The City of Vernon is defending itself against charges that it’s ignoring water regulations.
Complaints have been received about irrigation at MacDonald Park outside of the time period mandated by Greater Vernon Water.
“How ridiculous is that,” said a caller to The Morning Star who says that he saw five sprinklers operating at 12:10 p.m. at the park Wednesday.
“They want everyone else to follow the rules but they don’t.”
As part of stage one, automatic timer irrigation may only operate from midnight to 6 a.m.
The city insists it is doing nothing wrong.
“The city is compliant with all regional district restrictions,” sad Tanya Laing Gahr, communications co-ordinator.
“Prior to stage one restrictions being initiated, we laid down new sod and (grass) seed and under stage one, you are allowed to water during the day.”
Laing Gahr says the sod has now rooted and there is no longer a need to water during the day at MacDonald Park.
Some public concerns have also arisen about irrigation at the DND grounds and Marshall Field, but Laing Gahr says treated waste water is used in both of those locations.
“It’s great for irrigation and because it’s not potable, we don’t have to follow those (GVW) restrictions.”
Under stage one regulations, residents can water:
• Tuesday, Thursday, and/or Saturday if their property has an odd address number.
• Wednesday, Friday, and/or Sunday if their property has an even address number
• Manual sprinklers (moved by hand) may be used between the hours of 6 and 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and midnight.
• Drip irrigation may operate between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. (could previously run anytime under normal restrictions)
• Customers using a watering can or hose with a spring-loaded nozzle may hand water anytime
