Fargo Announces Drought Plan Phase III Watering Exceptions

(Fargo, ND) -- There are a few more clarifications coming out on what is acceptable under the current Phase III Drought Advisory Plan in the City of Fargo.

The City says largest use of outdoor water in summer is lawn irrigation, which is why lawn watering is the primary target of the Phase III water usage restrictions. By observing the one day per week lawn watering restriction, The City of Fargo aims to achieve the targeted 25% City-wide water usage reduction.

The following however are exceptions to the Phase III restrictions:

  •  Hand-watered flowers and plants.
  •  Vegetable and flower gardens.
  • Newly-planted landscaping, trees and shrubs.
  • Newly-planted yards or newly-sodded lawns.
  • Water used to control dust or compact soil.
  • Using drip irrigation, bubblers, hand watering or other systems that do not propel water through the air.
  • According to the Phase III Lawn watering schedule map (located at the end of this release), residents may wash their vehicles at their personal residence on their designated watering day.
  • Irrigation necessary for one day only where treatment with an application of chemicals requires immediate watering to preserve an existing landscape.
  • Visually-supervised operation of watering systems for short periods of time to check system condition and effectiveness (e.g. winterization of water sprinkler systems).

Automatic sprinkler systems are recommended to operate overnight to limit water losses due to evaporation. The Phase III restrictions are not intended to limit or prohibit any commercial lawn care businesses.