The City of Clarendon is asking citizens to help meet a 30 percent reduction in water usage as the Greenbelt Reservoir nears a Stage Four drought condition.
As the Enterprise went to press Tuesday night, the Board of Aldermen were preparing to meeting to discuss adoption of an ordinance to include provisions for mandatory water use restrictions as well as setting penalties for those who do not comply with the law. Any action on that item will be posted on ClarendonLive.com and reported in next week’s print edition.
City Administrator Lambert Little told the Enterprise that preserving the city’s drinking water had to be a priority for all citizens.
“This is a critical time for the City of Clarendon and all Greenbelt water users,” Little said.
“I am certain that the citizens appreciate the seriousness of our water shortage. I know that all citizens will do their parts to achieve a 30 percent reduction of water use without the imposition of harsh penalties.”
Renee Betts at Greenbelt Municipal & Industrial Water Authority said the reservoir was at a depth of 48.91 feet on Tuesday morning, less than one foot away from Stage Four and dropping.
“Everyone needs to conserve water anywhere they can,” Betts said. “Quit watering the street would be a good start.”
City Hall had several recommendations for reducing water usage that were going before the Aldermen Tuesday night:
1. Limit outside watering to twice-a-week and then only before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m. Residential customers with odd-numbered street addresses should water on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Even-numbered addresses should water on Thursdays and Sundays, and commercial customers should water on Tuesdays and Fridays.
2. Limit washing motor vehicles, motorbikes, boats, and other vehicles at home to before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on your designated watering day, and then use a bucket and/or hand-held hose with a shut-off nozzle. Commercial car washes are excepted.
3. Avoid filling swimming pools except during the above hours.
4. Avoid operating ornamental fountains unless necessary to support aquatic life or if equipped with a recirculation system.
5. Do not water-wash driveways, sidewalks, or other hard-surfaced areas. Do not wash down buildings or structures except for immediate fire protection.
6. Repair all leaks as soon as possible, and report any leaks or unauthorized usage to City Hall. Night and weekend emergency leaks should be reported to the Donley County Sheriff’s Office at 806-874-3533.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.