With spring planting season approaching, the City of Wichita is reminding residents that drought restrictions are still in effect, with outdoor watering limited to one day a week.

The city remains in Stage 2 of its drought response plan, and Public Works Director Gary Janzen said projections have the city staying in stage two for the rest of the year, assuming that the area gets normal spring rainfall. The plan is driven by the conservation level at Cheney Reservoir, which is the main source of the city’s drinking water, and it has been at seven-and-a-half feet below normal. Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said during her weekly news conference Thursday that going to stage three is not off the table. That would call for a ban on all outdoor watering.

Mayor Wu is calling on all water customers for homes and businesses to cut back on water usage as much as possible, and while the restrictions do not affect people with water wells, she is encouraging them to cut back as well.

Janzen said Wichita residents are encouraged to be prudent about what they are planting this spring, but there is nothing that is being banned at this time. He said the stage two restrictions will continue to be enforced and there will be no exemptions. He says there is information on the website safewichitawater.com on the best grasses and plants that would allow one-day-a-week watering to be effective.