View as a webpage/Share

Emergency Water Conservation Measures Updated - Phase 1 Conservation Measures In Effect

Fort Smith, AR - Mandatory Phase I Water Conservation Measures are in effect.

The City is still working to restore Fort Smith’s in-town reservoirs and storage tanks to full capacity after a recent water main break. Phase II water conservation measures have been lifted. However, Phase I water conservation measures remain in effect until tanks are back to normal operating levels. 

Phase I Water Conservation allows the following water use with restriction:

1. Locations with even-numbered addresses may only use water on even-numbered days of the month for lawn watering; watering of shrubs, plants, trees, and gardens; the washing of motor vehicles, trailers, airplanes, or boats (not applicable to commercial car washes); filling of swimming pools or fountains; and washing of building exteriors.
2. Locations with odd-numbered addresses may only water on odd-numbered days of the month for lawn watering; watering of shrubs, plants, trees, and gardens; the washing of motor vehicles, trailers, airplanes, or boats (not applicable to commercial car washes); filling of swimming pools or fountains; and washing of building exteriors.
3. Water used as stated above shall not be allowed to run in alleys or streets, nor onto another person's property.
4. Golf course watering and other commercial irrigation from city sources shall be done only to the extent necessary to preserve turf and other plant life and at such times during the day as to minimize water loss due to evaporation.
5. The use of water from fire hydrants at any time for construction purposes, fire drills, or routine hydrant testing is prohibited.
6.  Only non-potable water may be used for dirt compaction, earth-moving operations, or street base course construction.
7. The washing of sidewalks, walkways, driveways, patios, parking lots, concrete tennis courts, and other hard-surfaced areas by hosing or by use of water directly from faucets or other city sources is prohibited. Food processing and food service establishments may engage in such use of water only to the extent necessary to maintain and preserve the public health, and in compliance with any state or federal regulations. Restaurants and other food service establishments may hose or wash only walkways immediately adjacent to entrances and not beyond ten feet of entrances and not beyond ten feet of garbage facilities, food delivery, or food serving areas.
8. No person shall irrigate or water lawns, turf, shrubs, plants, trees or gardens between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (not applicable to greens and tee boxes on golf courses).

Following these measures is required by municipal code.

If everyone does their part now, reservoirs will refill faster, and we can lift the measures sooner. 

# # #