Rockwall exceeds goal of reducing water usage

Unified effort needed to continue water conservation

ROCKWALL, TX (June 5, 2014) The City of Rockwall asks for continued support of its water customers to get through the upcoming summer months.  While citizens of Rockwall’s efforts have exceeded the goal of 10% reduction, extraordinary dedication to conservation must continue.  The summer months are the hottest and traditionally the driest months of the year.  The City’s water provider, the North Texas Municipal Water District, has voted to extend Stage 3 conservation measures through the summer months.

From October 2013 through April 2014, Rockwall customers have shown their diligence by reducing their overall usage by 17% more than the adopted goal of 10%.

NTMWD officials are urging users to turn off their automated sprinkler systems and operate systems manually one day every two weeks to help conserve water as part of the current Stage 3 conservation plan.  District officials said its entire northTexasservice area needs a 15-20% water reduction for summer until the drought eases.  Automatic sprinkler systems, they said, account for 50% of water used this time of year. With compliance, it could extend or maybe prevent future Stage 4 restrictions (no outside watering).

The Rockwall City Council agreed at a June 2 meeting to continue supporting Stage 3 restrictions, and the City will complement the existing program by focusing on continued conservation education efforts, meet with its top users to discuss ways to reduce consumption, and monitoring its conservation program to identify other methods of saving water, said City Manager Rick Crowley. Other measures that could be initiated include the assignment of specific watering dates.

Lake Lavon, the city’s main supply for water, is down more than 11 feet. The Lake Texoma water supply coming on line later this month will have a positive impact, but drought conditions are expected to continue.  Stage 3 requirements will continue until November 1^st.  For Stage 3 conservation requirements and conservation tips, please go to www.northtexaswateriq.org or www.ntmwd.com.

  drought, reduction, Rockwall, stage 3, water conservation, water usage