Farmington Delays Stage 3 Drought Restrictions

Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at 12:15 PM

“As of the last rolling 10 day average, water consumption has gone down 10.6%,” stated Mayes. Since Tuesday night’s council meeting, the community has continued to improve on water conservation efforts with a 3-day average water reduction of 18.9%. Based on average water reductions since the enactment of Stage 2 on June 13th, the City Manager stated, “This reduction shows that citizens are becoming much more aware of the potential for a water crisis and are beginning to change water consumption behavior”. “If these positive trends continue along with the potential for favorable precipitat

From the City of Farmington:

The City of Farmington is delaying the enactment of drought Stage 3. Drought Stage 2 will remain in effect. Drought Stage 3 was set to begin on July 16, 2018, however, recent community reductions in water use during Stage 2 watering restrictions has been positive, leaving City management a reasonable opportunity to delay enacting Stage 3: Water Shortage Warning, including water surcharges. The need to enact Stage 3 will be reevaluated by City management on or around August 1, 2018.

During the June 26^th regular City Council meeting, City Manager Rob Mayes, provided a water conservation update to the Mayor and Council regarding water consumption since enacting Stage 2: Water Shortage Watch, “As of the last rolling 10 day average, water consumption has gone down 10.6%,” stated Mayes. Since Tuesday night’s council meeting, the community has continued to improve on water conservation efforts with a 3-day average water reduction of 18.9%.

Based on average water reductions since the enactment of Stage 2 on June 13^th, the City Manager stated, “This reduction shows that citizens are becoming much more aware of the potential for a water crisis and are beginning to change water consumption behavior”. “If these positive trends continue along with the potential for favorable precipitation in the coming weeks, it is reasonable to believe Stage 3 can be delayed or conceivably avoided completely.”

According to Mayes, “timing for further restrictions and implementation of Stage 3 water surcharges is a delicate balance of maintaining water consumption reductions with uncertainty as to what unknown future conditions will exist for opportunities to replenish water in our reservoir”. “Surcharges are a last resort, and will only be implemented if current measures fail to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of our citizens and community”, Mayes added.

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