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Departments & Services > Public
Services Department > Environmental
> Water Conservation
Water Conservation Requirements
The City
of Saginaw (along with twenty six other cities) purchases its water from the
City of Fort
Worth. By contract, we are required to adopt the same conservation measures
that Fort Worth applies to their own retail customers. The City of Fort Worth
and their 27 wholesale customer cities have adopted water conservation
ordinances. These ordinances were not adopted to restrict the amount of water
used but to make sure the water used for outdoor purposes is used efficiently.
Towards that goal, Saginaw’s water conservation ordinance limits the hours of
watering to those times when water lost to evaporation is lower, requires rain
and freeze sensors on new automatic systems, and requires system operators to
keep the water on the landscaped areas, not streets and sidewalks. The
following information outlines the requirements of the ordinance.
Lawn and Landscape Irrigation Restrictions – Year Round
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No landscape
watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., with the exception of watering by hand
or with soaker hoses.
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A person commits
an offense if he knowingly or recklessly irrigates, waters, causes or
permits irrigation of a lawn or landscape located on premises owned, leased,
or managed to cause.
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A substantial
amount of water to fall on impervious areas instead of a lawn or
landscape, such that a constant stream of water overflows from the lawn
or landscape onto a street or other drainage area; or
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An irrigation
system or other lawn or landscape watering device to operate during any
form of precipitation.
Rain and Freeze Sensors
Residential Systems
Commercial Systems
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Existing commercial underground
irrigation systems must be retrofitted with sensors.
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An annual inspection of rain and freeze
sensors is required. This inspection can be done in conjunction with
current annual backflow assembly inspections.
Enforcement
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Any person, firm or corporation who
violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses to comply with the ordinance
may be fined. Additionally, the city after notification may turn off
automatic irrigation systems for noncompliance with the new rules.
Helpful Conservation Tips
Did you know that half of household water
supply is used outside the home? Here are a few helpful tips to conserve
outside water use:
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Install efficient irrigation systems
such as drip irrigation, soil soakers, or hand water with a garden hose.
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Adjust the sprinkler heads for lawn and
garden only. Don’t water the street or sidewalk.
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Water during the coolest part of the
day. Never water on windy days or during any time of precipitation.
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Increase mowing height to 2 to 3 inches
and apply mulch to both reduce evaporation and prevent weed growth.
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Limit grass areas and use trees, shrubs,
and other plants that require less water to landscape your yard. Grass turf
requires 30 to 50% more water than shrubs and other groundcover.
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Repair or replace leaking hoses and
sprinklers.
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Always use an automatic shut-off nozzle
on hoses.
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Use a broom rather than a hose to clean
decks, sidewalks, and other paved areas.
If you have any questions, you may contact
the Water Department at 817-230-0500.
Thank you for your
help in conserving a precious resource.
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