Polson implements water restrictions

The city of Polson implemented odd/even water restrictions across the municipality Aug. 1 in response to prolonged drought conditions.

“We thought this would be a good first step to hopefully head off having to do any more serious restrictions this summer, but it should go a long way to getting those tanks to recover more fully,” said City Manager Ed Meece.

These rules limit the amount of watering done by allowing residents of odd numbered addresses to water on only odd-numbered days while residents of even numbered addresses do the same on even days.

Households are now capped to watering three hours maximum per day between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Customers may only water during one of those times per allotted day.

Automatic sprinklers may only operate between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. with the same address requirements attached.

This notice is in effect immediately and will be distributed around the city through “traditional and social media, door hangers, and discussions with private irrigation services.”

All rules are subject to citations and fines if a customer is found intentionally violating or repeatedly violating the city’s emergency ordinance.

Flathead Lake has seen continuous drops in its water level over the summer, peaking at a full pool of 2,893 feet in June and dropping by roughly two feet since then. Gov. Greg Gianforte has sought a federal drought declaration for several counties, including Lake, with support from the state’s Congressional delegation, as well as Lake County commissioners.

But Meece said that Polson’s water restrictions are unrelated to Flathead Lake’s water level. Municipal water is drawn from wells replenished by underground aquifers near the lake, he said.

“We went well over a month without rain,” Meece said. “When you go well over a month without it raining, you have a situation where normal water usage, in addition to folks trying to keep grass and vegetables green and healthy, the combination of those lead you to a place where demand is outstripping your ability to replace supply.”

The most recent water restrictions implemented in Polson were in 2021 when the city shut off water for 12 hours to 60 Polson residents due to prolonged drought and well issues.

For more information on the restrictions or questions about water usage during this time, call 406-883-8201 or visit cityofpolson.com.