While Decatur Utilities water treatment plant operations remain stable and source water levels in the Tennessee River are normal, the demand for potable water throughout its distribution system have reached an all-time seasonal high. The reason is three-fold: The month of June has produced a siege of unseasonable hot temperatures, rainfall has been non-existent since June 3, and the moisture level of the ground has dropped below the roots systems of most lawn grasses and landscape plants.

Thus, outdoor watering has become a daily routine at many households—just to keep plants from dying.

In response to weather conditions that have already caused a lot of damage and offer little or no hope for rain in the immediate future, HU has imposed a water conservation advisory. It limits lawn watering to three times a week between the non-peak demand hours of 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. In addition, outdoor watering at even numbered addresses should be done only on even numbered days and at odd numbered addresses on odd numbered days.

HU also advises water users to take note of the following tips as a means to conserve water:

• It takes 660 gallons of water to supply 1,000 sq. ft. of lawn with one inch of water. This is almost the same amount as your would use in the house in an entire week. As a general rule, established lawns do not need to be watered more often that once every five to seven days.

• Don’t allow sprinklers to water your street, driveway or sidewalk.

• During dry weather, raise the height of your mower so that you are cutting grass at the highest recommended height. A higher cut encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shade the root system and conserve moisture.

• Avoid over fertilizing your lawn, Fertilizer applications increase the need for water.

• Use mulch around trees and shrubs and in garden beds to retain moisture in the soil.

Do not use the hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk.

• Use a shut-off nozzle on your hose so that water flows only as needed.

• Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended.

• If you wash your car, park it on the grass and use hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.