New water restrictions enforced in Mapleton

MAPLETON, N.D. (Valley News Live) - The city of Mapleton has set a new water usage policy that will be active from April 15th to October 31st each year in an effort to reduce excessive water usage.

The policy states that even-numbered households may only water their lawns on even dates, and odd-numbered households on odd dates. Other restrictions will only be enforced in the event of a “water emergency”. These include bans on washing sidewalks, driveways, and vehicles.

Residential water users will be charged a fee should they exceed 20,000 gallons per billing cycle. Every 1,000 gallons over the 20,000 limit will cost $15. Those in violation of the restriction will receive one written warning per year. Violations after that warning will result in the disconnection of the user’s water supply and a $500 fee.

City Council member Nick Thorton says that the policy is a reflection of Mapleton’s water supplier- Cass Rural Water- and their reduction of available resources due to the past few years of drought.