Watering restrictions are in effect in Eagan Posted 7/13/01 by Erin Johnson Staff Writer An unusually wet June has turned into a very dry July, prompting Eagan to remind residents to observe its water restriction policy and, in some cases, to make some adjustments. Eaganís current water restriction policy is permanent and therefore always in effect. Called the odd/even program, it restricts odd-numbered addresses to outdoor water usage on odd-numbered days only, and even-numbered addresses to outdoor water usage on even-numbered days only. Due to recent conditions, the city has implemented further restrictions to prevent a community-wide water shortage. ìItís to protect our ability to provide water for fire suppression, business use and home consumption,î said Director of Public Works Tom Colbert. ìTheyíre preventative measures to maintain our current status.î For instance, commercial and industrial properties are currently prohibited from any outdoor water usage, and the Department of Public Works has extended staff hours to patrol for violations. According to Colbert, Eagan has four programmed response modes relating to water usage: mild, moderate, severe and disaster. Eagan is currently in a moderate condition response mode based on the loss of three of the cityís 19 wells, or 16 percent of the supply capacity, due to a brownout by Xcel Energy on Sunday, July 8. The cityís water supply usually recovers overnight, Colbert said, but the brownout prevented a full recovery. In addition, Colbert said the city saw very heavy water use Sunday night. ìThis is just my speculation of human behavior, but people probably came back from their holiday vacations to find brown lawns,î Colbert said. ìThe first thing they probably did was unload their car, and the second thing was they turned on their sprinklers.î While fines can be given to those who violate the odd/even outdoor watering policy, Colbert said the city is of an educational/informational mindset, so violators will most likely get a warning. ìThe vast majority of residents comply,î he said. ìThe common responses are ëI didnít know about it.í... We find very, very few that blatantly refuse to comply.î Colbert said that the additional restrictions will apply ìuntil we can get into a recovery mode,î which he expects will happen soon. ìWe donít expect this to be long term,î he said. ìAnd people can still water their lawns.î ©Thisweek Newspapers