Fairhope residents are being prohibited from using extra water in a conservation effort after a public utility well experienced a mechanical failure.

An “urgent repair” is needed to the Fairhope Public Utilities well, and the city has enacted Phase III of the water conservation ordinance for all customers of the city utility service. The loss has decreased the city’s water capacity by about 1 million gallons, according to a news release from the city. Currently, water usage stands at 9.4 million gallons.

Based on the ordinance, Phase III includes these mandatory rules:

• Irrigation is prohibited;
• Washing private vehicles is prohibited on Friday, Saturday and Sunday;
• Swimming pools can be filled by users with odd-numbered addresses on Monday and Wednesday; even-numbered addresses can fill pools on Tuesday and Thursday;
• Washing sidewalks, streets, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or paved areas is prohibited except by the Street Department or Fire Department to alleviate health or fire hazards; and
• Taking water from a fire hydrant is prohibited without written permission from the City of Fairhope.

Customers found to be in violation of the mandatory phases may be issued a citation and required to appear before a municipal judge. Fines could be up to $500.

For more information, call Fairhope Public Utilities at (251) 928-8003.