City of Victoria / Public Information Office

NEWS RELEASE

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July 2, 2009                                                                                                                                                 The Public Works Dept. 482-3381

City Initiates Stage II of Drought Contingency Plan

(VICTORIA, TEXAS) The level in the City of Victoria’s Off-Channel Reservoir #8 has fallen to elevation 42, which is approximately 50% of its maximum capacity. As a result, the City is initiating Stage II of its Drought Contingency Plan beginning Friday, July 3, 2009. The following restrictions apply under Stage II:

(a)  Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.  However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at anytime if it is by means of hand-held hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle, hand-held bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, or drip irrigation system.

(b) Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is prohibited except between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket or hand held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle. Vehicle washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station.  Further, such washing may be exempted from these regulations if the health, safety, and welfare of the public is contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such as garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.

(c)  Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, or Jacuzzi-type pools is prohibited except between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight..

(d) Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting related activities or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare, except that use of water from designated fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed under special permit from the City of Victoria.

(e)    Use of water for the irrigation of golf course greens, tees, and fairways is prohibited except between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight. However, if the golf course utilizes a water source other than that provided by the City of Victoria, the facility shall not be subject to these regulations.

The City of Victoria has increased its use of groundwater and has called for a release of water reserves stored in Canyon Reservoir to supplement its water supply through this very dry period.

In addition to the water restrictions listed above, citizens are asked to practice water conservation at every opportunity. Water conservation practices include such measures as:

• Watering the lawn only when it is necessary. Learn to know when grass needs watering.  If it has turned a dull gray-green or if footprints remain visible, it is time to water.
• Use a sprinkler that produces large drops of water, rather than a fine mist, to avoid evaporation.
• To avoid evaporation, turn soaker hoses so the holes are on the bottom.
• Water slowly for better absorption and never water on windy days.
• Avoid watering the street, sidewalks or driveways.
• Do not water too frequently. Too much water can overload the soil so that air cannot get to the roots and can encourage plant diseases.
• Do not over-water.  Soil can absorb only so much moisture and the rest simply runs off.  A timer will help, and either a kitchen timer or an alarm clock will do.  An inch and one-half of water, applied once a week, will keep most Texas grasses alive and healthy.

For a more comprehensive list of water conservation practices, citizens are encouraged to visit the city’s website at www.victoriatx.org.

The City will remain in Stage II of its Drought Contingency Plan until the level in its Off-Channel Reservoir #8 is restored to normal for a period of 14 consecutive days. Stage I will then be reinitiated until the flow in the Guadalupe River rises to a point above the minimum flow rate for 14 consecutive days.

For more information, visit the City of Victoria’s website at www.victoriatx.org or contact the Public Works Department at 485-3381.

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