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1. Why do we have conservation ordinances?

Balancing the water use with recent hotter, drier summers is a critical challenge for Whitefish’s population today and for the future. Reducing the amount of water that is wasted is part of the City’s Climate Action Plan and an effective way to balance water demands with limited available water resources.

Currently, Whitefish’s water supply infrastructure is at a maximum capacity, and the summer water use is extremely high relative to the base/winter use. This puts severe stress on the City’s infrastructure and operations. Conservation practices and wasting less water will reduce the peak summer demand and costs of supplying water, as well as the life of the City’s water infrastructure. Using less water also reduces our impact on the environment and preserves resources for future generations who live, work and play in Whitefish.

2. How will I know what conservation stage we are in?

Until further notice, Whitefish will remain in the General Conservation stage. Changes in stages will be triggered by excessive use, drought conditions and/or major infrastructure failures. Residents will be notified of changes in conservation stages by issuance of a proclamation by the Public Works Director through public service announcements, website and social media.

3. What is the General Conservation stage?

• All outdoor watering is prohibited between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm.
• Commercial lodging establishments must provide guests the option of choosing not to have linen washed every day.
• Watering must not result in coverage of pavement areas or result in excess runoff.
• All hoses used for watering or car washing shall be equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle.

4. What is a positive shut-off nozzle?

Positive shut-off nozzles are placed on the end of garden hoses and other water delivery systems to stop any waste of water prior to the user’s need. This piece of equipment will help you waste less water (and money).

5. Can I water my vegetable garden?

Under all stages, watering of vegetable gardens during allocated times and dates are allowed. Where possible, utilize soaker hoses, timed watering systems, and mulch soils to retain moisture. Look for ways to waste less water and only water areas that require moisture.

6. Will the General Conservation stage change?

Wasting less water is critical for the sustainability of Whitefish’s water infrastructure. It is also key to maintaining the City’s commitment to the approved Climate Action Plan. Key priorities of this plan include conserving water, protecting the City’s watersheds, and diversifying the City’s water supply resources. In order to meet these goals, the General Conservation stage will remain part of routine operation for the city.

7. What triggers the additional conservation stages?

• Stage I, Severe Water Shortage, will be declared whenever the City must utilize all of its water treatment infrastructure due to extreme demands, or when portions or all of Flathead County is in Extreme Drought as declared by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
• Stage II, Extreme Water Shortage, will be declared if the City’s infrastructure experiences a critical equipment failure or when portions or all of Flathead County is in exceptional drought as declared by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

8. What’s the difference between the Stage I and Stage II water conservation regulations?

• Stage I Severe Water Shortage includes all General Conservation requirements plus watering is limited to two days per week in accordance with the following schedule:
  • No watering is allowed on Monday
  • Single residential properties with odd-numbered addresses may water on Saturday and Wednesday
  • Single residential properties with even-numbered addresses may water on Sunday and Thursday
  • All other properties (multi-unit, Homeowner’s Associations (HOAs), commercial, industrial, government) may water on Tuesday and Friday
  • New turf planting is prohibited
  • Exterior water features must be turned off
  • Car washing is prohibited except at commercial car wash facilities
  • The City may limit the number of minutes of irrigation that an area of turf may receive or a maximum total amount of time during which irrigation at a premise may occur
• Stage II Extreme Water Shortage includes all General Conservation and Stage I requirements in addition to the following:
  • All outdoor watering is prohibited public or private, for:
    • Gardens
    • Lawns
    • Trees
    • Shrubs
    • Plants
    • Parks
    • Golf courses
    • Playing fields
    • Swimming pools or other recreational areas
  • No new landscaping is permitted
  • Washing is prohibited for:
    • Motor vehicles
    • Boats
    • Trailers
    • Pavement
    • Exterior of any building or structure

9. Are there exceptions to Stage I and Stage II regulations?

• A Commercial Outdoor Water Use Permit may be issued by the Public Works Department to businesses that cannot maintain their operations without the use of outdoor water
• Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Trailer/boat decontamination
• Vegetable gardens have unlimited days of watering during the permissible hours set in the General Conservation requirements

10. Are there penalties for excessive water usage?

• For a violation of General Conservation restrictions, a warning will be issued for the first offense followed by a $25 fine for each subsequent offense.
• Violation of Stage I restrictions will result in a fine not less than $50 and not more than $300 for the first offense and increase by $50 for each subsequent offense.
• Violation of Stage II restrictions will result in a fine not less than $100 and not more than $500 for the first offense and increase by $100 for each subsequent offense.
• Third time offenders utilizing more than 50 gallons per minute of water for a prohibited use may have their water shut off.

11. Water usage is necessary for my business to survive. Is there anything I can do?

Looking for ways to waste less water should be a standard operating procedure, but under General Conservation stage, you may operate as normal. If the City enters Stage I or Stage II restrictions and your business requires water for daily operation, contact the City of Whitefish to obtain a Commercial Outdoor Water Use Permit.

12. What will it take to rescind water shortage proclamations?

Stage I restrictions will revert to General Conservation restrictions if there are 10 consecutive days of water demand less than or equal to 3 million gallons per day (MGD) at the Water Treatment Plant.

Stage II restrictions step down to Stage I restrictions when critical infrastructure is repaired, or the U.S. Drought Monitor Index condition changes to severe or less for the identified area.

13. Who declares the drought?

Drought conditions are monitored by reviewing the reports from the U.S. Drought Monitor. For more information or to review reports, visit the U.S. Drought Monitor website.

14. Will my lawn be damaged by not watering during the day?

The timing of watering is important. Cooler temperatures in the evening results in the best time to soak or drip irrigate; this gives the soil all night to absorb the water. Early morning is the best time for sprinklers because grass leaves can absorb water and not be wet and cold all night.

For more yard and garden tips review the Montana State University Extension Yard and Garden Water Management (PDF) document.

15. How can I stop the water from going on the pavement?

• When using a garden hose, always use a positive shut off nozzle.
• Consider using drip or soaker hoses when watering areas that quickly dry out.
• Frequently check the alignment of sprinklers so you are not watering the side of houses, streets or sidewalks.
• Look for obstructed heads, broken parts or clogged nozzles, which all create spray pattern issues.
• Water an appropriate amount (no surface runoff) for the time of year and grass conditions.

For more information view some Irrigation Runoff Prevention (PDF) tips.