level of establishing standards and limiting pumping when streams reach critical levels.   This would force additional restrictions on outdoor water use.

 While our current Town ordinance allows lawn irrigation every other day (odd numbered calendar days if you have an odd numbered address and even numbered calendar days if you have an even numbered address), it appears that this has actually increased summer usage because customers set their sprinklers to go on every other day regardless of whether their lawns and gardens need the water.

 The North Kingstown Water Department has been working with the RI Water Resources Board, the URI Cooperative Extension Healthy Landscapes Program and the Southern RI Conservation District to reduce summer water use and promote the wise use of our water resources.  We offer the following tips:

 1. Take control of your controller!  If you have an automatic sprinkler learn how to use the controller so you can manage your water use.

 2. Use a rain gauge.  We encourage you to monitor how much water you use watering your lawn, water only when needed and to turn off your sprinklers when it’s raining!  

 3. Water deeply and less often.  We recommend once a week and one (1) inch at the most.

 4. Water at the right time of day.  Water before 9:00 AM when loss to evaporation will be at a minimum.
 

5. Use the right kind of sprinkler. Sprinklers should shoot low to the ground to avoid losing most of the water to evaporation and wind drift before it ever hits the lawn.

USE WATER WISELY

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION

Water conservation is the best way for you to do your part in protecting the most valuable natural resource - pure drinking water.  For more information on ways to conserve water, and thus reduce your water bills, click on one of the links below or contact the water department at 294-3331.

Water Conservation tips during times of drought

Testing your home for water leaks