The Kennewick Irrigation District (KID) announced Tuesday the implementation of a mandatory watering schedule effective at the end of the month, due to drought conditions.

The District issued a press release which included the following:

Home owners will be notified that beginning May 31st, they must water according to a District designated schedule. The schedule is based upon the last digit in their address. The schedule will allow all customers equitable usage. Each customer will have the continued ability to water 2 days per week for 30 minutes per zone with the change being they must water during their assigned A.M. or P.M. block. The A.M. block is from 12 midnight until 12 noon. and the P.M. block is from 12 noon until 12 midnight.

The watering schedule is as follows:

Watering Schedule:
AM PM
Sunday 5 4 & 7
Monday 3 & 9 2
Tuesday 1 6 & 8
Wednesday 4 & 7 0
Thursday 5 3 & 9
Friday 6 & 8 2
Saturday 1 0

The District also passed a resolution allowing the authority to enforce the new mandatory watering restrictions with penalties for violators. They are as follows:

  • First and second offense - warning to property owner
  • Third offense...$100 penalty and valve will be locked for seven days
  • Fourth offense...$100 penalty and property owner will be locked out of system (valve locked rendering it unoperable) for rest of irrigation season

There will be an appeals process available through the KID,  anyone who tampers with the valve lock if their water is shut off is subject to a $500 fine.

The new restrictions on watering are needed, say KID officials because of drought conditions.

For additional information, property owners are urged to visit the District website.

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