Water My Yard

NTMWD to Ease Watering Restrictions Effective May 1st

After almost five years under drought restrictions, district to transition to 2014 Water Conservation Plan and allow twice per week watering, if needed.

For now, consumers are urged to keep automatic sprinkler systems off and run on manual mode when necessary

(Wylie, Texas-April 10, 2015)  North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) water supply reservoirs have reached sufficient levels and capacities to allow the District to ease watering restrictions earlier than previously planned. Beginning May 1, 2015, NTMWD will terminate all drought stages and will implement its Water Conservation Plan that limits landscape watering to no more than two days per week, and only if needed. This action is being implemented in accordance with State and District guidelines.

While the drought has not officially ended, runoff from recent rains helped increase the levels of both Lavon Lake and Chapman Lake, key water supplies for the district. The increasing lake levels along with the resumption of using water from Lake Texoma, the circumstances that caused the initiation of drought stages no longer prevail. Even with termination of drought contingency stages, NTMWD Executive Director Tom Kula recommends that consumers continue to keep their sprinklers off and use the manual mode to irrigate, only if needed.

“Conservation, as always, is vital to our water supply and the District will continue to emphasize watering wisely. Based on rainfall we normally receive this time of year, there may be no need for twice per week watering in May,” said Kula. “For the months ahead, when hot, dry conditions may require more frequent watering, only water if needed to maintain a healthy lawn,” Kula added.

Customers are encouraged to sign up for WaterMyYard.org which provides weekly updates regarding how much and when to water your lawn.

All water users need to check with their city or water provider to determine when outdoor watering is allowed and what other conditions apply. The NTMWD’s Conservation Plan (The Plan) outlines minimum District guidelines (e.g. prohibits lawn irrigation watering from 10 AM to 6 PM between April 1 and October 31) and prohibits activities such as outdoor watering during precipitation events. Each city enforces the measures included in their own adopted plans, so residents and customers can avoid enforcement measures by educating themselves on what is permissible.

NTMWD officials would like to again thank all cities and all consumers for their cooperation while in the drought stages and in particular for your extreme sacrifices last summer to conserve. There’s no doubt the tremendous support of the entire region allowed us all to get through some tough last few years with some of the strictest watering restrictions in the state.

Not boasting because it’s a fact, NTMWD’s cities and customers are some of most water-wise in the state. Research indicates that better than 50% of our consumers in the NTMWD’s service area can cite Lavon Lake as their water source and therefore are willing to change their water use behaviors. Your continued conservation efforts are appreciated going forward, along with the cooperation of businesses, HOAs, and homeowners in order to support the needs of this fast growing region.

NTMWD has been operating in accordance with the 2008 Water Conservation and Drought Contingency/Water Emergency Response Plan (2008 Plan) since the drought began in 2010. With termination of all drought stages, NTMWD will, in accordance with state guidelines, retire the 2008 Plan and implement the 2014 Water Conservation Plan effective May 1, 2015. The 2014

Water Conservation and Water Resource and Emergency Management Plans can be found on the NTMWD website at http://www.ntmwd.com/water_resource_management_plans.html. The 2014 plans align NTMWD regionally with the other water providers in the metroplex.

As May 1st approaches, NTMWD asks that consumers “Don’t Set It and Forget It’ when it comes to your sprinkler systems. Turn it off during rain events and on days when lawn watering isn’t necessary. ALL-IN Together!

Media Contact: Denise Hickey

(972) 442-5405