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Current Drought Restrictions
NORTH TEXAS MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT Regional Service Through Unity May 1,2006 To: Member Cities and Customers (List Attached) From: James (Jim) M. Parks
RE: Stage 3 - NTMWD Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan
Due to the continued drought conditions and the continued increase in water usage for the first quarter of the 2006 calendar year, effective June 1, 2006, the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), with the concurrence of the NTMWD Board of Directors, plans to initiate Stage 3-Severe of the NTMWD Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan (Plan).
Stage 3-Severe of the Plan is being initiated in response to:
· Extreme drought conditions in the service area and watersheds of the supply Reservoirs · Water usage for the first quarter of the 2006 calendar year that has continued to increase as compared to the previous years usage even with the initiation of Stage 1 -Mild and Stage 2-Moderate of the Plan · Projected usage for the remainder of the 2006 calendar year, without substantial reductions, could potentially force NTMWD to exceed the authorized water rights granted by the State of Texas · Long-range weather forecast indicates that the drought will persist with some relief and the spring and summer temperatures will be above normal
The goal for water use reductions under Stage 3-Severe is a reduction of five percent in the amount of water produced by NTMWD. NTMWD is requesting that Member Cities and Customers implement the following water conservation strategies:
· Continue or initiate any actions available under Stages 1 -Mild and 2-Moderate of the Plan · Implement viable alternative water supply strategies such as temporarily utilizing groundwater or use of treated effluent · Prohibit hosing of paved areas, buildings, or windows ("Requires TCEQ notification")
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· Prohibit operation of ornamental fountains, if they use treated water ("Requires TCEQ notification") · Prohibit washing or rinsing of vehicles with a hose ("Requires TCEQ notification") · Prohibit wasteful practices such as allowing runoff from irrigation systems, operation of faulty irrigation systems, watering impervious areas or allowing known leakage to continue ("'Requires TCEQ notification") · Prohibit outdoor watering with sprinklers between 10:OO a.m. and 6:00 p.m. year-round ("Requires TCEQ notification") · Limit landscape watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems at each service address to once every seven days ("Requires TCEQ notification")
Exceptions:
· Foundations and new plantings (first year) of shrubs and trees may be watered for up to 2 hours on any day by a handheld hose or a soaker hose · Golf courses may water greens and tee boxes · Restrictions do not apply to locations using treated wastewater effluent for irrigation
· Existing swimming pools may not be drained and refilled except to replace normal water loss ("Requires TCEQ notification") · Initiate a rate surcharge for all retail water use over a certain level. NTMWD strongly recommends a 25-50% increase in water rates for usage above 10,000 gallons per month. Each Member City and Customer may develop their own trigger utilizing the residential winter months average usage. ("Requires TCEQ notification") · Notify all wholesale customers of actions being taken and request them to implement similar procedures ("Requires TCEQ notification") · Should NTMWD impose a reduction in water available to Member Cities and Customers, impose the same percent reduction on all wholesale customers ("Requires TCEQ notification")
Water suppliers, including NTMWD and Member Cities and Customers, must notifl TCEQ within five business days if these mandatory measures (noted as "Requires TCEQ notification") are implemented. The TCEQ contact information is:
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Water Supply Division MC-155 P.O. Box 13087 Austin, TX 7871 1-3087 Attn: Mike Lannen
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Extending the water supply during this extremely dry period through the efficient use of our existing water resources is crucial to meeting the long-term water needs of the Member Cities and Customers. It is the NTMWD's desire to accomplish reduction in water usage through the various Stage 3 strategies without affecting any businesses or industries. Should you need additional information or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mike Riclunan, or my office directly, at 972.442.5405, or by e-mail to mrickrnan@,ntmwd.com or jparks@,ntmwd.com.
Thank you for your continued efforts and support during this critical period.
Sincerely, (JIM) M. PARKS xc: Mike Lannen, TCEQ John Sutton, TWDB |
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