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Stage 3 mandatory restrictions - including surcharges - begin Thursday
By Allison Davis, Staff writer
Mandatory water restrictions for 1.5 million North Texans begin on Thursday, and Allen is one of the several cities required to restrict their water use due to drought conditions in North Texas over the past year.
The city began its drought contingency plan in October 2005, and the city council adopted a plan for Stage 3 on May 9. The North Texas Municipal Water District, which supplies water to Allen and several other surrounding cities, will conduct a news conference today in Plano to demonstrate ways to conserve water.
The move from Stage 2 to Stage 3 means there are required restrictions to cut back on water usage. Last week the city mailed information to every resident concerning the new rules, restrictions and tips on how to save water.
“The way it works is, the rate increase was approved effective June 1 for preparation of bills July,” said Steve Massey, director of community services. “The reason we delayed it 30 days is because city council doesn’t want to increase water rates for water you’ve already used.
“The rate change is in effect June 1, but we won’t start billing it until July 1, so you’re aware of the rate change before you decide how much water to use. Even though we’re doing conservation and we’re doing a rebate program and education, one of the big components of getting use to go down is this rate increase, because it may make some people go, ‘I need to be careful because I’ll go outside of my budget, it’s going to cost me more so I need to be frugal.’”
Residential rates with surcharge are as follows:
*10,001 to 15,000 gallons, a $2.95 surcharge per 1,000 gallons will be charged.
*15,001 to 25,000 gallons, a $3.54 per 1,000 gallons will be charged.
*More than 25,000 gallons, a $4.13 per 1,000 will be charged.
The surcharge is a 25 percent rate increase per level of increased water use and is not on top of normal costs.
The city needs to cut water use by 10 percent, and officials expect the rate increase will cut 5 percent of water use. The other 5 percent reduction will come through conservation and the rebate program.
“We’re trying to cut residential use and commercial irrigation use,” Massey said. “We think we’re going to get the 10 percent reduction we need to make sure we have enough water for everybody to continue to use until the end of this calendar year.”
The water restrictions are a result of the drought conditions and to the restricted amount cities are allowed to withdraw from the lakes.
“It’s as much a permitted water rights issues as much as it is a drought issue. North Texas is worried about running out of permit to take water out of the lake, even if the lake is full, when they get to their permit, they’re suppose to stop withdrawing it,” Massey said. “Even if we get enough rain this week or all summer, unless we can stay under our permitted withdraw, we’re going to stay in the same situation.”
Treated water for Allen is drawn from Lake Lavon, Lake Texoma and Lake Chapman. Other nearby cities also depend on water from these lakes.
After today, more than 150 people working for the community services department will begin issuing warnings for violations of restricted water use. One warning is required before residents and businesses can be issued a citation, which could include a fine of up to $2,000.
“We’re trying to change water use behavior not make money for the city and not cause anybody a lot of grief and extra expense,” Massey said.
If the use of water increases or continues at the same rate, the city will increase the surcharge rate and will increase enforcement of following restrictions.
The city will also depend on neighbors and others who notice violations to report them by calling 214-509-4500 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, or 214-509-4330 after 5 p.m. weekdays or on weekends. After a violation is reported, city workers will follow up the call by visiting the address and investigating whether or not a restriction was violated, then a warning or citation will be issued.
Mandatory water restrictions for residential and commercial water customers include:
*Limit landscape irrigation to once every seven days on the same day as residential trash pick up (but only on one day a week if trash is picked up more than once a week).
*Do not water between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
*Do not drain or fill existing swimming pools except to replace normal water.
*No hosing of paved areas, buildings or windows.
*No wasteful water runoff.
*No vehicle washing or rinsing by hose.
*Golf courses may water only greens and tee boxes if using treated water.
*No operation of ornamental fountains fed by treated water.
Water use exceptions for residential and commercial water customers include:
*Commercial car washes in Allen will continue to operate since their wastewater drains into the sanitary sewer system that replenishes the water supply.
*If a permit has been obtained for new pool construction, then the pool may be filled with water when construction is complete.
*Golf courses not watered by treated water are not restricted to tee boxes and greens only
*Foundations and new plantings (first year) of trees and shrubs may be watered for up to one hour on any day by a hand-held hose, soaker hose or drip irrigation system
*Established trees may be watered by hand-held hose, soaker hose or drip irrigation system within ten feet of their trunk as part of the one hour watering schedule
While the rules are outlined, many people still have questions.
“As simple as the rules seems, they are very easy to misunderstand,” Massey said.
To answer questions and explain Stage 3, public information meetings will be held at 7 p.m. today and at 2 p.m. Saturday in the council chambers at Allen City Hall, 305 Century Parkway. A meeting for businesses will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the council chambers.
If anyone is unable to attend these meetings a 25 minute video explaining Stage 3 will be available on demand at the city of Allen Web site, www.cityofallen.org, and it will be rebroadcast on Comcast’s ACTV 15 at various times throughout the summer.
For information, visit www.cityofallen.org or www.wateriq.org
Community editor Allison Davis can be reached at 972-398-4484 or via email at allison.davis@scntx.com
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