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Norton mayor issues immediate outdoor water-use restrictions; council approves
Summary
Mayor Dale Jacobson issued an executive order imposing outdoor watering limits effective 8 a.m. on 2026-05-21 because of extreme drought; the council approved the order by voice vote and the mayor signed it.
Mayor Dale Jacobson read an executive order Monday imposing outdoor water-use restrictions for Norton, effective 8 a.m. on 05/21/2026, citing local code and drought conditions.
“I, Dale Jacobson, mayor hereby issue this executive orders, the restriction of water usage for all water customers,” Jacobson read aloud, directing that the restrictions begin at 8 a.m. on 05/21/2026 as allowed under Norton City Code. The order cites local code provisions and says outdoor watering with potable water is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day and generally limited to every other day by even/odd address designations.
The order includes exemptions and a permit process: potted plants may be hand-watered daily during permitted hours; certain businesses such as car washes and nurseries are exempt; private well owners may apply for and post a private well permit. The order also specifies that violations may result in a $25-per-day assessment beginning May 2026.
A council member moved to approve the executive order; after a second, the council approved the order by voice vote and Jacobson signed it during the meeting.
The measure is framed as an immediate conservation step amid “extreme drought conditions affecting Northwest Kansas,” according to Jacobson. Council members said they will follow up through the utilities committee and staff reports to monitor compliance and water usage.
