However, the gains have since fallen. In December, the decrease from 1998 was only 2.3 percent. The declining difference has administrators worried that water demand will shoot up in the summer as people try to keep their lawns green under the heat of the drought. Simpson suggested the Council consider an earlier date to begin phase two of the drought contingency plan. Phase two eliminates using sprinklers to water lawns.
People can still spray or water their grass with soaker hoses.
The city ordinance triggers phase two when the water at Fort Phantom dips to 20 feet below the spillway. As of this week, the level is at 18 feet. The Council wanted to try the new rates first, however. Council members instead directed the city to raise the water rates and implement phase two when the ordinance recommends it. Simpson estimated the city could implement phase two as soon as June.