Water Conservation
Low Lake Levels Prompt Stage 3 Effective June 1
The level of Lake Lavon as of May 24 is 484.38 - 66% of conservation pool. Top of conservation pool is 492.
Due to low lake levels, increased water use during the summer months for landscape irrigation, and other water supply/drought related issues, North Texas Municipal Water District Board voted to enact Stage 3 water restrictions effective June 1. Once weekly watering will be required.
Stage 3 restrictions will be available on this page on May 31 as we remain under Stage 2 restrictions until June 1. In addition, all water utility account holders will receive an informational flyer and a water schedule map in June.
Stage 2 Watering Restrictions
STAGE 2 of the Water Conservation and Drought Contingency and Emergency Water Response Plan for the City of Allen, Texas (the Plan), Ordinance No. 2760-8-08 is in effect. 10% REDUCTION GOAL is required by North Texas Municipal Water District.
At Stage 2, customers may use sprinklers or irrigation systems twice weekly (if needed) for landscape/lawn watering. Customers must use the Stage 2 Outdoor Watering Schedule Map to identify what days watering is permitted for their neighborhood. These are the ONLY days permitted. Items included in Stage 2 of the Plan are as follows:
- All other restrictions apply from the Water Conservation Plan and Stage 1 of the Plan.
- Limit landscape watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems to no more than two days per week (if needed), as delineated by the Stage 2 Outdoor Watering Schedule Map. ET/Smart irrigation systems are not exempt from this twice weekly watering limitation. Exception: Use of hand-held hose, soaker hoses, or permanently installed drip irrigation systems may be used for up to two hours any day as needed for lawn/landscape. Conserve all possible to avoid a return to Stage 3!
- Water may not be trucked or otherwise transported into the City for irrigation purposes.
- Prohibit landscape watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems from 10 AM to 6 PM beginning April 1 through October 31 of each year. Hand-held hose, soaker hoses or permanently installed drip irrigation systems watering of plant materials during this time may be permitted as long as no runoff occurs.
- Prohibit planting/watering of cool season grasses (such as rye grass or other similar grasses). NO WINTER OVERSEEDING ALLOWED.
- Prohibit watering of impervious surfaces. (Excessive sprinkler runoff on sidewalks/streets NOT permitted.)
- Prohibit outdoor watering during precipitation or freeze events.
- Prohibit the use of treated water to fill or refill residential, amenity, and any other natural or manmade ponds with a surface area of 500 square feet or more.
This is not a complete listing of Stage 2. See Drought Plan and implementing ordinance for more information. Report a watering violation by calling 214.509.4160.
Please conserve, don’t waste water! Until Lake Texoma water supply is returned to normal, NTMWD may continue in the Drought Contingency and Emergency Water Response Plan.
Why are we still under water restrictions?
Currently Lake Lavon remains below conservation pool level. Water supply from Lake Texoma remains unavailable due the infestation of an invasive species called zebra mussels. Lake Texoma accounts for a very significant 28 percent of the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) water supply.
Before Lake Texoma is available again, the NTMWD must finish construction of a $300 million water transmission line from this source to the water treatment plant at Wylie. For these reasons Allen residents, along with all of NTMWD’s regional customers, must continue water conservation efforts.
The City’s summer water consumption is 3.75 times our winter consumption due to increased landscape irrigation. This fact should make it apparent why the City restricts landscape irrigation as the primary way to achieve water use reductions as we continue Stage 2.
Please adhere to your designated watering days.
Why We Should Conserve Water
An adequate supply of high quality water has become a critical issue for the future prosperity of Texas, where water is a limited resource. Due to increasing population, water demand is projected to exceed supply by 2030, based on current use rates. Protecting, managing and planning for the wise use of our water resources is an efficient and effective strategy to meet future water supply needs.
Actually, the entire state is banking on water-saving strategies. Texas' 50-year water plan envisions getting about 25% of its supplies through improved conservation, including better irrigation techniques, low-flow indoor plumbing fixtures and reuse of existing water supplies. Unfortunately, water conservation alone will not meet all our needs. Future water supplies will need to be developed to meet the water demands of a population estimated to exceed 3.8 million by the year 2060.
As part of our water conservation efforts in the City of Allen, please reference information in our Water Conservation and Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Response Plan.
For quick tips on water conservation, view our Conserving Water Indoors and Conserving Water Outdoors pages. You can also reference the Education & Online Resources page for upcoming seminars, like the Sustainable Landscape Series, and information from related organizations.
About Our Water Supply
The City of Allen is a member city of North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD). All of the City's Water and Waste Water Treatment Services are provided by NTMWD, who is the regional wholesale supplier of potable water.
More than 1.6 million people rely on this treated water. The raw water sources include Lavon Lake, Lake Texoma, Jim Chapman Lake (Cooper Lake), Lake Tawakoni, and the East Fork of the Trinity River southeast of Dallas.
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