What do permanent water restrictions mean for Wichita-area businesses?

Every-other-day watering will begin soon for most Wichita Water customers, but some businesses are exempt from the restrictions.

City water customers have been under Stage 2 of the city’s drought response plan for more than a year now. That stage limited watering to once a week. Starting Monday, Sept. 15, the restrictions will change to allow every-other-day watering.

The new restrictions allow addresses ending in odd numbers to water Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, while even addresses can water Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. No watering is allowed on Mondays. Additionally, watering is only allowed before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

These restrictions do not apply for those who use well water or other non-potable water sources.

What businesses are exempt from the new water restrictions?

All businesses that are currently exempt from Stage 2 restrictions, including those that “generate their core economic activity from usage of outdoor water,” will be exempt from the new permanent restrictions, the city said.

That includes golf courses, car washes, nurseries, landscaping companies and sod suppliers.

“They are not restricted to the three days a week,” Public Works Director Gary Janzen said during a recent town hall. “They can still water every day of the week just as they could during our formal drought restrictions.”

The city’s website said other businesses “identified by the City Manager” are also exempt; the office has yet to make additional exemptions.

The city said businesses that are just watering their outdoor lawns will not be exempt from the restrictions.

“They will be held to the same odd/even day watering conservation plan schedule as all other water users,” the city said in an email.

Lindsay Smith contributed to this report.

This story was originally published September 11, 2025 at 12:28 PM.