Water Conservation

Jack May, Water Dept director, spoke to the City Manager's Quarterly Meeting for neighborhood HOA's about the city's and area's water conservation efforts. These meetings are open for HOA presidents and vice presidents - or their designated representative.

Here are the main points:

• Lake Lavon is down 11.5 feet
• Garland plans to stay in Stage 2, which we started in February, months ahead of other area cities
• Garland will disconnect your water after the third offense, but Frisco is fining people $2000 and putting a sign in their yards
• Garland residents are using much less water than other cities per capita; we're about 160-170 gallons/day/capita; that's includes use by our industrial sector so we're doing well by comparison
• Garland has older neighborhoods with less bathrooms, pools, sprinkler systems, etc., that helps conservation
• Irrigation (watering the lawn) is the major use; water use skyrockets at 8:01 p.m. when restrictions first allow watering of lawns
• Most calls complaining are not about the restrictions but about others violating the restrictions; Garland is very conscious and positive toward conservation
• The water department is preparing four-color door hangers that could be left on a violators door informing them of the rules and giving them friendly notice; these could be distributed by HOA's, neighborhood associations, crime watch groups, etc.
• Firewheel Golf Park waters using water from Rowlett Creek, which requires permission from the City of Dallas
• This drought is approaching the big drought of the 1950's
• Garland gets its water from the North Texas Municipal Water District, which now has thirteen members, including Richardson and Plano
• NTMWD draws water from Lake Lavon; water is also diverted from Lake Cooper (Chapman) to Lavon; some water is drawn from Lake Texoma but the saline content limits how much can be used
• Water rates will change soon; levels of use will be established so that low-use will have lower rates and high-use will be charged more; the program will be revenue neutral, not take in more than it is now; the state strongly "encourages" this rate structure
• Lake Lavon is not required to drain any water to Lake Ray Hubbard (owned by Dallas)
• Garland probably wouldn't go to Stage 3 unless the NTMWD goes to Stage 4

To learn more about conservation efforts in Garland and to avoid being cited for improperly using water, please check Garland's website section on Water Conservation.

Water Rationing Stage 2

Moderate Water Rationing Requirements

1. Irrigation of landscape areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems is prohibited except on designated watering days. Irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at anytime if it is done by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet-filled bucket or watering can of five gallons or less, or by drip irrigation.
   
   Designated watering days means Sundays and Thursdays only between the hours of midnight and 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to midnight for customers with an even numbered street address, and Saturdays and Wednesdays only between the hours of midnight and 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to midnight for customers with an odd numbered street address.
   
   
2. Use of water to wash any vehicle, including without limitation a motor vehicle, motorcycle, boat, trailer, or airplane, is prohibited except on designated watering days. Vehicle washing, when permitted, must be done with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rinses. Vehicle washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this subsection if the vehicle washing was done in the interest of public health such as the washing of garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.
   
   
3. The use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pool, wading pool, hot tub or spa-type pool is prohibited except on designated watering days.
   
   
4. The operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except when necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.
   
   
5. The use of water from hydrants except in fire fighting and related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare, is prohibited. The use of water from hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed under a variance from the Director.
   
   
6. The use of water for the irrigation of golf course greens, tees, and fairways is prohibited except on designated watering days unless the golf course uses a non-potable water source or a water source other than that provided by the City.
   
   
7. All restaurants are prohibited from serving water to their patrons except on request of the patron.
   
   
8. The use of water to wash down sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surface areas is prohibited.
   
   
9. The use of water to wash down building or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection is prohibited.
   
   
10. The use of water for dust control is prohibited.
    
    
11. The use of water for flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street is prohibited.
    
    
12. It is an offense to fail or refuse to repair a controllable leak within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s).Sec. 51.95. Enforcement.
    
    
    1. Unless otherwise specified in this article, no culpable mental state is required for the commission of an offense under this article
       
       
    2. If a person is convicted of three or more violations of this article, the Director, upon notice to the customer, may discontinue water service to the premises where such violations have occurred. Services discontinued under such circumstances will be restored only upon payment of a reconnection charge of $50.00, and any other costs incurred by the City in discontinuing service.
       
       
    3. Any person in apparent control of the premises where a violation occurs or originates is presumed to be the violator, and proof that the violation occurred on the person's premises constitutes a rebuttable presumption that the person in apparent control of the property committed the violation. Parents are presumed to be responsible for violations of their minor children and proof that a violation, committed by a child, occurred on the premises under the parent's control constitutes a rebuttable presumption that the parent committed the violation. The presumption may be rebutted by proof that the parent had previously directed the child not to use the water as it was used in violation of the Plan and that the parent could not have reasonably known of the violation.

Water Conservation Tips for Your Lawn and Garden

• Mulch Everything - This is the #1 priority: when drought conditions threaten, it's time to mulch. Put a generous two-to-three inch layer on top of your flowerbeds, around your trees, and in your gardens. A good thick layer of mulch is the first line of defense.
• Prepare New Beds Properly: Expanded Shale and Compost, a two inch layer of each tilled into your soils of new plantings, adds proper drainage and also holds enough moisture around your plants' roots to help prevent undue summer stress.
• Water Correctly: Water applied through your sprinkler system should be applied heavily, but less often; follow your home city's rules for sprinkler usage. Water in the early morning to avoid unnecessary evaporation, and when you do water, soak your plants hard. This heavier, less frequent watering encourages a strong, deep root system that is less prone to drought stress.
• Do Not Over Fertilize Turf: Heavily fertilized lawns need heavier watering. In drought conditions - with water restrictions active - go easy on the feedings. The turf won't be a lush, brilliant green, but it won't burn up either.