Starting November 2011, the North Texas Municipal Water District area including Collin County, Mesquite and Garland entered into Stage 3 drought conditions meaning citizens would only be able to water their landscapes once every two weeks, but you should check with your city for restrictions because some have adopted stricter conservation measures. The NTMWD has been considering going to Stage 4 – the highest level of water conservation measures. In their meeting at the end of January they voted to remain at Stage 3 until at least May 31st.
Under Stage 4, all residential and commercial outdoor watering would be prohibited, as would irrigation of new landscaping, washing vehicles and permits for the construciton of pools. The watering of foundations and trees would still be allowed for up to two hours per day, but only with a hand-held hose, soaker hose or a drip irrigation system. Of course the restrictions will also affect the livelihood of the many pool construction and landscaping businesses in the area and the NTMWD also tries to take that into account when making their critical decisions.
Lake Lavon is currently at a depth of 486 feet, approximately the same level it was at when Stage 3 restictions were added in October. But the NTMWD could exhaust it share of water from Jim Champman Lake. Compounding the problem has been the districts inability to pump water from Lake Texoma since fall 2009 because of zebra mussels, an invasive species, which can infest other lakes if pumped to the districts other reservoirs.
A study released in October by the National Weather Service said North Texas would require 24 to 28 increst of rain in a six-month period to pull itself out of the drought. If nothing changes, says Mike Rickman, deputy director for the NTMWD Stage 4 could be enacted as early as June.
So it’s time to save a little water and say a little prayer for more rain………… and if you are thinking of adding a pool this year don’t wait!