Ketchum’s water ordinance was put into effect in 1992. To city Public Water Works director Robyn Mattison, the decades-old law shows just how dedicated the city is to water conservation.
The ordinance bars daytime watering, the idea being that overnight watering when temperatures are cooler is more efficient. Mattison says homeowners are used to the restriction and in the three years she’s been in the position – she hasn’t heard many complaints.
“We have a lot of landscape companies and they know the regulations and they work with their clients on making sure that they set their clocks for the appropriate time of day," says Mattison. "Since I’ve been around I’m not aware of any violations.”
In neighboring Sun Valley, the water and sewer district updated its 16-year-old watering policy this year to include daytime restrictions similar to Ketchum’s. From July 1 to August 31, Sun Valley residents water every other day. District general manager Pat McMahon says the town has seen an 11 percent decline in overall water usage under that policy, and hopes to conserve more water with the new daytime restrictions.
Find reporter Frankie Barnhill on Twitter @FABarnhill
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