State requirements result in local water use restrictions

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December 22, 2012

State requirements result in local water use restrictions

Non-essential water use banned between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. beginning Dec. 28

Anonymous Mineral Wells Index The Mineral Wells Index Sat Dec 22, 2012, 04:39 PM CST

By CHRIS AGEE

In response to dry conditions statewide, Mineral Wells was among communities across the nation to receive notice this week of statewide mandatory water use restrictions.

City Manager Lance Howerton explained the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has monitored the ongoing drought across the state and, as in a similar decision last year, has implemented the conservation plan.

City council members were set to vote on a resolution authorizing the implementation of the city’s Stage I water conservation plan Tuesday in anticipation of state-mandated restrictions.

The notice city staff received Monday from TCEQ merely expedited that plan, Howerton said. The commission took action to restrict water usage in the Brazos River Basin last month.

Water conservation measures will be effective as of Dec. 28 and include both voluntary conservation efforts and water use prohibitions.

Non-essential water use will be banned between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Prohibited use during those hours includes most outdoor washing, such as windows, siding, roofs, driveways and non-commercial vehicles, as well as unattended irrigation, draining and filling swimming pools and flushing a residential water system.

Sprinkler use and unattended lawn watering is permitted once per week, as follows:

• Southeast quadrant – Mondays.

• Northeast quadrant – Tuesday.

• Northwest quadrant – Wednesday.

• Southwest quadrant – Thursday.

Quadrants in Mineral Wells are determined by the intersection of Oak Street and Hubbard Street.

The restrictions will remain in effect until TCEQ lifts the requirement. Anyone in violation of the conservation plan can be fined up to $500 per occurrence or discontinuation of water service.