Special to the Reporter

The Mercer Island School District (MISD) began water-conservation efforts in collaboration with the city of Mercer Island in early May.

The district decreased irrigation of fields, plants, bushes and shrubs in early May and by mid-June had shut down irrigation completely except for two fields at Mercer Island High School (MIHS).

Currently, the district has limited water being applied to the junior varsity and upper north fields at MIHS. These two fields are both sand-based fields and require some water so they do not die out and become unusable for fall sports. To do this limited watering, the district consulted with city staff and identified three days of the week when flow rates are at a minimum on the Island. The district is using a limited amount of water on these two fields during these low-flow-rate days to make sure the fields are usable in the fall.

MISD also stopped all plans for outdoor pressure washing of facilities and buildings during the summer, which includes all concrete areas, walkways, sidewalks, amphitheaters and the seating area in Islander Stadium.

During the week of July 29, MISD will be conducting annual tests of its fire sprinkler systems in schools- and district-owned fire hydrants on school campuses.

This testing is being done with the city’s current water-conservation efforts in mind. MISD has a vendor performing the testing on the sprinklers and hydrants and they are aware of the Island’s current water-conservation efforts and they will minimize the water flow rates during this testing where and when possible.

The testing of both sprinklers and hydrants is required for occupancy of the district’s buildings and the safety of its students and staff.