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Water Conservation

Irrigation Season

When and How can I Irrigate?

Irrigation Season Begins June 1st	Before June 1st	During Irrigation Season
Hand-held hose with automatic shut-off nozzle	Allowed anytime	Allowed anytime
Soaker hose and drip irrigation	Not allowed	Allowed anytime
Sprinkler	Not allowed	Allowed from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m.
New landscaping	Apply for a variance with the Public Work Department, 221 East Second Street

Note: Watering of impervious surfaces is prohibited at all times.

Guidelines

In 2007, a new Water Conservation Ordinance was accepted by the City Council. The first conservation ordinance was established by the City in 2004. That ordinance has since evolved into the 2007 ordinance, with two major amendments:

1. Declared Outdoor Season: The allowed dates of the Outdoor Irrigation Season will vary each year and will be dependent on the current year's climate. Visit this website each year to find out during which months you are allowed to irrigate; the date will be online by May 1st of each year. Outdoor irrigation shall be prohibited at all times not within the declared Outdoor Irrigation Season. For new landscaping, apply for a variance with the Public Works Department:  Variance Application
2. Prohibits the Watering of Impervious Surfaces: Examples of impervious surfaces include gravel, asphalt, concrete, brick, or a combination thereof. Make sure your sprinkler heads are not spraying into the sidewalk or street. For help with getting your system running efficiently, contact us for a free irrigation audit or take a look at some lawn watering tips.

This can be a little confusing, so hopefully the chart above can help to clarify when you can and cannot water. The City offers a variety of hardware and tips to help you with your efficient landscape goals as well as some more information for our irrigation professionals.

For the Moscow Resident

We are here to help you! The City of Moscow offers free outdoor water saving devies for Moscow residents. Please see what we have to offer at the Giveaway Program web page. The City has also started a Wisescape Award program to help motivate and recognize individuals that are making an effor to improve the efficiency of their landscape. The City also provides free irrigation audits to our residents, which can help to pin point problem areas with your irrigation system. Feel free to contact us with any quesitons or concerns.

Here are a few helpful links for you:

• Printable Irrigation Tips
• Wisescape Award
• Outdoor Conservation Tips
• Xeriscaping Tips
• Irrigation Audit
• Water Conservation Ordinance
• Variance Application
• Water Waste Resolution

For the Irrigation Professional

Please inform your clients to have their automatic irrigation controllers on during declared Outdoor Irrigation Season only. Please continue business as usual in regards to installing, turning on the valves, testing, and maintaining, etc., your client's automatic irrigation system. Please feel free to print and distribute the following information flyer:  Printable Irrigation Guidelines

For further information or assistance in Water Conservation please call Nichole Baker at (208) 883-7114 or stop by the Water Department at 120 West A Street between the hours of 7 AM and 4 PM.