Water ban lifting in Indianapolis - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Starting today, you can water your lawn if you live in Marion County. The two-month watering ban is coming to an end. But there are still some restrictions in place.

Those restrictions, by noon today, will only be voluntary. Mayor Greg Ballard is asking the people of Indianapolis to water only once a week.

But after a summer-long drought that turned lawns brown, and a water ban that's lasted two months, lawns are starting to turn around and green up.  And the city and Citizens Water now say it's okay to water your lawn.

Part of the reason is the recent rain. Another is the change of seasons.

"Since we are going into fall where its not going to be as warm, people won't be as inclined to irrigate," according to Sarah Holsapple of Citizens Energy Group.

The voluntary restrictions are designed to maintain reservoir levels:

• Water lawns only once a week. A new yard with sod or seed is okay to water on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 
• Residents are also asked to not wash cars or use hoses to clean outside. But again, that's voluntary.

Brownsburg ban also lifted Wednesday:

The Town of Brownsburg is also lifting mandatory restrictions on non-essential watering. That goes into effect at 6:00 pm Wednesday.

The town says it's pumping on average 700,000 gallons per day less than before the restrictions went into effect. The recent rainfall has allowed towers to maintain adequate levels to lift the ban.

The town issued 66 notices of violation during the watering ban.

Carmel:

Citizens Water customers in Carmel were also under the watering ban that affected Indianapolis. That is lifted as of noon Wednesday.

Fishers ban lifted Saturday:

The Town of Fishers will lift its watering ban on Saturday, Sept. 8. That order, in place since July 12, applied to all Fishers residents receiving water from sources other than wells.

Voluntary water use restrictions are still in place. Fishers says mandatory restrictions could return if voluntary restrictions are not effective and dry weather re-emerges.

Voluntary ban 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

Greenwood:

The watering ban for Johnson County and the City of Greenwood has been lifted as of August 27, 2012.

If you are unsure if you're under a watering ban, contact your water company.

Whitestown lifts Mandatory Outdoor Watering Restrictions

Whitestown:@

The watering ban for Whitestown was lifted at noon Sept. 5.

The mandatory water restrictions, which included a ban on lawn watering, irrigation and other unessential water uses, are being lifted because of reduced water consumption and recent rainfalls that have contributed to stabilizing water levels at water reservoirs operated by Citizens Water of Indianapolis.

Voluntary water use restrictions are still needed to ensure that the local water resources are fully recharged by next spring. If dry weather reemerges next year and the voluntary water use restrictions are not effective, mandatory restrictions could return. Therefore, Whitestown is asking customers to continue voluntarily limiting water use in the following ways:

• 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.