Voluntary water conservation measures now in effect
December 12, 2011
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Asking citizens to again do what they've demonstrated the ability to achieve, City Manager Gary D. Greer said voluntary water conservation measures at residences and businesses went into effect January 1 in Farmers Branch.
Dallas Water Utilities, the City's water provider, requested in mid-December that its customer cities initiate conservation measures.
Mr. Greer said that he has confidence the Farmers Branch community can meet the challenge.
"We've had situations in the past when our water use was reaching very high levels," Mr. Greer said. "A simple request on City media and traffic message boards, 'Use what you need, save the rest,' resulted in an appreciable decrease in consumption.
"Now, we have to ask again but this time we are doing so under the auspices of the City's drought contingency plan."
Stage 1 of the plan calls for voluntary reductions in:
> Frequency of watering new and first-year landscaping and foundations.
> Frequency of washing or rinsing of vehicles and recommended use of bucket/container, handheld hose with positive shutoff valve or commercial car wash.
> Excessive runoff from landscape areas.
> Frequency in draining and refilling of swimming pools and ornamental fountains.
> Hosing off paved areas, buildings, windows or other surfaces.
> All other non-essential water use.
"We're relying on citizens to voluntarily continue to reduce water use when and where they can, according to these guidelines," Mr. Greer added. "Although January 1 will be the official implementation date, we're always asking our residents to be water smart."
Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Harting said his department will also be taking steps to reduce watering of beds, parks and fields by 25 to 33 percent, depending on the type of plants or turf being watered. Additionally, planting of new beds will be curtailed in some areas and, in others, some plants will be replaced with drought-resistant material, more able to exist with less water. Finally, he added, watering of athletic fields will be reduced to three times per week.
For more information on Stage 1 of the Drought Contingency Plan, call the Public Works Department at 972.919.2597.