Lawton Goes Into Stage 3 Water Restrictions

For the first time in history the city of Lawton is enacting Stage 3 water restrictions.

Scorching temperatures and a lack of rain

have dropped the combined usable water level at lakes Lawtonka, Ellsworth, and Waurika below 50-percent.

Since March, officials said Stage 2 restrictions have worked well, but Lawton has only received 8.5 inches of rain this year.  Even with the recent rain they got it was too little, too late.

Up until now, under Stage 2, residents have been able to water every other day.  Now under stage 3, watering will be restricted to Wednesday and Saturdays between midnight and 9:00a.m.  The city has tough penalties in place for those who don't follow the restrictions.   The first offense can result in a $750 fine.

Under the Stage 3 emergency, businesses like car washes and nurseries will be exempt from the restrictions.

Starting November 1^st, outdoor watering times move to the hours of 11:00a.m. and 3:00p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.