North Texas Municipal Water District to Continue Stage 3 Water Restrictions
Beginning November 1st – March 31st landscape watering limited
The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) Board of Directors has unanimously voted to remain in Stage 3 of the NTMWD Water Conservation and Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Response Plan. Continuation of Stage 3 water restrictions is necessary due to below average rainfall, declining water levels of NTMWD reservoirs and the ongoing prohibition of pumping water from Lake Texoma due to the zebra mussel infestation.
As part of the Stage 3, seasonal landscape watering is limited to once every two weeks with sprinklers or irrigation systems at each service address between November 1 and March 31. Landscape experts point out that lawns become dormant during winter months and require less water. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems can continue to be used for up to two-hours per day for foundations and trees. Check with your city for specific restrictions.
“Recent rain has helped water lawns and gardens but has not significantly impacted lake levels,” said Jim Parks, Executive Director of NTMWD. “The NTMWD Board of Directors will review the Stage 3 restrictions if the area receives significant rainfall this fall and winter that result in substantial increases to water supplies. However, NTMWD must manage the current available water supplies and plan for future needs,” Parks added.
Lavon Lake, the district’s primary water supply, is currently more than 12 feet below the normal conservation level. Lake Chapman, the other key NTMWD reservoir is over 13 feet low.
Parks said the NTMWD will get some partial relief in January when the first phase of the new pipeline from Lake Texoma comes online. The $310m pipeline will connect Lake Texoma to the Wylie, Texas water treatment plant and allow the NTMWD to resume using the Texoma water supply while minimizing the spread of the invasive zebra mussel. The Texoma supply is anticipated to be fully restored in the Spring of 2014.
Home and business property owners can help retain ground moisture by applying 3-4 inches of mulch around landscaping and trees.
For additional water conservation tips, visit www.northtexaswateriq.org or www.ntmwd.com.
(updated Nov. 1, 2013)
