HAYS, Kan. (AP) Hays officials have declared a “water watch” to encourage residents to conserve water.
The city said on Tuesday that a water watch means the city’s well fields have deteriorated and peak water consumption is abnormally high.
The Hays Daily News reports a water watch is the first level of the city’s water operations plan.
Some of the restrictions include no street sweeping or hydrant flushing, reduced watering of ball fields and no new permits for newly seeded or sodded lawns.
City Manager Toby Dougherty says the voluntary restrictions are intended to stabilize well field levels and lower daily demand.
If the water watch doesn’t reduce usage enough, a water warning will be issued, triggering more restrictions.
