RONAN — With the construction of a new main water pipe underway, the Ronan City Council established water restrictions at this week's city council meeting in an effort to alleviate strains on the city's system as repairs and construction are being made.

According to emergency restriction ordinance 7-1-1127, the Mayor, "in cases of emergency, whenever the public safety, health or the equitable distribution so demands, may prohibit irrigating or the sprinkling of lawns except at designated times."

Houses with an odd address can water their lawn on odd numbered days, and houses with an even number can water on even days. Only early morning sprinkling or night time sprinkling is allowed between the hours of 6 to 9 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m.

Landlords are responsible for the water charges assessed against property owned by them. When no tenant is in possession, landlords may request that the water commissioner terminate water service to that property.

Users violating these rules shall be given notice by the Water Department.

Should a violation be repeated or continued, the user may be fined not less than $5 or more than $10 and may be required to install a meter and be billed according to the meter rate schedule, according to the ordinance.

The City shall waive the cost of separate service for consumers for commercial sprinkler systems for fire suppression purposes.

As for the water pipe, the new eight inch pipe is on hand and efforts are underway to finalize a line for placement for the pipe. It is expected that the project will begin in the next two weeks with construction lasting no more than 14 days. The pipe began to break last month after heavy rains caused flooding and increased debris in the Ronan area.