Overflows & Shutdowns

One of the most challenging things the irrigation company is faced with during watering season is managing our overflow. At times, there is water at different locations as seen in the ditches. Sometimes we hear this referred to as extra water.

We make every effort to schedule all water and distribute it proportionally. There is no such thing as extra or excess water. When the company schedules the water, every bit that is available is scheduled. We consider any scheduled water to take priority use over overflow water. We operate on a “flow” system with no storage and, as a result, if a shareholder does not use his/her water at the scheduled time, they cannot make it up. It is use or lose.

There are only three reasons for overflow to occur:

1. The springs are increasing faster than anticipated.

2. The users of scheduled water have, for some reason, chosen not to turn on (i.e., a cold storm).

3. Due to a breakdown, some part of the system is shut off temporally.

It is the policy of Fountain Green Irrigation Co. that, during any one of these occurrences, the water master may choose, at his discretion, to allocate this type of water out to shareholders in order to best use the water we have. It will be distributed using a first-come-first-serve basis following the guidelines listed below.

The amount anyone receives will be calculated by amount and time. This type of water has to be managed on an hour-to-hour basis because it can change rapidly. Since scheduled water must take priority over overflow, the Board has established that the following conditions be met by shareholders prior to receiving any of this type water.

1. Shareholder must contact the water master and have his/her name put on this list. They must have extra pipe and be able to have it running within the hour.

2. The water master must be able to contact shareholder and have him/her respond to his request to turn on or off within an hour. Voicemail or an answering machine will not suffice for this. We must be able to contact a person and have them respond within an hour. Shareholder must meet these conditions prior to putting his/her name on the list. It is not the water masters job to turn on and off water for this purpose.

Concerning “Shut-Downs” of any section of the system, it is the policy of Fountain Green Irrigation Company that, when a break or problem occurs that requires a portion of the system to be shut down, the Water Master will turn off the portion of the system where the break occurred without notification to the shareholders who are affected and shall make repairs as quickly as possible. Once the repair is completed, the affected system shall be turned on at the discretion of the Water Master depending on the scope of the repair (i.e., if the repair has required the use of glue, the system will have to remain off for a minimum of 6 hours). It shall be the duty of the Water Master to notify the President or members of the board of the Irrigation Company of any such shutdowns. The Irrigation Company will try to keep current with regard to any problems or repairs.

No shareholder shall turn on or off any irrigation line without having first contacted the Water Master or a member of the Board and getting their consent.

Fountain Green Irrigation Company, Inc

Overflows & Shutdowns