Lewiston residents face irrigation restrictions beginning May 2nd following the rupture of one of the city’s main water reservoirs earlier this year.
According to the Lewiston Tribune, during a city council meeting last (Tue) night, Lewiston Public Works Director Dustin Johnson provided the update.
Outdoor watering will be limited to hand-watering with hoses, pails and drip lines except in low-lying neighborhoods like downtown Lewiston and North Lewiston.
Powered, automated irrigation systems and sprinklers that project water will not be allowed wile the restriction is in place.
The maximum penalty for violators is having their water turned off and a $300 fine, which could only occur after two warnings.
The ban is required to maintain adequate water pressure to fight fires and prevent additional damage to the city’s water infrastructure following the collapse of a section of a wall at High Reservoir on Jan. 18. The reservoir has a capacity of 4.5 million gallons.
The restriction doesn’t apply to Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District customers. The Lewiston Golf & Country Club, the Lewiston Normal Hill Cemetery and Pepsi Park have their own wells, so they are not subject to the restriction.
Johnson says more water storage is anticipated to be added in the city of Lewiston by completing an interim fix on the broken reservoir that would allow it to hold water, but that project won’t be completed for weeks.
