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Texas drought conditions still in effect
Posted 2/6/2012 Updated 2/6/2012
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by Darcas Pena
Defense Support Services
2/6/2012 - SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Drought conditions are still widespread across the state of Texas. Wichita Falls is still experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions and all citizens are encouraged to help conserve the precious water resources.
Voluntary Restrictions
- Customers are specifically encouraged to limit watering for landscape purposes only, and to only water after 6:00 p.m. and before 10:00 a.m.
Outdoor restriction
- Outdoor water use is not allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. All outdoor water usage is prohibited except by hand-held hoses with manual on and off nozzles.
General Water Conservation Tips
Customers are encouraged to reduce their water usage as much as possible and can do so by using a few of the following tips:
- Do not leave the water running while brushing teeth.
- Wash full loads of laundry.
- Have watering systems inspected each year by a licensed irrigator to ensure proper operation and to get the most out of watering lawns and gardens. About 50 percent of water used outdoors is wasted due to improper installation, maintenance, and use of watering systems.
- Install inexpensive faucet aerators to cut the amount of water used by each faucet by 50 percent.
- Check faucets, and fix any leaks found. Faucet leaks can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water each year.
- Test toilets for leaks; a leaking toilet can waste up to 73,000 gallons of water per year. To test, add a few drops of food coloring or a dye tablet to the water in the tank, but do not flush the toilet. Watch to see if the coloring appears in the bowl within a few minutes. If it does, the toilet has a silent leak that needs to be repaired.
- Look for water-efficient models when replacing plumbing fixtures or appliances. A water-efficient clothes washer uses 50 percent less water than a conventional model. Water-efficient plumbing fixtures can reduce water use by 25 to 60 percent.
For more information on the drought visit Texas Commission on Environments Quality's Drought Information Web page http://www.tceq.texas.gov/response/drought; and for more ways to save water visit www.TakeCareofTEXAS.org.
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