Local water companies are asking their customers to cut back, especially on the watering of lawns, and some have made it mandatory.

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Citizens Water in Indianapolis has seen record usage each of the last two days. "On Wednesday, 231 millon gallons of water was used and again yesterday, 231 millon gallons of water was used" said Sarah Holsapple with Citizens.  "The record had been 228 million gallons," set in July 2007.

Despite the usage, Holsapple says Citizens will not institute mandatory cutbacks in Indianapolis, though they are doing so in Zionsville and Whitestown.  Citizens had received complaints about reduced water pressure in those communities, so they are mandating once-a-week lawn watering, something they already recommend to everyone. "What we're asking is that people really cut back that usage and start watering their lawns once a week. We've talked to experts at Purdue University that say one inch of water on your lawn is all that it needs to remain healthy one inch of water once a week."

The situation is also critical in part of Johnson County, where Bargersville Utilities has implemented a 24-hour ban on all outdoor irrigation. "With the water towers being emptied, it puts public safety at tremendous risk because there will be very limited firefighting capability," said Mike Davis, utilities superintendent for Bargersville, which serves 30,000 customers in the town as well as part of White River Township. 

The town will shut off a customer's water if they are caught irrigating during the ban, which takes effect at 5:00pm today.  After the ban expiers, Davis says they will return to an even-odd system, where addresses that end in an even number can water on even-numbered days, and vice versa for homes with odd-numbered addresses.  Bargersville also does not allow irrigation on weekends and holidays.

Late Friday afternoon, Indiana American Water announced mandatory restrictions on irrigation for customers in Noblesville.  Customers will even-numbered addresses there will only be allowed to irrigate on Mondays and Wednesday, while those with odd-numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Watering will not be allowed in Noblesville Friday through Sunday until further notice.

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