Despite recent rains, the City of Oak Ridge North has implemented voluntary water restrictions, meaning residents are asked to water their lawns two days per week and only during suggested hours.

The implementation of Stage 1 restrictions by the city council during its June 11 meeting comes after the city's water distribution system pumped more than 1 millions gallons per day for three consecutive days. Oak Ridge North's contingency plan for such usage calls for the Stage 1 restrictions.

"The rain helped [the city's water usage] go back down, but usage is back up again," said Frank Miller, director of public works.

Through Stage 1 restrictions, residents with even numbered street addresses are asked to water their lawns only on Sundays and Thursdays, while residents with odd numbered addresses are asked only to water on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Suggested watering times for all residents is between midnight and 10 a.m., and 8 p.m. to midnight.

The goal of the restrictions is to reduce the city's water usage by 15 percent, Miller said.