Kind reminders shared for Summer Season

Summer has officially arrived and the City of Norman wishes you a season of safe, fun and memorable activities! 

As temperatures rise, residents are also offered kind and lawful reminders when it comes to pool discharge, proper disposal of yard waste, and irrigation. Adhering to such reminders helps to protect neighbors, wildlife and precious natural resources. Please see below.

POOL DISCHARGE

High levels of salt, chlorine, and other chemicals found in pools can harm aquatic wildlife and vegetation. Pool owners can help protect our community waters:

  • Drain your saltwater pool to the sanitary sewer.

  • Make sure your chlorinated pool is chlorine-free before discharging to a grassy area, the storm sewer or sanitary sewer cleanout.

  • Remember to be mindful of your neighbors when draining your pool.

GRASS CLIPPINGS

Blowing grass clippings into the street may seem harmless but grass carried by rainwater can cause pollution in creeks and streams, and also contribute to flooding in our neighborhoods. You can help by:

  • Mulching your grass and blowing the clippings back onto your lawn.
  • Composting your yard waste (grass, leaves, twigs, or hedge clippings).

By taking these simple steps, you can help prevent flooding caused by debris in storm drains; pollutants in our waterways (nitrogen, phosphorus, yard chemicals that are in yard waste); and the growth of harmful levels of algae in Lake Thunderbird.

Those who prefer not to leave clippings on the lawn or prefer not to compost at home should set out clippings to be collected on Yard Waste Day.

ODD/EVEN IRRIGATION

Water demand typically increases during summer months. Peaking water demands can tax the City’s water supply and can create lower water pressure. Water customers should be conscious of water use and practice odd/even watering for outside irrigation and watering practices to reduce the peak effect.

Under an odd/even watering schedule, houses with addresses ending with an odd number can water on odd numbered days; houses with addresses ending with an even number can water on even numbered calendar days. This alternating watering schedule significantly reduces the peak effect of everyone wanting to water at the same time. Odd/even irrigation practices and water conservation measures assures there is enough water to maintain system pressures and fight fires.

Note that handheld watering can occur at any home on any day.

###