Carmel Utilities asks for conservation

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) - People in Carmel may notice a difference in their water as a result of the heat. The water won’t be as soft.

Most of the time, the city softens its water before sending it to customers. That service has been suspended because the process uses so much water. Sue Maki, manager of customer relations and education for Carmel Utilities, said with demand as high as it is, the city wants all available water to go to customers.

Carmel Utilities has suspended the service in the past. But, Maki said, it’s been for such a limited time that no one noticed. Now, based on the current forecast, this suspension in softening will last a while. It means the water coming from Carmel faucets will be no different than the water coming from utilities elsewhere in Indiana.

Carmel Utilities also asks its customers to reduce their demand for water. Tuesday night, the city sent a news release saying its request is designed “to maintain sufficient water pressure for our customers and to ensure adequate fire protection.”

It’s asking customers to “be judicious in their use of water, particularly in watering lawns and native landscape plants.” The release seeks to assure customers that yards “can go for longer periods of time without water than what is commonly believed.”

The release also makes the following recommendations:

• Reduce the settings on irrigation system to give the minimal amount of water needed for your lawn. Most lawns in Indiana only need 1 to 1-1/2 inches of water a week.
• Adjust sprinkler heads to avoid watering of sidewalks, driveways and the street.
• Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full.
• Temporarily forego power washing and hosing down of outside sidewalks, furniture, decks etc.
• Cover pools to reduce evaporation.

“Each resident is asked to evaluate their individual landscape and lawn situation to determine the appropriate amount of watering needed,” Carmel Utilities said.