Lake Forest Bans Sprinklers on Mondays

An ordinance was updated at the May 5  City Council meeting aiming at conserving water in Lake Forest. 

The new “Sprinkler-Free Mondays” regulation applies to both automated irrigation systems and manual sprinklers.   Owners of automated irrigation systems should be able to easily program them to adhere to the regulation. 

Residents and businesses with even-numbered addresses are asked to sprinkle from midnight-10 a.m. and 8 p.m.-midnight on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only.  Those with odd-numbered addresses are asked to sprinkle from midnight-10 a.m. and 8 p.m.-midnight on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays only.

As in years past, watering restrictions take place from May 15-September 15 on an annual basis, and sprinkling between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. is not allowed because water put on lawns and gardens during those hours quickly evaporates with the afternoon sun.  Additionally, night-time irrigation during the summer months drains the City’s water reserves, and the Water Plant needs time during the following day to build up those reserves. 

Newly-installed lawns and landscaping may be watered before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. daily for a reasonable period after installation.