Lawn Watering Schedule
Beginning in 2008, with the passing of Resolution #63-08, the City of Sioux Falls has implemented a year-round lawn watering schedule.
The watering schedule is determined by the flow of the Big Sioux River as measured by the USGS Monitoring Station located near Dell Rapids, SD.
There are 4 stages of scheduling. The following explanations will help you to understand the 4 levels of water scheduling, and times when you have the opportunity to water.
In effect when the river flow is above 50 cubic feet per second
LAWN WATERING for all residential, commercial, industrial, and City facilities with an irrigation system or sprinkler will use the following schedule:
- Consumers having even-numbered addresses may water on even-numbered calendar dates and consumers having odd-numbered addresses may water on odd-numbered calendar dates. Additionally, consumers are further prohibited from lawn watering between the hours of 12 noon and 5 PM. These are year-round restrictions.
- Permits for newly established lawns may be granted. Contact Public Works for permit information
WATER WASTE IS PROHIBITED at all times. Allowing water to run into a gutter, ditch, or drain, or failing to repair a controllable leak is considered water waste.
HAND WATERING OF VEGETATION such as shrubbery, trees, ground covers, plants, vines, gardens, vegetables, and flowers is permitted any time of day.
WASHING VEHICLES AT A RESIDENCE is permitted any time. Use of an automatic shut off nozzle or bucket of 5 gallons or less is recommended to prevent water waste.
THE USE OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WASH facilities is permitted any day.
In effect when the river flow drops below 50 cubic feet per second
LAWN WATERING for all residential, commercial, industrial, and City facilities with an irrigation system or sprinkler will use the following schedule:
- May water only one day during each week following the schedule as dictated by the City Public Works Department. Lawn watering is prohibited during the hours of Noon to 5 PM daily.
- Permits for newly planted landscapes will be allowed. Contact Public Works for permit information
WATER WASTE IS PROHIBITED at all times. Allowing water to run into a gutter, ditch, or drain, or failing to repair a controllable leak is considered water waste.
HAND WATERING OF VEGETATION such as shrubbery, trees, ground covers, plants, vines, gardens, vegetables, and flowers is permitted any time of day.
WASHING VEHICLES OR OTHER EQUIPMENT AT A RESIDENCE is permitted any time. Use of an automatic shut off nozzle or bucket of 5 gallons or less is recommended to prevent water waste.
THE USE OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WASH facilities is permitted any day.
WASHING OUTDOOR SURFACES such as parking lots, driveways, streets, or sidewalks is prohibited unless necessary for the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
In effect when the river flow drops below 20 cubic feet per second
LAWN WATERING for all residential, commercial, industrial, and City facilities with an irrigation system or sprinkler will use the following schedule:
- All landscape watering is prohibited.
- No permits for newly established lawns will be granted.
WATER WASTE IS PROHIBITED at all times. Allowing water to run into a gutter, ditch, or drain, or failing to repair a controllable leak is considered water waste.
HAND WATERING OF VEGETATION such as shrubbery, trees, ground covers, plants, vines, gardens, vegetables, and flowers is permitted any time of day if the water is applied by a bucket no larger than 5 gallons or by a hose that does not leak and is equipped with a hand-held nozzle that automatically shuts off when released. All watering authorized herein should be the minimum amount of water necessary and where no puddling or runoff of water will occur.
WASHING VEHICLES OR OTHER EQUIPMENT AT A RESIDENCE is prohibited.
THE USE OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WASH facilities is permitted any day.
WASHING OUTDOOR SURFACES such as parking lots, driveways, streets, or sidewalks is prohibited unless necessary for the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
THE USE OF WATER TO WASH DOWN BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES other than preparation for painting or immediate fire protection is prohibited.
USE OF ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS, WATERFALLS, PONDS or other aesthetic water features—outdoors or indoors—is prohibited unless the fountain is necessary to support aquatic life or where the fountain or pond is equipped with a recirculation system.
WATER RUNOFF onto streets is prohibited.
In effect when the river flow drops to 0 cubic feet per second
LAWN AND LANDSCAPE WATERING for residential, commercial, industrial, and City facilities with an irrigation system or sprinkler will use the following schedule:
- All outdoor water use is prohibited.
- No permits for newly established lawns will be granted.
WATER WASTE IS PROHIBITED at all times. Allowing water to run into a gutter, ditch, or drain, or failing to repair a controllable leak is considered water waste.
HAND WATERING OF VEGETATION such as shrubbery, trees, ground covers, plants, vines, gardens, vegetables, and flowers is prohibited.
YOU SHOULD REDUCE WATER CONSUMPTION by any means available.
WASHING VEHICLES OR OTHER EQUIPMENT AT RESIDENCES OR COMMERCIAL FACILITIES is prohibited unless necessary for the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
WASHING OUTDOOR SURFACES such as parking lots, driveways, streets, or sidewalks is prohibited unless necessary for the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
THE USE OF WATER TO WASH DOWN BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES other than immediate fire protection is prohibited.
USE OF ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS, WATERFALLS, PONDS or other aesthetic water features—outdoors or indoors—is prohibited unless the fountain is necessary to support aquatic life.
REFILLING OF PRIVATE, COMMERCIAL, AND PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS is prohibited.
WATER FOR DUST CONTROL and the washing of streets is prohibited unless deemed necessary for the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
ALL RESIDENTIAL WATER USERS are requested to limit their use of water to 50 gallons per person per day. Permits may be obtained if the use is deemed necessary for the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
THE CITY MAY BAN ANY OTHER USES OF WATER DETERMINED TO BE NONESSENTIAL AT ANY TIME.
