from the City of Dallas

City Manager Mary Suhm has ordered the initiation of Stage 1 of the city’s Drought Contingency Plan. Mandatory outdoor watering restrictions go into effect on Monday, December 12, 2011 with the goal of reducing overall consumption by five percent.

“Even with the much needed recent rains, our water supply reservoirs (Lake Fork, Grapevine, Lewisville, Ray Hubbard, Ray Roberts and Tawakoni) are approximately 25 percent depleted and other factors make it prudent that we activate Stage 1 before the lakes are depleted further,” said City Manager Mary Suhm.

Meteorologists and climatologists predict the drought will continue at least through next summer. Other factors affecting Dallas’ ability to provide water to customers include ongoing construction at the city’s East Side water treatment plant which will temporarily reduce treatment capacity in 2012, and the likelihood of emergency raw water sales to other regional water providers who have been more severely affected by the drought. Even with intense conservation efforts, evaporation and water consumption will continue to deplete Dallas reservoirs.

The primary impact of Stage 1 on Dallas water customers is that outside watering is allowed only twice per week. Residents and businesses with addresses ending in an even number may water only on Sundays and Thursdays. Addresses ending in an odd number may water only on Saturdays and Wednesdays. The restrictions apply to automatic sprinklers, hose end sprinklers, drip irrigation, soaker hoses and hand watering. Watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on allowed watering days.

“Dallas has done a good job of planning for future water needs,” Suhm said. “We’re also fortunate that our lakes have not been as hard hit by the drought conditions. Our customers also deserve credit since their conservation efforts have helped save 146 billion gallons of water in the last ten years.”

First violations of the restrictions will result in a warning; subsequent violations could mean fines of $250 to $2,000. For more information on Stage 1 restrictions visit www.SaveDallasWater.com.

Cities and water providers are required by the State of Texas to file a Drought Contingency Plan with the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality and the Texas Water Development Board to ensure that the effects of periodic droughts are mitigated as much as possible. The current Dallas plan was updated and approved by the Dallas City Council in June 2010.