Oklahoma City Implements Mandatory Odd/Even Watering Program

Oklahoma City is starting a mandatory odd/even watering program, effective immediately. The rotation program includes all homes and business until further notice. Those whose address numbers end in even numbers may water yards on even-numbered days. Likewise, citizens whose house numbers end in an odd number may water on odd-numbered days.
City officials say extreme temperatures cause an extreme demand for water, which lowers water pressure for some homes and businesses. The city hopes watering yards every other day will reduce the demand and maintain water pressure for everyone.
Agriculture experts like Ray Ridlen at OSU Extention in the metro advise families to decide as soon as possible if they are going to let bermuda grass go dormant, or try and maintian a somewhat green lawn with the new restrictions.
Residents should water between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. when the water wont evaporate as quickly.

"If your lawn can't survive 3 days without water you are not watering it correctly, you should have a deep enough root system," Ray Ridlen said. The Horticulturist advises those who want to try and maintain a green lawn to ditch the sprinkler, "Water deeply," Ridlen added.
Ridlen says now is the time for lawn owners to decide what plans they want to let go dormant and which they want to stay green, "Personally, I'd spend my water money on trees and shrubs, rather than my lawn." Ridlen said. Oklahoma City Implements Mandatory Odd/Even Watering Program

Posted: Wednesday, August 1 2012, 10:14 PM CDT