Why are we still in Stage 3 water restrictions?

May 31st, 2007

Why are we still in Stage 3 water restrictions?

Lake Lavon is full and May has been one of the wettest months on record for quite some time. Why then, do some North Texas communities remain in Stage 3 water use restrictions?

For Plano, Stage 3 water use restrictions remain in place for the moment. City officials have attended a flurry of meetings recently to discuss the current water use restrictions and when (or if) they should be lifted.

The North Texas Municipal Water District has asked that all of its customers remain in Stage 3 due to the lake level of Lake Chapman which is a supplemental source for Lake Lavon. According to the district, Lake Chapman supplies approximately 20% of our water supply by refilling Lake Lavon as summer water use takes its toll. The district has also advised its member customers that local water management may have an affect on their ability to acquire state permits necessary to develop new water sources.

Recent meetings have also been held with neighboring cities to compare notes and discuss best management practices for such severe restrictions.

Plano has shown phenomenal success in curbing its water use during last year’s drought. And this year has started off even more successfully as Plano water customers have cut back by 2 billion gallons of water over last year’s Jan – May timeframe. City officials support the water district as it applies to securing future water supplies for the region. However, with lake levels in such good condition, continued evaluation and monitoring of our status as it relates to stage 3 will ultimately lead to a decision whether to move to Stage 2 later this summer.

Fortunately, with the recent heavy rains, most landscapes should be good and wet for at least the next two weeks. Current rainfall should make the continued conservation of landscape irrigation a “no brainer”. Saving water now gives us a better chance of lifting restrictions for when we really need it in July and August!

Plano now allows twice per week watering according to the new watering zone map that was adopted in late March 2007. This new schedule allows a second day of watering for all water users in Plano. In addition, this new schedule changed the authorized hours to reflect a total of 12 hours per week rather than 14. This schedule was adopted to help balance the water system and to ensure we had adequate reserves for fire protection and other emergencies as well as provide a reliable water supply for domestic use.

For more information regarding Plano’s watering restrictions and water education programs please visit our webpage at www.plano.gov/water.