Avoid the Peak!
Peak Demand Management

Sprinkler Meter Customers
Zip Codes 72135, 72211, 72212, and 72223

Re-set Your Automatic Sprinkler System to Avoid the Peak 5:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.

In the Little Rock-North Little Rock metropolitan area, we are blessed with an abundant supply of safe, high-quality, and affordable drinking water.  This notice is just a reminder for you — if you have an automatic sprinkler system and you are within U.S. Postal Zip Codes 72135, 72211, 72212, and 72223 — to set your sprinkler system timer outside the hours of 5:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. to Avoid the Peak! Central Arkansas Water (CAW) is requesting only that you alter when you water and not the amount that you water.

As temperatures rise during the lawn-and-garden season so does the demand for water.  During the summer months, we sometimes operate distribution facilities at or near capacity for extended periods because so many of our automatic lawn sprinklers come on at the same time — usually between the hours of 5:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. weekday mornings.  This time also is household rush-hour, when we are busy showering, cooking, doing laundry, and getting ready for the day.

Operating the distribution pipeline system at or near capacity for extended periods could result in low pressure in your neighborhood.  Simply by not watering your lawn between the hours of 5:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. weekday mornings, you can help CAW to manage peak demand periods, avoid undue stress on our public water system, and ensure adequate water pressure for your neighbors and you.  You also will help to keep down expensive capital costs for increased distribution capacity. With your help each summer, we can keep our water supply safe, dependable, and affordable.  So Avoid the Peak!  If you have questions, please call 501.377.1331.

The Facts on Peak Water Use

“Peak” water use describes the time of year when residential water use is at its highest, usually in early August, depending on where you live.

Because there are many regional variations in weather and outdoor water use, there is no national peak water use day.

Peak seasonal water use is typically three to five times as much as winter water use. It’s a great time to find new ways to save water inside and outside your home.

The average American home uses about 260 gallons of water per day; however, during peak season the same household can use about 1,000 gallons of water in a day.

In some instances peak daily use can be as high as 3,000 gallons a day—more than 10 times the average daily use. That's equivalent to a garden hose running open for nearly 8 hours or enough water to supply the same home for sixteen days!

Peak hourly use usually occurs between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., with a secondary peak between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

We can all reduce our peak water use—and utility bills—by watering only as needed, washing full loads of laundry, and using more efficient plumbing fixtures.

WaterSense labeled toilets and faucets are helping consumers use less water in their bathrooms, even during peak water use season.

In fact, in 2008, WaterSense labeled products helped consumers save more than 9.3 billion gallons of water and more than $55 million in water and sewer bills. That’s enough water to supply 100,000 average households for a year.