LAYTON - As summer moves into its last three weeks by the calendar, hot temperatures and dry conditions persist.

That means water supplies are more precious than normal in this desert state, and water officials are asking all residents to ratchet up their conservation measures.

“The usage over this summer has been extremely high,” said Tage Flint, general manager of the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District.

That district provides water to all Davis County cities but Woods Cross, as well as to four other Wasatch Front counties.

“We’re really trying to prepare against a (potentially) bad winter. The really prudent thing to do is curb our use,” he said.

Water use can and should be reduced because this time of year requires less of it on lawns and gardens, Flint emphasized.

“Sunlight hours are way down, the nights are cooler. That all contributes to less of a need than in July for water demand,” he told the Clipper.

Typical plant and landscape requirements for September are 60 percent of those in July, meaning watering should be reduced by at least 40 percent from mid-summer applications, the water official said.

Those with automatic sprinkler clocks should set them back in frequency and watering duration. Watering should only be necessary twice a week in September, he said.

The water district is asking residents to refrain from watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily; to correct sprinkler system deficiencies by fixing leaks; to correct misaligned sprinkler heads and to water only zones that require irrigation.

In addition, homeowners should set their lawn mower cutting height to at least two inches.

For more information check out the August 30 edition of Davis Clipper.

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