In mid- August the Nacogdoches City Council initiated Stage 1 of the City’s water conservation plan. The purpose of the water conservation plan is to conserve the available water supply, protect the integrity of water supply facilities and minimize effects of a possible water supply shortage. The current drought is expected to last well into 2012, and protecting water resources is critical at this point in time.
City staff is proud to report after a month; the voluntary water conservation efforts helped saved up to 50% usage at some sites. Below is a sample of the City’s conservation efforts at our historic sites, adhering to Stage 1 of the voluntary water conservation plan:
CVB – start time 1:30 am Thurs & Sun
44% reduction in usage by 700 minutes or 11 hrs and 40 minutes of watering
Sterne-Hoya – start time 1:00 am Thurs & Sun
50% reduction in usage by 910 minutes or 15 hrs and 10 minutes of watering
Durst-Taylor – start time 1:00 am Wed. & Sat.
Reduction of 325 minutes or 3 hrs and 25 minutes of watering
RR Depot – start time 2:00 am Thurs & Sun
Reduction of 300 minutes or 5 hours of watering
While Stage I of the water conservation plan maintains voluntary actions of citizens; residents are encouraged to participate to help conserve water resources. Residents with even numbered home addresses are encouraged to water only on Thursdays from 8 p.m. until Friday at 8 a.m. and Sundays from 8 p.m. to Monday at 8 a.m. Residents with odd numbered home addresses are encouraged to water only on Wednesdays from 8 p.m. to Thursday at 8 a.m. and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to Sunday 8 a.m. Stage I also encourages citizens to participate in various water conservation techniques.
While Stage I of the water conservation plan has been enacted, continued drought conditions and low participation from citizens in the water conservation plan could lead to further steps to ensure the stability of Nacogdoches’ water resources. “This is a precautionary measure we have taken, however it is possible that other steps will need to be taken in the near future,” said Bartlett. A complete list of water conservation tips can be found on the City’s facebook page and on the City’s website www.ci.nacogdoches.tx.us. Interested residents can also obtain a copy of advanced stages of the drought contingency plan by contacting the City Engineering Department at 936-559-2516.
