Watering still allowed once weekly under relaxed Stage 3 drought measures

Other water use allowed, conservation still encouraged

(McKinney) March 30, 2012 – Recent record rains, updated weather projections and successful conservation efforts have helped reduce pressure on the area’s water supplies, prompting McKinney’s water supplier, the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) to ease Stage 3 drought restrictions effective April 1. McKinney residents and businesses are still only allowed to use landscape watering systems once weekly, but other measures have relaxed.

Under Stage 3 of the drought plan, residents and businesses can only use irrigation systems to water landscapes once per week if needed on the scheduled trash pick-up day. The watering schedules for commercial properties are determined by the residential trash zone where the property is located.

Activities now allowed under Stage 3 include:

• Operation of ornamental fountains
• Hydroseeding, hydromulching, and sprigging
• Swimming pools may now be drained and refilled

The city is still maintaining efforts to reduce water use, and residents are urged to continue to conserve water. While residents and businesses are allowed to water once weekly, they are encouraged not to water at all unless needed.

Restrictions under Stage 3 include:

• No outdoor watering is allowed between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• No hosing of paved areas, buildings or windows at any time. However, pressure washing is allowed for health and safety reasons.
• No washing or rinsing of vehicles by free-running hose.
• No use of water that allows runoff or other water waste.
• No landscape watering during any form of precipitation.

Foundations, new landscaping, and new plantings (first year) of shrubs and trees may be watered for up to two hours on any day by a hand-held hose, a soaker hose or a dedicated zone using drip irrigation. New plantings have 30 days to establish after installation in which they can be watered. Registered and properly operated ET controlled and drip systems may operation without restrictions.

Violating the Stage 3 water restrictions could result in a fee of $50, $100, or $150. Fees will be delivered through the regular water bill, and failure to pay fees can result in water being shut off to the home or business.

Stage 3 measures are still necessary primarily because Lake Texoma, which typically is 28 percent of the district’s water supply, remains inaccessible because of a zebra mussel infestation. The NTMWD cannot legally transport water from Lake Texoma and risk transporting zebra mussels, an invasive species, across state lines. According to the NTMWD, Stage 3 is still necessary to ensure an adequate water supply through the next two summers while a new pipeline is being constructed that will allow NTMWD to resume using Lake Texoma.

To report a water violation, call the water restriction hotline at 972-439-1059.

For more information, visit mckinneytexas.org/waterrestrictions.

Submitted by Anna Clark, City of McKinney.

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