Friend having a sprinkler party-while we're on water restriction-would you object?

[lecach]

One of my Mommy friends is having a playdate this Sunday. She's inviting a bunch of other moms and their kids. She's setting up sprinklers, a slip n slide, and baby pools.

The thing is - we're under water restrictions right now. No sprinklers except on Wednesday and Saturday from 5-8 a.m. and 5-8 p.m. I know where she lives so I know she's under the same restrictions. This is the 2nd time she's done this. Part of me wants to say something about it. I mean our city almost ran out of water due to the drought here in N.C. But no one else seems to be saying anything. And at least a dozen other moms have RSVP'd.

Would you say anything?


Here are the specific guidelines:
Stage III of the ordinance incorporates practices in Stage I and II and sets the level of conservation efforts to require the following Mandatory Measures:

Customers may water lawns, grass, trees, shrubbery, flowers, golf greens or vegetable gardens on Wednesdays and Saturdays ONLY, between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. OR 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Customers may only water during ONE of the allowed times each Wednesday and Saturday.

Do NOT wash down outside areas such as sidewalks, patios, driveways, or for other similar purposes.

Do NOT introduce water into wading pools or swimming pools except to the extent necessary to replenish losses due to evaporation or spillage, and maintain operation of chemical feed equipment. Special consideration may also be given for one-time draining, refilling, maintenance, and cleaning activities for both community and private pools.

Do NOT serve water in a restaurant or similar establishment except upon request.

Do NOT use water for any unnecessary purpose or intentionally waste water.

Do NOT wash the exterior of a motor vehicle except where a private well system is used, or where 50 percent or more of the water is recycled or where it can be demonstrated that 30 gallons of water or less are used to wash the vehicle.

 

[laurasmom]

I think that is very irresponsible of her. I would probably have to say something. Good luck with your decision.

 

[BigEeyore]

We're under very tight water restrictions too, so I can sympathize. I feel like it's almost unethical to do what she is doing under the cicumstances, but you don't want to ruin a friendship over it. Maybe just casually ask "Aren't you worried you might get caught by the water police?", just to be sure she is aware that what she is doing is essentially illegal, and then leave it at that.
You might as well go to the party. I see businesses that run their sprinklers during the rain - that really burns me up! One mom having some water fun for her kids is not going to tip the pendulum either way, and it is not a regular thing, so you might as well just disagree with it in private and put a smile on in public.

 

[mickeygirlnc]

I live not far from Durham, so I understand completely. My guess is that because of all the rain we've had the past couple of weeks, she's not too worried about it.

I would just enjoy the sprinkler and let her be the one to get in trouble

 

[eliza61]

One of my Mommy friends is having a playdate this Sunday. She's inviting a bunch of other moms and their kids. She's setting up sprinklers, a slip n slide, and baby pools.

The thing is - we're under water restrictions right now. No sprinklers except on Wednesday and Saturday from 5-8 a.m. and 5-8 p.m. I know where she lives so I know she's under the same restrictions. This is the 2nd time she's done this. Part of me wants to say something about it. I mean our city almost ran out of water due to the drought here in N.C. But no one else seems to be saying anything. And at least a dozen other moms have RSVP'd.

Would you say anything?


. [/COLOR]

Yep, I would. Could you say "Hey suzy, how are you getting around the water restricitons" Considering that states have been on the verge of sueing one another, this is the height or irresponsibility.

 

[badblackpug]

Horribly irresponsible, and a terrrible example for the children. I would tell her honestly that I will not be attending her party due to the water restrictions.

As for enjoying the sprinkler and letting her take the consequences: we all bear the responsiblity of saving our planet. All you have to do is look at the wildfires in California and the number of people who have lost their homes to know that drought is serious.

 

[rt2dz]

It's my opinion that she knows there are water restrictions and what they are exactly. You're not going to change her mind. If it really bothers you, I’d just RSVP (maybe by reply all, oops , if you feel you really want to send a message to everyone. Who knows, maybe she has a well. ) saying that you don't feel comfortable with it with the water restrictions, especially since they ran out of water last year and you'll pass. Hope everyone else has a good time. Then don't worry about it. You can't control others behavior.

