Thank you for your past practices and efforts to conserve our water supply.

The City of Merced Water Conservation Ordinance is in effect year-round. We are requesting your cooperation in continuing to follow the water schedule. Click here to see the Watering Schedule.

You may water your lawns and shrubs according to your street address (ODD – 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9; EVEN – 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8). ODD #'s on Sunday, Wednesday & Friday, EVEN #'s on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. On your days, water only in the morning before 11 AM or in the evening after 7 PM.

NO MIDDAY WATERING.

WATERING IS NOT ALLOWED ON MONDAY

In addition to the “ODD/EVEN” watering schedule, certain other uses are prohibited as follows:

· Washing of sidewalks, driveways, porches or other outdoor surfaces, except when necessary to protect public health and safety; however, buildings may be washed down once a year.

· Operation of any ornamental fountain unless it uses a re-circulating water system.

· The washing of boats, motor homes, or automobiles and trucks with a hose that is not fitted with an automatic shut-off device.

· The indiscriminate running or wasting of water, EXAMPLE: Excessive irrigation causing runoff and flooding.

· Allowing broken or defective plumbing or irrigation systems which permit the escape or leakage of water.

Should you have any questions, or would like additional information, please contact Public Works Administration at #385-6800.

HELPFUL WATER CONSERVATION SUGGESTIONS:

* Water your lawn only when needed, three times a week on your watering days late at night or early in the morning to keep evaporation to a minimum.

* Check your sprinkler timers and reduce watering times to less than 10-15 minutes.

* Apply a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce moisture loss and prevent excessive weed growth

* Use a broom to sweep outdoors.

* Ask your local nursery for suggestions on drought tolerant plants. They do not need to be watered as much and can survive a dry period without any watering.

* Check your sprinkler heads, valves and drip emitters monthly for leaks and make sure the sprinkler heads are aimed properly.

* Check for other household leaks. Leaks allow water and your money to go down the drain. To help detect hidden leaks, turn off anything that uses water and see if your water meter is still moving. If it is, there could be a leak somewhere on your property.

*Install low-flow shower heads, kitchen & bath faucet aerators.

* Adjust your watering schedule for each season. In fall, you can reduce your watering by half. By December, you can turn off your irrigation system completely.

* If you notice someone wasting water, call the Public Works Department at 385-6800 to report it or click on this e-mail link to send us a note, publicwks@cityofmerced.org. In your e-mail include time of day, date, and address of location of water wasting.

* Water Conservation helps save resources and your money!