Plano enters Stage 3 watering restrictions Nov. 1

Outdoor watering limited to once every two weeks with time limitations

Effective Tuesday, Nov. 1, the City of Plano will implement Stage 3 water conservation measures, joining other North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) cities. On-going drought conditions and the temporary loss of raw water supply due to invasive zebra mussels combined with NTMWD operational issues from high water consumption periods continues to require greater regional water conservation measures.

The continually decreasing water elevation level at Lake Lavon makes it essential to move to Stage 3 conservation levels to divert a catastrophic operational failure which will occur when lake elevation falls below 470 feet. On Oct. 18, 2011 Lake Lavon recorded a level of 479.47 feet.

Prior to Nov. 1 all residential and commercial water users will receive a bright yellow post card outlining the new Stage 3 outdoor watering restrictions, as follows:

• Landscape watering with sprinklers is permitted once every other week; watering between the hours of 10am to 6pm is prohibited. Set  automatic systems to manual if needed, and only water on your designated day.
o Even addresses: Every other Thursday, beginning Nov. 3
o Odd addresses: Every other Tuesday, beginning Nov. 8
• Foundations, new landscaping and first year new plantings of shrubs and trees may be watered within a 10-foot radius of their trunk for up to two hours on any day using a hand-held hose, soaker hose or low flow irrigation.
• No hosing of paved areas, buildings or windows. Hose end cutoff nozzle must be used when washing vehicles.
• No ornamental fountains or outdoor amenities which use treated water.
• No hydro-seeding, hydro-mulching and sprigging. Planting cool season grasses, such as rye, is not allowed.
• Existing swimming pools may not be drained and refilled except to replace normal water loss.

For more information, visit plano.gov/water or call the hotline: 972-769-4338.

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