Havre water restrictions still in place

Filed Aug. 8, 2024

Updated Aug. 5, 2024

City of Havre announced limited nonessential water use is now allowed, with people living east of Fifth Avenue allowed to water lawns from 7 p.m. Tuesdays to 5 a.m. Wednesdays and people west of Fifth Avenue allowed to water lawns from 7 p.m. Thursdays to 5 a.m. Fridays. Washing cars is allowed as necessary.

The original story follows:

A ban on non-essential water use continues in Havre, although Havre Public Works reports its water storage supply was improving by the end of the week.

Chinook and Harlem reported Tuesday they do not have any restrictions in place at this time

A post on Havre Public Works Department’s Facebook page last Friday says the non-essential water use ban still is in effect, although the water storage capacity had improved since the non-essential use ban went into place.

“There is still a need for conservation for essential uses of driving water, fire suppression capabilities and hand and sanitation purposes,” the post said.

The ban was issued the afternoon of July 19, effective immediately, and will last until conditions change, the release said.

The 19 release said that the city was at risk of losing pressure, which could lead to Department of Environmental Quality issuing a do not consume order if the pressure dropped far enough,

The hot and dry conditions are leading to the water treatment plant not being able to keep up with demand, the release said, adding that that is likely to worsen with the St. Mary Diversion shut down until at least next year.

The ban prohibits most non-essential uses and restricts outdoor watering to hand watering only.

Banned non-essential water uses include watering lawn grass, filling swimming pools and other water recreation devices, washing hard surfaces like driveways or sidewalks, vehicles, and other activities that do not protect health and safety. Hand watering (not with sprinklers) of gardens, trees planted in 2024, and sod that was installed after June 20, 2024 is permitted under conservative water use.