Watering Schedule Approach

Cherokee’s watering schedule is divided into two seasons: non-irrigation and irrigation. The non-irrigation season consists of Winter Stage and covers the dormancy period – November through March – for turf and most plants. Precipitation during this time is generally sufficient to maintain turf health in preparation for the growing season. Since unpredictable precipitation is common in our region, Winter Stage provides an opportunity for additional irrigation if necessary.

The irrigation season consists of four stages and covers the growing season – April through October – for the region. Each year prior to the irrigation season, the Board of Directors selects the stage based on the available water supply and anticipated irrigation demands. Each stage allows for lawn irrigation ranging from no outside watering to a maximum of three days per week. Since the implementation of our water conservation plan in 2006, Stage 2 has been used with the exception of 2007, when Stage 4 was implemented for one week.

In addition to lawn watering guidelines, each stage specifies rules for sod/seed permits, the watering of trees, flowers, shrubs and gardens, and car washing.

Watering schedules are based on available supply and irrigation demand and therefore are subject to change at anytime.

Conservation Enforcement

The District uses roving water monitors to help ensure conservation compliance. These monitors drive throughout the District at various hours and issue watering violations when a customer is found to be in violation of the established watering guidelines. Violations may be issued under the following conditions:

• Lawn watering outside of your assigned day(s)
• Watering between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Excessive watering

We do not consider this as a revenue source, but rather a tool to emphasize conservation. In fact, the compliance rate once a 1st Violation - Warning has been issued is 96%. Violation penalties are as follows:

• 1st Violation - Warning
• 2nd Violation - $50.00
• 3rd Violation - $100.00
• 4th Violation - $350.00

Subsequent violations will increase $250.00 each occurrence. Penalty fees will be applied to your account. Avoid unwanted violations by routinely checking your sprinkler system timers to ensure your system is running at the proper times. Lightning strikes, power outages and power surges are known to reset your programming to the original factory settings, especially in timers without a battery back-up.

Non-Irrigation Season                                    
November – March

Winter Stage - Twice per Month

Odd Addresses

• 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month

Even Addresses

• 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month

Time Allowed

• Maximum of two hours per day

Time of Day

• Customer Discretion

Other Guidelines

• Hand watering of lawns is allowed only on assigned days and times
• Car washing allowed with positive shut-off nozzle
• No sod/seed permits issued

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Stage 4 - No outside watering

• No car washing permitted
• No sod/seed permits issued
• General Manager has the authority to enter Stage 4

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Common Areas

Large areas that cannot be irrigated within a two-hour timeframe.

Examples

• Apartments, commercial complexes, parks and open space

Watering Schedule

• Use odd address watering schedule

Time Allowed

• Based on sprinkler type
  • Rotors: 45 minutes per zone
  • Pop-ups: 15 minutes per zone

Watering Times

• Before 9 a.m. / After 6 p.m.
• No watering between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m

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Flowers, Trees, Shrubs, and Gardens

Hand watering with a positive shut-off nozzle or use of a drip system permitted during any Stage, with the exception of Stage 4

Watering Days

• Any Day

Watering Times

• During Irrigation Season: Before 9 a.m. / 6 p.m.
• During Non-Irrigation Season: Customer Discretion

Time Allowed

• 60 minutes

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Exemptions                                                             

Athletic/Playing Fields

Three-day per week watering is permitted for athletic or playing fields for child safety. This exemption requires a written request and approval on file.

Irrigation Maintenance

Irrigation maintenance may be performed any day at any time under the following guidelines:

Residential

• System must not be run more than 10 minutes per zone per week for maintenance
• Attendant must be onsite and visible throughout the entire maintenance process

Commercial

• System must not be run more than 10 minutes per zone per week for maintenance
• Attendant must be onsite and a sign indicating irrigation maintenance is being performed must be posted and visible from a public street throughout the entire maintenance process