Jefferson Water & Sewer District (JWSD)
Implements Mandatory Outdoor Watering Restrictions
May 4, 2026
The Jefferson Water & Sewer District (JWSD) Board of Trustees passed Resolution 2026-16 on April 16, 2026, implementing a mandatory alternating outdoor watering regulation for all residential users. The regulation is effective immediately, but the District’s Summer Watering Period is effective between May 15th – October 15th of each year. Effective May 15, 2026, the summer outdoor watering regulation will be in effect.
Based on a customer’s address, watering will only be permitted on alternating days in an effort to normalize the outdoor water use for all customers over each week. Water conservation is critically important, and during hot, dry summer days outdoor watering causes production at the water treatment plant to increase by as much as 70%, which is very close to its maximum production capacity. Outdoor watering should be secondary to potable water used for drinking, cooking, bathing/showering, and for sanitary purposes.
For customers with an odd house address (ending in 1-3-5-7-9), watering is permitted on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays only. For even numbered addresses (ending in 2-4-6-8-0), watering is permitted on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only. No customer may water outside on Mondays. Watering is also prohibited between the hours of 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM, when solar evaporation is the highest and the water doesn’t have the ability to reach grass roots.
There are some exceptions, including hand-watering of flower beds, vegetable gardens, and potted plants with a hose, which is permitted on any day. Over seeding or spot patching of existing established yards can also be watered on any day with a hand-controlled hose. All hand-controlled watering must be completed without the use of continuous, automatic spray assistance. Newly sodded or seeded yards will be exempt from the odd-even restriction for a period of two weeks from the date of installation.
Penalties for violating the alternating day watering restrictions will include customer fines. Unpaid fines will be treated similarly to unpaid utility bills, which includes the enforcement of water shut-off procedures as established in the JWSD Code of Regulations. Penalties for violations are:
- First Violation: Written Warning (Letter)
- Second Violation: $100.00 Fine
- Third Violation: $250.00 Fine
- Fourth Violation: $500.00 Fine
- Fifth & Subsequent Violations: $500 Fine and Forfeiture of Deduct Meter Credit (if applicable)*
* Deduct meter credit forfeiture will continue for remainder of calendar year
- Only one (1) written warning will be issued for violators.
- A maximum of one violation can be assessed in any seven (7) calendar day period.
Rain Barrel Reimbursement Program
JWSD also implemented a Rain Barrel Reimbursement Program to promote water conservation. Rain barrels are an efficient way to collect and reuse rainwater, thus reducing the amount of potable water used for outdoor irrigation. JWSD will provide any JWSD water customer a bill credit of up to $100 for the purchase and installation of a rain barrel for outdoor irrigation. An eligible customer must comply with all of the following to be eligible for a bill credit:
- Complete a Rain Barrel Program Participation Form and submit it to JWSD.
- Purchase, install and connect a rain barrel to a home rainwater collection system for the collection of rainwater.
- Submit a Rain Barrel Program Reimbursement Request Form and include completion photos, contractor receipts, and purchase receipts which must exceed $100 for maximum reimbursement.
- Upon approval by JWSD, JWSD will issue a bill credit for customer funds expended for the rain barrel and its installation, to a maximum of $100.
JWSD will only provide one bill credit per residential address.
JWSD understands that our customers prefer to water outside whenever they desire, but in order to maintain the ability to provide potable water for indoor uses throughout long, hot, dry periods during the summer, these outdoor watering restrictions are necessary. Water is a finite resource, and we appreciate every customer that works hard to conserve water.
Additional information on water conservation efforts can be found on the JWSD website at www.jwsd.org/water-conservation.
If you need to speak with a representative of JWSD regarding the new water restrictions, please call the JWSD Customer Service Department at (614) 864-0740.