 

[thegrimdwarf]

I would totally do the "hey - how are you getting around the water restiction...did you check with the fire department?" thing, too. Assuming she just doesn't care and is going to express that opinion, I'd let her know that you wouldn't be attending.

My kids would openly wonder why it was OK for so-and-so's mom to run the sprinkler, but not me, so it would become a bigger issue from a parenting stand-point, also. We don't have "fun" when it's against the rules. Period.

 

[disneyandme]

We are in NC too and often see people watering lawns in the middle of the night in hopes of not being caught. You can call it in to the county and let them decide what to do. It's unfair for most of us to follow the restrictions and have completely dead lawns and no pool/sprinkler time while others ignore the restrictions. It's not going to get better anytime soon in NC and people like this are only prolonging the problem.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

Another Nc resident here and I am tired of people not following the rules. I was at work the other night till 3 am (doing a stage set at Disney Store!) and on the way home I saw at least 5 yards with sprinklers going! It is ridiculous! All for a green lawn. My lawn was beautiful this spring and now it is half dead and half weed and I don't care. I would rather have water to drink!

I would say something in a non-condescending way. I wouldn't go, that's for sure because it would infuriate me more to see all that water wasting away!

And our restrictions are even worse down in the Charlotte area... (not charlotte, near though).. we can't water our yards at all! We can use a hand held device to water plants, trees, ect on tues and Sat. Buckets can be used any day to water plants. I only water my vegetables if it doesn't rain for 2 days.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

We are in NC too and often see people watering lawns in the middle of the night in hopes of not being caught. You can call it in to the county and let them decide what to do. It's unfair for most of us to follow the restrictions and have completely dead lawns and no pool/sprinkler time while others ignore the restrictions. It's not going to get better anytime soon in NC and people like this are only prolonging the problem.

Hey! Where are you in NC? Looks like we are heading to Disney 3 days apart!

 

[disneyandme]

Charlotte area too!

 

[missj1975]

Would I say anything?

Absolutely but as nicely as possible. I wouldn't go to the party either because you would just be supporting her bad behavior.

 

[imthatgirl]

are you 100% sure she doesnt have well water?

we have a water restriction here, but many people have wells, so they can use all the water they want.

i would still send my child.

 

[lecach]

I will see the friend tomorrow night at another event. I think I will do the casual "hey - how are you getting around the water restiction...did you check with the fire department?" that someone recommended.

Thanks everyone - I am glad I am not the only one that would be concerned. It's definately not something that I want to ruin a friendship over but I think something has to be said.

 

[lecach]

are you 100% sure she doesnt have well water?

we have a water restriction here, but many people have wells, so they can use all the water they want.

.

I would be VERY surprised. She is in the city limits in a fairly new neighborhood. Most people around here don't have wells unless they are in the more rural areas that don't have City water.

 

[disprincessatheart]

We're outside of Raleigh - My DH actually called a hotline to report our neighbor who was watering his lawn daily. We've had lots of rain this month, but we're still in a drought.

 

[rt2dz]

My parents are in the city limits and they put in a well to keep their water bill down. They only use city water for drinking. They, too, get to ignore water restrictions when in place.

We're looking to move into a new neighborhood and will be putting in a well as the house is being built.


Hey, maybe that is a less confrontational way to ask. Rather than asking about having called the fire department, you could ask if she is getting around the restriction because she has a well. If she says no, then you can decline because you don't want to confuse your child since she can't have sprinklers on at home. She'll get the hint and it should be innocent enough you don't put the friendship in jeopardy.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

One thing about a well is that in a drought, wellls dry up too. Just because one has a well doesn't mean they should be wasting water. We convinced our neighborhood to stop watering common areas because it was wasteful during a drought. Water has to come from somewhere, and once it starts drying up everyone loses out.

 

[imthatgirl]

One thing about a well is that in a drought, wellls dry up too. Just because one has a well doesn't mean they should be wasting water. We convinced our neighborhood to stop watering common areas because it was wasteful during a drought. Water has to come from somewhere, and once it starts drying up everyone loses out.

whether they should be wasting water or not if they have a well is only the business of the home owner. if you have a well its a private water source not a public one, so they can use and abuse all they wish.