In the midst of the worst one-year drought in Texas history, it's even more imperative that we work to save water.

I knew, of course, that we are in a bad drought, as most of the state is now labeled "exceptional."

I was unaware of how severe the situation is until I ran across a recent report from the National Weather Service.

Here’s what I found out:



Effects of the Drought

78% of our state is in exceptional drought, the worst category possible.

The drought has had severe effects on the agricultural industry.

For example, 94% of pasture and range land is rated as "poor" or "very poor" and nearly all of the hay supply is being brought in from other states. With a limited water supply, ranchers are having to reduce the size of their herds. Some have even had to resort to complete liquidation.

Statewide agricultural losses in 2011 could be double the record of $4.1 billion in 2006.

Also, parts of the Trinity Aquifer, located west of Ft. Worth, have fallen as much as 80 feet! This is the greatest loss since records were first kept during the 1950's drought.

In the midst of the driest 10 month period on record, the fire danger remains critically high across the Lone Star State.

Click here for more information on the National Weather Service’s eye-opening report.

What is the City of Dallas doing?

What’s happening to our local water supply?

The City of Dallas is asking commercial and residential water customers to increase their efforts to conserve water by voluntarily watering landscapes no more than twice a week.

Currently, customers are prohibited by ordinance from watering between 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. from April 1st to October 31st every year.

The ongoing drought and high temperatures are having a significant impact on our water supply.

In mid-August, Dallas’ six reservoirs were already 18% depleted.

Stage 1 for the Dallas Drought Management Plan is triggered when water supply reservoirs are 35% depleted. The city is hoping that by asking for voluntary compliance from customers, the mandatory restrictions can be delayed.

Under the voluntary effort, customers with addresses ending in an even number are asked to only water on Sundays and Thursdays and customers with addresses ending in odd numbers water only on Saturdays and Wednesdays.

If the Drought Management Plan is triggered, this watering schedule will be mandatory.

In my opinion, this plan will reduce water consumption for those who are watering their lawns every day or every other day, but may actually increase it for those of us who are watering every 4 or 5 days. Hopefully by following many of my suggestions below (see “What can I do?”) we can avoid moving to the first stage.

If we do move to Stage 1, in addition to the above, foundations can only be watered once a week between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.

The city has also been working with area hotels and restaurants to assist in voluntary conservation efforts.

Hotels are encouraging their patrons to reuse towels and linens. Restaurants are encouraged to voluntarily post signs that water is served only by request.

Click here to see the full details of the Drought Contingency Plan: Stage One.

What can I do?

Here’s a partial list of things you can do to reduce your water usage.

Let’s start with the outdoors

Outdoor watering can easily consume more than half of your water use this summer.

Unfortunately, it’s not a good summer to have a lush, green lawn. I think most homeowners in Lake Highlands have dead, dry patches now, so no one is going to think twice about your lawn if you let some sections go.

I soak the ground around my trees every five days and run the soaker hose for the foundation every couple of days. The rest of the lawn looks pretty bad.

I don’t see a reason to water the strip of grass between the sidewalk and the curb or out back along the alley, since we don’t have any trees in those areas.

I’m hoping to improve my landscaping by moving to more drought-tolerant plants.

If you want to make better, water-wise landscaping choices, join me at one or both of the FREE Water-Wise Landscaping Seminars on Saturday, September 10th at the Performance Hall at Mountain View College.

For complete details and to pre-register click here.

To get there on DART, take the Blue Line to Illinois Station or the Red Line to Westmoreland Station in South Dallas and then take a short bus ride (route 445) to Mountain View College.

I wrote about more efficient sprinkler usage last summer. Check it out here.