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By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent

Spring has barely sprung and its already time for water restrictions.

Nephi City Council agreed to allow an ordinance setting the time of day when watering could take place in the community to remain enforce&emdash;a leftover from last year's watering season.

Residents of Nephi are asked to water only between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 a.m., which means residents need to water in the evenings and in the early morning.

Randy McKnight, city administrator, explained that the ordinance from last summer had not been rescinded so it was still in force.

"The time of day restriction seems to be the best type of control," he said.

Once again, this summer, Nephi Irrigation Company will also request the compliance of those who are on the secondary irrigation system. The same time of day watering schedule will be adopted by the company for residential watering.

Sprinkler irrigation of public or private land and plants with water from Nephi Pressurized Secondary Water System and Nephi City Culinary Water is prohibited except at the specified time of day.

However, there are exceptions. The ordinance does not apply to those who have new lawns that require frequent irrigation for establishment purposes within 90 days of planting; short cycles required for testing, inspecting, and maintaining irrigation systems; and other situations as permitted by the city.

The city ordinance states that "research has shown that irrigating only during the hours of 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. significantly increases irrigation efficiency."

Conservation of water through more efficient use is in the public interest and enhances the community's economic, environmental, recreational, and aesthetic resources.

Violation of the ordinance is a Class C misdemeanor, which is in part designated by state law. Violations of Class C misdemeanors are punishable by a fine of up to $750.

The ordinance becomes effective on May 20, the Tuesday before Memorial Day.

The city staff did send out a reminder with the city utility bills," said McKnight.