Outdoor Watering Restrictions

• Are we running out of water in Lewisville?

  The city’s water supply is stable and we are not currently experiencing a shortage. During the peak summer months, there are days when we get very near our system capacity. The restrictions should alleviate that risk.

• Can my nonprofit group still hold a fundraising car wash?

  Yes, fundraising car washes are allowed during Stage 1 measures, however a variance request is required and a time limit will be set based on the time of day, citywide water usage and other factors. It would be best if you are able to have the event on an assigned watering day for the property where you will hold the car wash, but that is not required. Please be aware that fundraising car washes will no longer be allowed if the North Texas water crisis worsens and Lewisville enacts Stage 2 or Stage 3 measures.

• Do outdoor watering restrictions really work?

  According to a 2004 study conducted in Colorado through the American Water Resources Association, mandatory outdoor watering restrictions are highly effective in reducing water use. That study showed water-use reductions of 18 to 56 percent during mandatory restrictions, compared to just 4 to 12 percent under voluntary measures. As one might expect, the cities with the strictest measures typically saw the greatest reduction in water use. 
  
  Lewisville enacted drought-related mandatory outdoor watering restrictions for the first time in July and August of 2013. This 60-day period was selected because it is generally the highest demand period for water each year. Results from that 60-day period are consistent with the Colorado study. 
  
  During the restrictions, citywide water use dropped by 10 percent compared to the same months in 2012, and by 29 percent compared to the record dry summer of 2011. Total billable gallons of water used during July and August of 2013 were 886 million, compared to 998 million during those months in 2012 when voluntary measures were in place. 
  
  Water use by both residential and irrigation customers during July-August 2013 was lower than the same two months for any of the previous four years, and by a significant amount. 
  
  That is particularly important because residential customers use about 45 percent of the water demand and commercial irrigation systems use about 20 percent, so reductions among those two classes of water users have the greatest overall impact. 
  
  The reduction might have been more significant during 2013, but city officials decided to be lenient in their enforcement of the restrictions. This was done for two primary reasons – customers had never before faced mandatory restrictions in Lewisville so needed to be educated, and the two-month restrictions gave the City a chance to measure effectiveness. 
  
  During the two months of mandatory restrictions, a total of 222 notices of violation were issued (124 in July and 98 in August). Most of those were written notices, and only six were actual warning citations. No fines were assessed. 
  
  The year-round mandatory restrictions that took effect May 1, 2014, will more strictly enforcement's following a brief “introductory” period and public education campaign. City workers will be trained to watch for possible watering violations, and inspectors will respond quickly to possibly violations reported by the public. Voluntary compliance is preferable – and the right thing to do – but stricter enforcement is planned in order to help avoid a possible water crisis in Lewisville.

• Do the restrictions also apply to commercial and multi-family customers?

  Yes, the measures apply to all City water customers. Multi-Family and HOA properties should follow the commercial watering schedule.
  

• How do I apply for a variance, and how much does it cost?

  There is no cost to apply for a variance. You can submit a request via email to rdavis@cityoflewisville.com. Please include a description of your specific variance request, including why you are seeking a variance and what accommodations you want made. Although not every variance can be granted, the City will attempt to accommodate reasonable requests related to new plantings, large tracts, and non-City water sources.

• How were the watering restrictions determined?

  The restrictions are virtually identical to those being applied in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington and many other North Texas cities. The intent is to reduce the confusion that can arise when neighboring cities have different sets of rules in place.

• How will the city enforce the watering restrictions?

  City workers will watch for possible watering violations while travelling around the city on other assignments, and the city also will act on complaints submitted by the public. If needed, the city could assign some city workers to specifically focus on outdoor watering violations. Our hope is for voluntary compliance. We would prefer never to issue a ticket for watering violations – but we will if we have to.

• I have my own well, so do I have to follow these restrictions?

  Because properties with their own well are not drawing from the city water supply, they are not bound by the outdoor watering restrictions. However, we do request that those properties either voluntarily follow the same odd-even schedule for outdoor watering, or post a temporary sign stating that they use a private well.

• If I water my lawn at night, won’t that cause the grass to get a fungus?

  With proper watering practices, there is very little risk of this happening. Golf courses have watered their greens and fairways at night for decades, yet golf courses are the most common example for lush, healthy grass.

• Is the city going to reimburse me if my grass or plants die from lack of water?

  Unfortunately, this is not an option. With rain scarce and water in increasingly short supply, some water-dependent plants are not going to survive. If you do lose any plants, we strongly encourage you to replace them with drought-resistant native plantings.

• Is there anything the City can do to get more rain?

  We wish! If you know of a method that works, please let us know. In the meantime, until the rains come and the lakes rise, the North Texas water supply crisis will continue.

  Even when we are not in a drought, the city is only able to provide a set volume of water per day. When that volume is exceeded or used at or near the max for several days it draws upon water storage that is present in case of fire emergencies. Doing our part to conserve water means water is available to put out fires and/or prevent boil water notices.

• Isn’t this just a ploy by the city to get more money out of its water customers?

  Not at all. In fact, if our customers use less water, we will actually receive less revenue. While the second and third stages of the emergency water plan do allow for the possibility of higher rates for higher levels of water use, the intent would be to discourage that higher use, not to increase revenue.

• My lawn is special and requires more watering than twice a week. Am I supposed to just let my grass die?

  Experts at the Texas A&M Agricultural Extension Office say watering deeply once or twice a week is sufficient for nearly any lawn. In fact, more frequent watering can result in under-developed root systems that make your lawn more susceptible to dry conditions. Keep in mind, though, that lawns usually go dormant during drought but do not die off completely – when the rain comes back, so will your green grass.

• What about businesses that rely on watering, such as nurseries, golf courses or car washes?

  There are specific rules for those types of customers, and those rules will be communicated directly to those businesses before they take effect. The intent is to make reasonable accommodations for those businesses when possible. Most of those restrictions come in later stages of the Emergency Water Management Plan.

• What if I just installed new sod or landscaping?

  You can request a variance that will allow additional outdoor watering for a limited period of time, allowing those plants to become established. However, we strongly encourage you to consider installing drought-resistant native plantings that will not require as much watering.

• Why do I see a business park or school watering more than twice per week?

  Some properties are so large that they cannot water all zones of their irrigation system within the time allotted. Those properties can request a variance to water on a different schedule, but with each irrigation zone still only being watered twice per week.

• Why do I see sprinklers running at city parks more than twice per week?

  Railroad Park uses detention ponds tied into the Trinity River to essentially “recycle” the water used for irrigation. Those sprinklers are not drawing from the city water supply, so have the same exemption as a few other properties around town with a similar situation.

• Why does the city impose restrictions on outdoor watering?

  The state of Texas has been in severe drought conditions for several years, and the state’s water supply is being stretched thin. Some cities already are in water emergencies and are at risk of running out of water. Restrictions are intended to encourage conservation and reduce use in order to preserve the state’s water supply. In addition, because Lewisville purchases water from Dallas Water Utilities and Upper Trinity Regional Water District, we are contractually expected to implement similar measures to those put in place by Dallas and UTRWD.