(KATY) – According to city officials, the City of Katy has reached an “unprecedented level of water demand” to such a degree that the city is now at Stage 3: Sever Drought Conditions and mandatory restrictions for water usage are effective immediately based on the city’s Drought Contingency Plan.
Officials say that while there is a possibility of rain over the next several days, Mayor William “Dusty” Thiele had to “take into consideration of the city’s wells, which have been running continually over the last several months battling the extreme heat and lack of rain.”
In addition to preserving the city’s water resources the decision to enter Stage 3 was made with the intention of “helping to preserve and protect the wells and give them an opportunity to recover.”
The city engineer has advised the city that two triggers to the city’s Drought Contingency Plan to move to Stage 3 have been met. These include that the total daily water demand equals or exceeds 85 percent of total well pumpage for three consecutive days and the water supply system is unable to deliver water due to the failure or damage of major water system components.
Stage 3 is mandatory, and violations may result in written warnings, a citation or disconnection of water service, which is subject to appeal.
In addition to Stage 1 and Stage 2 guidelines, the following restrictions are in effect:
Limit landscape watering to the twice per week water schedule shown below
Prohibits hosing of paved areas, buildings, windows and any hard-surface areas
Prohibits operation of ornamental fountains
Prohibits washing or rinsing of vehicles by hose
Prohibits using water in such a manner to allow runoff or other waste
Prohibits new establishment of landscaping
No new pool submittals will be accepted
To report violations of the mandatory restrictions, visit www.cityofkaty.com/waterviolation to submit a report or contact Public Works at droughtviolations@cityofkaty.com or at 281-391-4820.
“We ask our citizens, businesses and HOA’s to continue to use their best efforts to reduce water usage and follow the Stage 3 restrictions/guidelines,” said city representatives in a statement. “Being the great community that we are, let our spirit of community unite us in true Katy fashion to conserve our water resources.”
Notification will be provided with Stage 3 restrictions have been rescinded.
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