Conservation efforts applied year round

Stage 1 watering restrictions began on Monday of this week.

Due to the major drought we’re experiencing, the City of Dallas is now taking action.

The recent announcement, however, has many wondering, “What does Stage 1 mean?”

Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers, automatic irrigation systems, drip irrigation, soaker hoses and hand watering is prohibited to no more than twice per week according to the mandatory schedule.

If the last digit of your address is even, your allowed days are Sundays and Thursdays.

Odd-numbered addresses can water on Saturdays and Wednesdays only.

No watering is allowed on Mondays, Tuesdays or Fridays and watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the allowed watering days during Stage 1. 

As before, automatic sprinkler system owners are required to have rain and freeze sensors installed.

This shouldn’t affect us this winter, since there’s really not a reason to run the sprinklers in the cold weather.

It will be an adjustment this spring and summer, though, to those used to running their sprinklers every day or every other day.

Why do we need Stage 1 restrictions?
 
We are lagging far behind in total rainfall these past 12 months compared to the average.

Here are rainfall totals from DFW Airport, in inches:

SOURCE: National Weather Service

In short, it means we’re about 13 inches behind, based on the past year through November.

If Dallas reaches Stage 2, watering will be limited to once a week, along with additional restrictions.

North Texas Conservation Efforts

Wondering what other cities are doing?

Richardson and other North Texas cities began Stage 3 restrictions last month.

Stage 3 water conservation measures indicate a “water emergency” by the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD).

Water users are required to conserve by following the city’s year-round conservation efforts and to water only 2 times per month. 

Please conserve!

Please make every effort to conserve water so that we don’t have to move to Stages 2 and beyond.

For specific tips on how to conserve water, see my August article, Keepin’ it Green: Conserve & Preserve

Have a wonderful holiday, everyone!

More information from on the City of Dallas Drought Contingency Plan click here.

A complete list of regulations can be found here.