The temperatures have started creeping up into the 80s consistently now…and the beautiful bluebonnets are everywhere! It’s starting to feel like summer and the City’s water use is going up to further confirm that warming feeling.  Folks have started watering their yards, planting grass and gardens and other outdoor landscaping activities, this is the main reason water use is on the rise.
I want to remind you that the City is still under Stage 1 of the Drought Contingency Plan.  The restrictions were made effective back on October 14, 2013 and haven’t been rescinded yet. What this means is that IF you are going to use water outside of your property, mainly watering your yard, this can’t happen more than twice per week. And not during the hours between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Realistically, once per week watering is more than enough currently. The temperatures haven’t been hot enough to evaporate all the moisture to need to water more than once.  We did have a very dry winter–even with “all” the ice, it’s been one of the driest winters in at least 5 years (that’s how long I’ve been keeping track of the rainfall). So, some irrigation may be needed in sunny areas of the yard. Gardens will need water more frequently to establish them.
Because of the lack of rainfall this winter, the lakes haven’t risen either. This means that the water restrictions will continue for the time being. If you’d like to hear more about what the current water situation is, come to the City’s public library on April 10 where I’ll be giving a presentation regarding the current water situation and predictions for this summer!
Read the water restriction information with all the details on the City’s Drought Restriction page.
