Dry conditions and extreme heat have led at least one municipal utility to request customers use less water this week.
The Fayetteville Utilities Department has advised residential and commercial customers in east Fayetteville and Goshen to adjust their water usage, according to a news release from the city.
The city’s water system is experiencing increased demand, resulting in reduced water pressure for some customers, the release states.
The affected area is east of North Crossover Road, particularly in areas off East Mission Boulevard and East Huntsville Road, according to the release. Officials have placed restrictions on yard and landscaping irrigation to certain days and times of day:
Even-numbered addresses may irrigate between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Odd numbered addresses may irrigate between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
With hot summer temperatures and heavy demand for irrigation, usage in east Fayetteville and Goshen is high, and parts of the water system are being pushed to the limit, the release states. City officials believe adjusting morning irrigation schedules to nighttime and restricting irrigation to specific days will assist in allowing the water system to recover.
The city is also encouraging voluntary water conservation efforts by all water customers.
The National Weather Service forecast for Northwest Arkansas calls for mostly sunny week through Wednesday afternoon, when there will be a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. The forecast for Thursday, which is Independence Day, shows a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. rising to a 50% chance in the evening. High temperatures throughout the week are expected to be in the mid- to upper 90s with lows in the mid-70s.
Meanwhile, in the River Valley, temperatures are expected to be in the upper 90s this week with the possibility of reaching 100 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday. The forecast mostly calls for sunny skies with slight chances of showers or thunderstorms Thursday night through Saturday.