by Jeff Achen
Thisweek Newspapers

The City of Apple Valley has been pleased with citizen compliance with the water restrictions in effect since July 10.

Drought conditions and a strained local water supply forced the city to restrict watering or sprinkling between the hours of 12:00 and 8:00 p.m. daily. The restriction does not apply to new trees planted or lawn sod laid during the current calendar year.

Neal Heuer, Apple Valley public works director, said citizens have been pretty good about following the restrictions. He said the city implements restrictions after demand exceeds 18 million gallons, or 70 percent of their pumping capacity.

"We've been stable,î Heuer said. "We have not actively gone out and cited [citizens for violations] at this point. Typically, we see a real good volunteer adherence and gives us time to get the word out.î

Heuer said the city has asked the Apple Valley Police Department's Code Enforcement officers to begin citing at their discretion if they observe someone violating the watering restrictions.

Apple Valley Natural Resources Director Jeff Kehrer said he's been getting a lot of calls about reduced pond and lake levels as well as trees. He said the high temperatures aren't normal and cause damage he can't do too much about. He said the city waters trees to try to keep them alive, but it's the heat that endangers them.

"Until Mother Nature cooperates, there's really not much we can do about it,î he said.

As of Thursday, Aug. 3, the National Weather Service predicted temperature highs somewhere in the 80s and 90s for Saturday through Wednesday with a chance of showers and thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday.

Jeff Achen can be reached at av.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.

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