Water restrictions implemented in Norton

NORTON, Kan. (KWCH) - The City of Norton began its annual water conservation program a month early with an order going into effect at 10 a.m. Friday.

The city said it’s enacting the order early due to “circumstances and conditions adversely affecting the normal usage of water which include the scheduled maintenance of the water tower and the extreme drought conditions affecting Northwest Kansas.”

The water conservation effort began in 2018.

“We had to reduce the amount of water being used, so we started a practice that I think will help us in the long term,” North City Administrator James Moreau explained.

Moreau said the program is simple.

“We have what’s called an odd and even schedule, so if you have an even-numbered street address, you water on the even number of days on the calendar, 2nd, 4th, 6th, etc. and same with odds,” he explained.

The early start is for maintenance, Moreau said, is important for Norton’s longevity. This work involves temporarily taking the water tower out of service, necessitating drainage from the tower.

“We have a limited supply of water at this time, especially with the drought conditions. So, we have to protect our water,” Moreau said.

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