2023 OUTDOOR IRRIGATION SEASON DECLARED TO START MAY 18
PULLMAN, WA — In accordance with the newly established
Pullman City Code Chapter 10B for Water Conservation, the annual Outdoor Irrigation Season is defined as June 1 through September 30, unless declared otherwise by the Public Works Director or their designee. Outside of this time frame, outdoor irrigation is prohibited.
City staff evaluated soil conditions and forecasted weather, including temperatures and precipitation, and determined an early start date for this year would be in order. In response, Mayor Glenn A. Johnson, as designee of the Public Works Director, declares Thursday, May 18 as the beginning of the 2023 Outdoor Irrigation Season.
The Water Conservation Code permits a maximum watering frequency of up to three days per week based on even and odd address numbering:
- Even addresses may irrigate within the window of Tuesday, Thursday, and/or Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. and ending the following day at 10 a.m.
- Odd addresses may irrigate within the window of Wednesday, Friday, and/or Sunday beginning at 6 p.m. and ending the following day at 10 a.m.
- Outdoor irrigation is prohibited between the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on any day regardless of address.
City Council has taken these measures to help slow the depletion of the Grande Ronde aquifer, the City’s sole drinking water supply source. Nearly one-third of the total water used each year in Pullman is attributable to outdoor use, primarily landscape irrigation. As such, reducing water use during the summer months for irrigation purposes is a primary goal of staff and City Council and is consistent with regional efforts and goals identified by the
Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee. The new water conservation code is an additional tool that encourages the public to reduce summertime irrigation, added alongside an established tiered water rate structure and robust education program. These measures are for the city operated system, Washington State University operates their own water system.
If a resident wishes to water outside of the declared Outdoor Irrigation Season or Schedule, handheld watering is always permitted when an individual is present. Information on exemptions to the Water Conservation regulations can be found in
Pullman City Code Chapter 10B.05.040.
The City of Pullman is focused on education and empowerment first and foremost by working closely with our community to help everyone understand these Outdoor Irrigation requirements. Additional information is available at
www.pullmanconserves.com.
Media Contact
Cristin Reisenauer
Admin. Specialist Maintenance & Operations
[email protected]
(509) 338-3242