Wichita to implement permanent outdoor watering schedule; Town Hall set for Sept. 8

Mayor announced a new permanent Waterwise Conservation Plan that the city will implement for Wichita Water customers and invited residents to a Town Hall where staff will explain the ordinance and answer questions. "If you have questions about the new permanent Waterwise Conservation Plan, we invite you to attend next week's Town Hall," the mayor said.

The mayor introduced Public Works Director Gary Hanson as the official who will go over the new ordinance and how it will save water. The briefing set the implementation window "later this month" and identified an effective date for the watering schedule as Sept. 15. The mayor and presentation materials said the schedule will assign watering days by street address: odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday; even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; and no watering will be allowed on Mondays. Residents were directed to savewichitawater.com for more information and to the Town Hall at City Hall on Monday at 6 p.m.

The change is framed as the city's long-term water-conservation policy rather than a temporary restriction. The mayor stressed staff will answer "some of the most frequent questions we get on water conservation and Wichita's water supply" during the Town Hall and noted public works will present the ordinance's expected water savings and implementation details. No vote or council action took place during the briefing; the mayor said staff and Public Works Director Gary Hanson will present the ordinance at the Town Hall for public information.

The next step is the Town Hall on Monday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at City Hall and the stated implementation of the new watering schedule later in the month (Sept. 15 per briefing materials).