News

Odd/Even Watering Day Regulation Enacted for Harvard Yards

Posted: 5:42 PM Jul 25, 2012
Reporter: Steve Ross

Harvard Watering Restrictions

Keeping a Harvard, NE yard green will require a new routine: new lawn watering restrictions were implemented on Tuesday. For now, odd numbered addresses may water their lawns on odd numbered dates, evens on evens.

The measure was taken in response to Harvard's plummeting well levels.

"On average between the three wells they've dropped about forty feet in the last month. It's going down with irrigation going on," observed Harvard Water Department staff member Eric Cox.

"We saw that the static water lines were starting to recede, not to a point where we have to be in an emergency situation by any means, but certainly to a point where it causes us to pause and possibly put some conservation efforts into place, so hopefully we don't get into an emergency situation," Harvard Mayor Michael Boyd explained.

And what if a Harvard homeowner should slip a sip of water to his lawn on a prohibited day?

"They'll be warned the first time, to try to be compliant, and the second time we'll just disconnect their hoses and try to work with them a little bit and make them more aware of the situation," said Eric Cox.

Near the Harvard water tower's main pumping station, the grass is dry and brittle. Local residents say they're just trying to bear with the heat.

"I hope... We need some rain..." lamented gardener Jerry Sadd.

Jerry and his wife Sandy say their vegetables have suffered in the drought, just as their neighbors' lawns have. Still, he sees good citizen compliance with the new program.

"Everybody goes by the rules so far as I know," Sadd said.