The Selma Times-Journal

The sparse rainfall over the weekend has not been enough. Selmians are now under watering restrictions.

Effective today watering usage outside is prohibited.

Officials at Selma Water & Sewer Works insist the water supply is still more than adequate, but the recent drought conditions precipitate everyone cuts back – at least until there’s significant precipitation.

“We’re trying to make sure we have sufficient water,” said Robert Bridges, water division superintendent. “It’s just been a while since we’ve had sufficient rain.”

The Selma Water Works recently wrapped up a $48,000 improvement project on its one million gallon water tank on Summerfield Road near Woodrow Avenue. A Kentucky firm was awarded the contract to replace 127 feet of pipe, but that didn’t affect the city’s water supply. Water works experts say the lack of rain might.

“Two inches of rain in two days wouldn’t help. It would just run off,” Bridges said. “We need a sustained rain in our area. It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if it rained everyday for a month. If we get a sustained rain over the next month, we might lift the regulations.”

Last month the Selma area received about a tenth of an inch. The month before that, Selma got one inch of rain. According to the National Weather Service the area is void of about 14 inches of rainfall this year.

Bridges said the water restrictions are to ensure Selma’s water supply “won’t be in danger.”

The restrictions outline days of the week for watering or irrigation:

Saturday and Sunday: No use of water outside.

Monday: Customers south of Highland Avenue, west of Summerfield Road. Customers north of Highland Avenue and east of Summerfield Road.

Tuesday: Customers north of Highland Avenue, west of Summerfield Road. Customers south of Highland Avenue, east of Lapsley Street

Wednesday: No use of water outside.

Thursday: Customers south of Highland Avenue, west of Summerfield Road. Customers north of Highland Avenue, east of Summerfield Road.

Friday: Customers north of Highland Avenue, west of Summerfield Road. Customers south of Highland Avenue, east of Lapsley Street.