City updates drought status

Dallas’ rainfall totals for 2015 are higher than normal — this is good news for Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) and North Texans.

Total water supplies have improved more than ten percent since January with water storage about six percent higher today than this time last year. Currently Dallas water supplies are at about 78 percent remaining capacity.

Dallas residents and DWU customers will still be asked to observe outdoor watering restrictions from April 1 – October 31 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Dallas’ Stage 1 drought will trigger once water supply reservoirs are 65 percent full. If relative drought conditions persist, DWU models project the City may enter Stage 1 of the Drought Management Plan late summer 2015 rather than April as originally projected.

The current Drought Contingency Plan was adopted by City Council in 2014. The plan was developed in partnership with other water providers in North Texas to be a simplified and consistent regional model to reduce customer confusion and simplify enforcement. The regional plan has three stages with the same irrigation restrictions in each stage. Stage 2 of the plan allows watering only once-per-week, and is triggered in Dallas if the DWU water supply reaches 50 percent capacity. Stage 3 prohibits all outdoor watering except for trees and foundations, and is initiated when the City has 30 percent of its remaining water supply.

Through a combination of irrigation efficiency ordinances, incentive programs and public awareness, DWU customers have saved more than 250 billion gallons of water since 2001. These water saving efforts have helped mitigate the impact of the drought in Dallas and delayed the need for additional water resources

DWU continues to monitor the ongoing drought conditions and will provide periodic updates on the status of the water supply.

For more information, visit http://dallascityhall.com/departments/waterutilities