Indy, Zionsville to lift watering bans Wednesday - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

The recent rainfall has led the City of Indianapolis to lift its watering ban. The ban will be lifted at noon on Wednesday, September 5, 2012. It went into effect on July 13.

The lifting of the ban is exactly what business owners like Danny Spiczenski, owner of Indiana Roof Cleaning Company, needed to hear.

"A lot of our clients have held off and wanted us to hold off and worried about getting in trouble with the county," Spiczenski said.

Mayor Greg Ballard reminds residents that they are still under a voluntary ban. But the lifting of the mandatory ban means residents will not be fined for watering their lawns.

"I am pleased to lift the water ban with the strong word of caution that residents continue to be judicious in their water use," said Mayor Ballard. "Despite recent heavy rains, it falls upon everyone to work together and follow Citizens' voluntary conservation recommendations to keep demand low."

"Since we are going into fall, where it's not going to be as warm, people won't be as inclined to irrigate," said Citizens Energy spokesperson Sarah Holsapple.

"I will conserve, you know, I see that with the drought going on, we should all be practicing it," said Indianapolis resident Nailah Rowan.

Citizens Energy asks that you follow these guidelines:

· Residents and businesses should limit watering of established lawns and trees to once per week.
· New sod and seed should only be watered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
· Residents are asked not to wash cars or use hoses to clean sidewalks, driveways or other surfaces.

See the mayor's executive order here.

Town officials in Zionsville announced they will terminate their watering ban at the same time Wednesday (Sept. 5), with similar guidelines to the ones Citizens Energy laid out for Indianapolis residents.

Central Indiana saw around two inches of rain from the remnants of Isaac over Labor Day weekend, with higher amounts in some areas like Marion and Gas City.

The city and Citizens Energy group have been monitoring water tables to help make a decision. Morse Reservoir is down 5.36 feet from full; Geist is down 1.61 feet and Eagle Creek is down 3.27 feet.

Lifting the ban means some businesses going back to work, including those who use pressure washers and lawn care companies that use water.