As the season gets colder and temperatures reach freezing, homeowners and businesses need to be conscious of using irrigation systems.
According to the city codes department, when temperatures go below 35 degrees, outdoor irrigation systems need to be turned off.
“That sprinkler water could get on the sidewalks, right in the street,” said Stuart Walker, director of the city’s Code Administration.
The general rule of thumb is to turn water systems off around Halloween, or monitor the weather for the first freeze, said the owner of Lubbock Landscaping Enterprise.
If homeowners or businesses do not do that, it could cause cars to slide, or pedestrians to slip on sidewalks, according to Walker.
“There are appropriate times to do that, and below 35 degrees is not one of those times,” he said.
If irrigation systems are left on below 35 degrees, individuals could be ticketed by the city, charged with a Class C misdemeanor and receive a $2000 fine.
Any reports of running sprinklers can be reported to the city water or codes departments by calling 775-3000 or 311.
