LCUB Continues Alternate Irrigation
Plenty of Water, just want them to alternate days’

Adam Delahoussaye news-herald.net

In June of 2024, the Lenoir City Utilities Board passed a new Alternate Irrigation Policy that went into effect on Jan. 1.

LCUB said the purpose of the policy is to alleviate pressure on peak usage times, as well as raise the minimum pressure levels and flow within Lenoir City’s water distribution system.

‘IT’S JUST COMMON SENSE’

According to a statement sent to LCUB customers, the move was designed to “delay and reduce required transmission improvements and therefore possibly minimize capital improvement costs and minimize future rate increase.”

Chris Dotson, the Manager of gas, water and sewer for the LCUB, confirmed the standard practice of the policy in an interview with The Loudon County News-Herald.

“Its super common across the country,” Dotson said. “But pretty much all the utilities around us have been doing it for longer than we have.

“It’s just common sense” The policies follow the “Beat the Peak” program implemented by the First

“They want to irrigate their lawn, and there’s plenty of water there. We just want them to alternate days.”

Utility District of Knox County. … The program is designed to alleviate utility systems, especially water and sewer, during peak usage periods that typically come early in the morning.

The release listed nine new requirements. Odd numbered addresses ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 are set to use irrigation systems only on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday mornings. Even numbered ones ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 are scheduled for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.

Street addresses that do not include numbers are grouped in with the odd numbers.

In an interview with The News-Herald, Chairman of the LCUB and Lenoir City Mayor Tony Aikens said that the policy is intended to be preventative — making sure that customers conserve water when they can.

“Most people didn’t irrigate 40 years ago,” Aikens said. “Now, you’ve got all these subdivisions that are in the system, even outside the corporate limits.

“They want to irrigate their lawn, and there’s plenty of water there. We just want them to alternate days.”

Morning irrigation is only to be done on a home’s designated day before 5 a.m. or after 7 a.m. Irrigation can occur in the evenings at any address.

The statement also provides a list of exceptions to the morning rule. Among those include implementing new seed and sod every day for 45 days, provided that the customer is able to present a receipt or proof of purchase.

Hand watering, such as with hoses or watering cans, and washing cars, houses and driveways are also on the list of exceptions LCUB provided.

The policy also does not apply to plants within greenhouses, either for commercial or hobby purposes.