Tulsa -
Water usage in Tulsa did not hit a breaking point yesterday. So as of now, Tulsa water customers are still under voluntary water restrictions.
Those restrictions were put in place yesterday after customers 207.3 million gallons of water Monday. That high number, coupled with 198 million gallons used on Sunday, triggered the voluntary restrictions.
Tulsa water customers used 202.07 million gallons Tuesday. If that number would have hit 204 million gallons or more, mandatory restrictions would have gone into effect.
City ordinance states that if water use tops 197 million gallons per day (mgd) for two consecutive days, Stage 1 voluntary water restrictions will be asked for. That means customers are asked to limit outside watering to the hours between midnight and noon every other day, based on odd-even address numbers.
If water use tops 204 mgd for two consecutive days, Stage two mandatory restrictions will be imposed. Stage two would make those voluntary restrictions mandatory.
For stage three restrictions, if water use reaches 210 mgd for two days, watering would be restricted to the hours between midnight and noon every other day and with the use of a hand-held hose only. If use grows higher that 210 mgd, then outside watering could be prohibited.
The City of Tulsa asks that water customers continue to conserve and below are a few conservation tips to help not only conserve water, but save on customer water bills:
· Adjust sprinklers so only the lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, driveway or street.
· Run the clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. Customers could potentially save up to 1,000 gallons of water a month.
· To avoid evaporation, it is most feasible to water your lawn in the morning or evening, along voluntary restrictions, to minimize evaporation.
· Check the home for any leaks, including outdoors faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
· When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink basin or large container and rinse only when all the dishes have been washed.
The last time Tulsa was under mandatory water restrictions was back in the 1980s.
