Hot, dry weather has increased customer water demand for irrigation, recreation and hydration. As a result, the Central Iowa Regional Drinking Water Commission (CIRDWC), a collaboration of 22 drinking water utility entities from the Des Moines metro area, including Waukee, has issued a peak water alert for the Des Moines metro area.

The peak water alert program is issued when temperatures are expected to exceed 95 degrees, a heat wave is in progress, there is no rain fall and none forecasted for the upcoming days and/or we are approaching a record pumpage for the day.

Customers of Des Moines Water Works used nearly 84 million gallons on Tuesday and 89 million gallons on Wednesday. The record usage day was 92 million gallons set in June 2006.

Although Des Moines metro cities have made significant financial investments in treatment plants, pumps, tanks, piping and reservoir storage to meet the potable water needs of residential, business, industry and government customers, these water utility assets can be most efficiently operated during the hot summer days when customers use water wisely.

"There is sufficient amount of water in our rivers and reservoir storage to meet our customer needs." says Randy Beavers, General Manager, Des Moines Water Works. "However, we ask customers to be conscious of their water uses during this prolonged hot, dry period."

Wise use of water is defined as being alert to and repairing leaking household fixtures, taking advantage of technological advances to eliminate waste and avoiding irrigation use during the hottest part of the day. With the assistance of customers voluntarily following the peak water alert tips, Des Moines metro utilities can guarantee efficient use of the water supply. The following tips are suggested by the CIRDWC during this water peak alert:

• Customers voluntarily avoid lawn watering, whether from an in-ground sprinkler system or manual sprinkler, during the day time hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Evaporation from the sun is highest during this time period and less water is absorbed into the soil, meaning more water must be used to get the same effect than if watering is done outside these hours.

• Customers voluntarily shift watering to no more frequently than the ODD numbered days of the week if their house address ends with an ODD number and EVEN numbered days if their house address ends with an EVEN number. For example, if your house number is "1521," it is suggested that you water on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and so on days of the month during the time period when there is a peak water alert.

• Test the irrigation system each spring to ensure there are no leaking sprinkler heads and that each head is properly directing its spray onto the turf and landscape.

• Most soils in the Des Moines area can support a healthy turf, if watered no more frequently than every other day. ISU Extension pamphlet PM 1063, found at their Web page: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1063.pdf, says "Kentucky Bluegrass will withstand drought by becoming dormant. If irrigation is begun in a drought, continue to water during the drought period. Apply water infrequently, but in sufficient amounts to wet the soil to six-inch depth." Turf grasses in clayey, silty soils found in most parts of the metro area may require up to one inch to one-half inches of water per week. These soils typically cannot absorb this much water during one irrigation cycle. Adjust your sprinkler time so you are applying from one-fourth inch to one- half inch of water during each irrigation day or cycle. Those homeowners who have sandy soils, typically found in parts of Johnston, may have to apply more water during each irrigation cycle.

• When possible, avoid laying sod during July and the first three weeks of August. These typically are the hottest months and weeks of the year. New sod has no established root system and therefore requires daily watering during hot summer days to keep it alive. Beginning the last week in August and on through the fall is the best time for laying sod. Grass seed is also best used during this late summer, fall time period.

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