Polson’s water ordinance, effective June 10 to Sept. 30 each year, restricts residential watering to every other day with three hours maximum. Although the city isn't facing a water shortage, the ordinance aims to keep it that way by optimizing water usage and minimizing waste.

Some residents, however, have expressed concern about tanker trucks pulling up to city fire hydrants and filling their massive tanks with water several times a day.

Polson City Manager Ed Meece explained the nuts and bolts of tanker trucks and how they pay for their loads of water. The city owns five meters which can be affixed to fire hydrants, and allow the city to monitor and charge for the water that goes into those tankers, typically for construction projects.

Since summertime is construction time, there can be as many as a dozen companies vying to use those meters. Users must first come into Polson City Hall and fill out paperwork for the use of a meter, according to Meece. City staff will routinely drive by the meters and make sure they are still attached to the specified hydrants.

Polson city workers read the meters manually each month and whoever had the meter signed out pays for the water.

Meece asked Ashley Walker, head of Polson’s Public Works Department, to compare pricing between residential users and construction companies or other businesses buying water.

For a residential, three-quarter inch line, homeowners pay $17 for 5,000 gallons of water, Walker said. Construction companies use a three-inch water line and pay $120 per 5,000 gallons of water.

In an emergency arises and the Polson Fire Department needs to use the hydrant, the meter can be easily removed.

For folks who need water to fill their cisterns, the city has a coin vending machine at the skate park on 7th Ave. West. Meece said he believes that machine also takes credit cards.

The city's water ordinance is published on its website, www.cityofpolson.com/watersewer/page/water-ordinance.

    A water meter attached to a Polson fire hydrant allows the city and construction companies to buy water and keep track of the amount purchased. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)