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Moroni council tightens secondary-water schedule and flags drought concerns
Summary
Facing falling river flows and strains on wells, council discussed cutting irrigation hours, splitting the city's watering schedule, and revising billing. Members set a tentative schedule change for July 1 and instructed staff to advertise changes; they also raised the prospect of tightening restrictions again in July if conditions worsen.
City staff and council reviewed recent pumping totals and river flows, noting the system pumped more than 10 million gallons during the measurement period and that river contribution has dropped dramatically over the last week. The Chair framed the problem as urgent: "We're down to the company out of the well...I don't know if it will keep up with where we're at."
Councilors and staff proposed several conservation options: shorten daily watering hours, split the city into zones with staggered schedules, and tighten watering hours during hot days. One councilor summarized the trade-off: "If the water is there, it's going to get used," underscoring enforcement and conservation challenges when lines are charged.
The council discussed metering, potential base-rate increases for irrigation, and how impact fees and future infrastructure investments could alter long-term water management. Staff recommended trying a revised schedule beginning July 1 and to post billing and schedule changes to the public. Council members emphasized that the plan may need further tightening depending on river and well performance.
Why it matters: The changes affect all residents with secondary irrigation service and could alter when and how often lawns and gardens are watered this summer. The council tied the discussion to local public-safety concerns, noting dry vegetation and the need to discourage residential fireworks under drought conditions.
Next steps: Staff will advertise the new watering schedule and billing changes, monitor river and well performance through July, and return to council if further restrictions or rate changes are necessary.
Ending: Council members framed the schedule change as a trial that could be adjusted as hydrological conditions evolve.
