Water Conservation

STAGE 3
Additional Information

Report a Watering Violation

Mandatory water conservation measures under Stage 2

• Stage 2 mandatory water use restrictions limit all landscape and other outdoor water usage at each service address to twice per week based on the last digit of the metered service physical street address as follows:

• Water usage during Stage 2. Water usage during Stage 2 shall be subject to the following:
  • The use of manual or automated sprinkler systems is prohibited between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. or during any periods of any precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, etc.).
  • Excessive water runoff from any landscaped area onto impervious surfaces is prohibited.
  • The washing or hosing down of buildings, sidewalks, driveways, patios, porches, parking areas or other paved surfaces is permitted while using a hose with an shutoff nozzle.
  • The washing of vehicles, boats, trailers, other mobile vehicles on owner’s premises is permitted while using a hose with a shutoff nozzle.
• Exemptions. The following water usage is exempt from Stage 2 restrictions:
  • Competition public athletic fields may be watered as needed.
  • Golf courses may responsibly water without restrictions.
  • ET/Smart irrigation systems may be used responsibly without restrictions, but residents will need to register their system with the Department of Public Services to be exempt.
  • Hand watering of ornamental flower beds and other ornamental landscaping is allowed with use of a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle.
  • Hydroseeding, hydromulching, and sprigging are permitted.
  • Pools, Jacuzzis and spas may be drained and refilled as needed for repairs or to maintain operational levels.
  • Ornamental fountains using treated water may be operated without restrictions.
  • Drip irrigation systems and soaker hoses used to keep foundations moist up to two hours per day.
  • The watering of newly installed landscaping until the roots are established is permitted with a variance. The variance is typically given for 30 days from the date of installation. Once established, the allowed landscape water days schedule must be followed.
  • Commercial full-service or self-service car wash facilities, including those at service stations and automobile dealership facilities.
  • Activities utilizing wastewater effluent, natural water springs, ponds or water wells.

Extending the NTMWD’s water supply during Stage 2 through the efficient use of existing water resources is crucial to meeting the long-term water needs of the city and the more than 1.5 million people served by the North Texas Municipal Water District.

“We’re working closely with the North Texas Municipal Water District to help it achieve its and our water conservation goals,” said Richardson Director of Public Services Jerry Ortega. “Our reservoirs look better this year than in past years, but we still have the issue with the loss of water from Lake Texoma. A pipeline is currently under construction design to alleviate the zebra mussel issue, but it will not be complete until mid to late 2013. Until then, we can provide access to water supplies for people, but we ask everyone to keep using their water wisely.”

Lake Texoma, in the Red River Basin, represents 28 percent of the raw water supply available to the NTMWD. Use of water from the lake was ceased in order to help minimize the transfer of zebra mussels into Lake Lavon and the Trinity River Basin. Although zebra mussels are not harmful to people and do not contaminate the water, they do attach to water facilities and pipes that pump water, causing increased operating and maintenance costs.

Enforcement
The City’s Community Services Department has inspectors on duty to respond to complaints. Anyone who receives a citation will not be required to appear in court, as is the custom with all other code citations. Instead, a defendant may elect to plead guilty and pay a window fine of:

• First offense - $150
• Second offense - $350
• Third offense - $1,000

If a citation is written as an “aggravated offense,” the defendant is required to appear before a municipal court judge to have the case resolved.

Violators could see an up to $2,000 fine for failing to follow water conservation measures.

Variances
To meet public health and safety needs and to help maintain overall water pressure in the City’s system, the City of Richardson has certain facilities that must be watered outside the publicly mandated water restriction times. Such facilities include athletic and recreation facilities used by the public for a variety of purposes.

Though some City facilities will be watered outside times dictated by the ordinance, the City will maintain watering schedules that will meet or exceed conservation efforts. Other large public and private water users will also have variances for water usage, and will be monitored according to the guidelines in the variances for which they apply.

Variances are available for watering of newly installed landscape until vegetative roots are established. Any variance approved for watering new landscaping will expire 30 days after becoming effective.

Anyone wishing to request a variance from Richardson’s water restrictions must contact the City’s Public Services Department at 972-744-4220.

More Information

The City of Richardson moved from Stage 3 to Stage 2 water conservation measures effective Friday, June 1, 2012. The easing of restrictions will increase available irrigation days for residents and businesses from once to twice per week.

Richardson is easing its outdoor watering restrictions based on guidance from the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), which approved relaxing water conservation measures at its regular board of directors meeting on May 24, 2012. The District projects that it has enough water to provide for the near future based on water levels at its primary reservoirs. However, it also says use still needs to be limited due to the continued unavailability of water in the Lake Texoma reservoir, which remains offline due to an infestation of zebra mussels.

"We are very thankful that Lavon Lake has returned to its normal conservation pool elevation from abundant winter and early spring rains, and Lakes Jim Chapman and Tawakoni are near full elevation. This increase in water supply, the water supply model projections, and the NTMWD Member Cities and Customers meeting the 10% water use reduction goals is allowing us to return to Stage 2,” said Jim Parks, Executive Director of NTMWD. “While we can’t predict what the summer weather will be, the months of June, July, and August are traditionally the hottest and driest months of the year so it’s important to continue conservation efforts and efficient use of our water supply. The water supply from Lake Texoma, 28% of the total NTMWD water supply, remains offline due to the infestation of an invasive species, the zebra mussel.”

Under Richardson’s newly adopted Stage 2 water restrictions, use of sprinkler or irrigation systems is still prohibited between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., even on approved watering days. Use of soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems is allowed at any time on any day of the week. Also included in the District’s Stage 2 provisions, Richardson must continue to meet or exceed a 10 percent water use reduction goal.

More information and tips on water conservation can be found on the City’s Water Conservation website available on the City’s homepage at www.cor.net.Further information is also available at www.wateriq.org and www.ntmwd.com.