Drought Contingency Plan

Under the Drought Contingency Plan adopted by the City Council on May 10, 2011, the City Manager has the authority to initiate or terminate drought response measures, as needed.

Stage 1 - Mild Water Shortage Condition - Voluntary Conservation

Customers are requested to voluntarily limit irrigation of landscaped areas, practice water conservation and minimize or discontinue water use for all non-essential purposes.

Automatic Irrigation Systems

• Applies to residential, commercial, recreational facilities and athletic fields.
• Watering Days are Sundays and Thursdays for even addresses.
• Watering Days are Saturdays and Wednesdays for odd addresses.
• Watering Hours will be after 10 p.m. and no later than 6 a.m.
• No watering to occur between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Manual Systems

Manual systems include Hose-end sprinklers, hand held sprinklers, soakers, drip irrigation systems.

The following steps should be followed:

• Applies to residential, commercial, recreational facilities and athletic fields.
• Watering Days are Sundays and Thursdays for even addresses.
• Watering Days are Saturdays and Wednesdays for odd addresses.
• Watering Hours are unrestricted.

Stage 2 - Moderate Water Shortage Condition

Customers are required to comply with all provisions of Stage 1 and:

• Restaurants are to serve water only on request of the customer.
• Use of water to wash down sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, etc. is prohibited.
• Use of water to wash down buildings is prohibited.
• Use of water for dust control is prohibited.
• Flushing gutters or permitting water to run in the gutter or street is prohibited.

Stage 3 - Severe Water Shortage Condition

Customers are required to comply with all provisions of Stage 2 and:

• Watering of golf courses, driving ranges and athletic fields is prohibited.
• Use of water for construction purposes from designated fire hydrants under special permit is discontinued.

Stage 4 - Critical Water Shortage Condition

Customers are required to comply with all provisions of Stages 2, 3, and:

• Use of automatic sprinkler systems and hose-end sprinklers is prohibited.
• Only hand-held hoses, hand-held buckets or drip irrigation is allowed.
• Use of water to wash vehicles at a non-commercial location is prohibited.
• Use of water to wash vehicles at commercial car washes will only be allowed between 6 - 10 a.m. and 6 - 10 p.m.
• No filling of any type of pool is allowed.
• All use of ornamental fountains or ponds is prohibited.
• No applications for new water connections shall be approved.

Stage 5 - Emergency Water Shortage Condition

Applies when a Water Supply Emergency exists due to natural disasters, emergency draw-down of Lake Livingston, major water line breaks in the transmission line or major distribution lines, pump or system failures, or natural or man-made contamination of the water supply source occurs.

Customers are required to comply with all provisions of Stages 2, 3, and 4 and:

• All irrigation of landscaped areas is prohibited.
• Use of water to wash any type of vehicle is prohibited.
• Curtailment of service to persons in violation of the prohibited uses may be ordered.
• Installation of new landscaping will be delayed.