City officials in Kalispell announced Thursday that the high demand for water has triggered Stage 1 water restrictions and called for residents to voluntarily reduce water consumption until at least August.

Officials have spoken with top irrigation users to encourage them to use water more efficiently, according to a statement released by City Hall. The Parks Department, meanwhile, will reduce the duration it irrigates parks by 25%.

Officials hope that putting out the notice will reduce customer demand and avoid the triggering of mandatory water restrictions throughout the summer. The city will also be sharing water conservation tips over its social media channels, according to the statement.

If demand outpaces supply at levels deemed “non-maintainable,” officials with the Public Works Department have the authority to enable mandatory restrictions, including the implementation of a watering schedule, under which private property owners would be allowed to irrigate their land only on alternating days as determined by their address.

If demand were to reach the “non-sustainable” threshold, the city could prohibit all outdoor water use.

The Public Works Department was given the authority to implement restrictions through a 90-day emergency ordinance passed by Kalispell City Council last month.

Council passed a similar temporary ordinance last summer. Although demand briefly reached non-maintainable levels, the city’s water reserve levels were such that officials opted against triggering the mandatory restrictions, according to Public Works Director Susie Turner.

Turner cited the Noffsinger Spring, the city’s oldest well, being taken offline in 2021 as a reason for diminished water capacity. The city is evaluating how and when to retrofit the facility while it adds additional capacity through the upcoming North Main Well.

The North Main Well project is expected to begin construction this summer.

Reporter Adrian Knowler can be reached at 758-4407 or [email protected].

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