After having a voluntary odd/ even water schedule last week Mayor Frank Picozzi took to Facebook Monday to give an update.

“Last week the Kent County Water Authority issued a directive on outside water usage. They have gone to an odd/even system,” Picozzi said in a Facebook post. “To explain, if your house number is even, water can only be used for outdoor purposes when the date is even and of course it works the same way for odd numbers. They issued these restrictions because the levels of their holding tanks are lower than normal. The Warwick Water Department followed suit with the same restrictions.”

Picozzi said he couldn’t speak for Kent County Water but he has authority over the Warwick Water Division.

“We are experiencing moderate drought conditions and at this point  the restrictions that have been placed on our residents are largely voluntary,” the post reads. “We are asking for your cooperation in conserving water, but we will not be enforcing the restrictions.”

In an interview Monday Terry DiPetrillo the Chief for the Water Division explained that the department  monitors what guidance comes out of the Water Resources Board. When it gets to a “D2” moderate drought condition it means that a decision needs to be made.

“We monitor the drought conditions and we pull the trigger when we have to,” said DiPetrillo.

With the forecast this week  DiPetrillo said that it was decided to stay ahead of the curve by putting the voluntary water conservation into effect.

DiPetrillo said what puts the most pressure on the system isn’t using the sprinkler or watering the garden, instead its watering lawns.

DiPetrillo said for the most part it is only a voluntary water conservation time period  unless there is a level 5 drought.

“There's no actual enforcement of it unless we get into a serious, serious drought condition,” said DiPetrillo.

DiPetrillo said that it is all about trying to conserve water. He said in some parts of the country they aren’t in as good of shape pointing to California and Arizona as being in “trouble”

“We’re very fortunate to have the water system we have,” said DiPetrillo.

Picozzi in his post said he encourages people who are on city water to continue to do what they need to do during the heatwave.

“While we ask that you cut back on things like watering your lawn every day and washing your car, please continue to water your vegetable gardens and flowers,” the post reads. “Also the weather is expected to be very hot this week so if the kids want to run under the sprinkler or whatever you need to do to keep cool, don’t hesitate. If you have fundraiser carwashes, go ahead and hold them. Again, this is all for customers of the Warwick Water Department. I can’t speak for the Kent County Water Authority.”

Picozzi is also encouraging people across the city to check on their elderly or handicapped neighbors during the heatwave.