TIME-OF-DAY WATERING RESTRICTIONS END THURSDAY News Release Contact: Christina Montoya, Vice President-Marketing and Communication 915-594-5596 (office), e-mail: cmontoya@epwu.org Date: September 28, 2009 EL PASO – El Pasoans can water their lawns at any time on designated days beginning Thursday, Oct. 1, when time-of-day watering restrictions end. The watering days schedule will remain in effect. The water conservation ordinance allows outdoor watering at any time on designated watering days between Oct. 1 and March 31. Customers with even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays.  Those with odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays, Fridays or Sundays. Landscape irrigation for parks, schools, cemeteries, golf courses and industrial sites is permitted on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays. Since the ordinance was adopted in 1991, El Paso residents have reduced water waste by taking shorter showers, repairing leaky faucets, and adopting other water-saving habits. At the same time, they’ve installed water-efficient plumbing fixtures and appliances and planted low-water use landscapes. Per person water use, which averaged nearly 200 gallons per day in 2000, averaged only 133 gallons per day last year. Indoor conservation results in less water flowing into wastewater treatment plants. This allows El Paso Water Utilities to postpone planned plant expansions, which saves rate payers millions of dollars in capital and financing costs. Reduced water use also impacts pumping in the Hueco Bolson aquifer. Pumping peaked in 1989, and El Paso is now pumping at quantities last seen in the late 1960s despite steady population growth. El Paso Water Utilities is known throughout the country for its comprehensive water conservation programs. The utility's goal is to maintain reductions in water use through education and advances in technology.