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Drought Information Center
CURRENT STATUS: The City of Cleburne is not operating under any drought restrictions. |
The National Drought Mitigation Center maintains and publishes the U.S. Drought Monitor seen here. Four levels of drought conditions have been defined as related to the City’s water distribution system:
- Stage I Drought Conditions - To be initiated by the City Manager when lake levels reach 75% (Water Surface Elevation 729.2’).
- Stage II Drought Conditions - To be initiated by the City Manager when lake levels reach 61.5% (Water Surface Elevation 726.5’).
- Stage III Drought Conditions - To be initiated by the City Manager when lake levels reach 50% (Water Surface Elevation 723.7’).
- Stage IV Drought Conditions - To be initiated by the City Manager when lake levels reach 25% (Water Surface Elevation 716.2’) or emergency conditions.
All of these conditions are outlined in the City’s Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan.
Please note that the use of effluent water and well water is exempt from the restrictions listed.
Stage I Water Restrictions
In Stage I, the City's year-round, twice-a-week watering schedule will still be in effect. There will still be no unattended watering or irrigation between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Note: Watering with irrigation systems is prohibited for all property types on Mondays.
Other Residential Restrictions:
- Prohibited: Using water in such a manner as to allow runoff or other waste, including:
- Failure to repair a controllable leak, operating a permanently installed irrigation system with broken or misaligned parts,
- Allowing water to to run off a property and form a stream or pond,
- Allowing or causing an irrigation system or other lawn watering device to operate during any form of precipitation or when temperatures are at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Limited: Washing of any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane, or other vehicle to the use of a hand-held bucket and/or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive-pressure shutoff nozzle for quick rinses. Vehicle washing may be done at any time on the premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station.
- Discouraged: Filling, draining, or refilling of swimming pools, wading pools, fountains, ponds, hot tubs and other type pools except to maintain adequate water levels for structural integrity, proper operation and maintenance, and/or to alleviate an issue that poses a public safety risk.
- Discouraged: Hosing of paved areas, such as sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, patios, or other impervious surfaces, except to alleviate an immediate health or safety hazard.
- Discouraged: Hosing of buildings or other structures for purposes other than fire protection or surface preparation prior to painting.
- Discouraged: Establishing new turf. If new hydromulch, grass sod, or grass seed is installed for the purpose of establishing a new lawn, there are no watering restrictions for the first 30 days while it is being established. After the thirty days the watering restrictions set forth in this stage apply. This exception does not include over seeding with cool season grasses if turf already exists.
Other Commercial Restrictions
- Car wash facilities must keep equipment in good working order, which should include regular inspections to be sure there are no leaks, broken and/or misdirected nozzles, and that all equipment is operating as designed.
- All commercial and industrial customers are encouraged to audit irrigation systems to ensure proper condition, settings, and operation. If an irrigation audit or repair occurs during restricted watering times or days, a sign indicating such work is taking place shall be placed in public view until job is completed.
Exceptions
- Watering of gardens used for growing food crops.
- Irrigation of new landscape is allowed at any time of day on any day for the initial 30-days provided that the irrigation is limited to the minimum amount necessary for establishment.
- Watering in of chemicals, including insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides and herbicides is allowed anytime within 24 hours of application.
- Irrigation systems may be operated anytime for maintenance and repair purposes, not to exceed 20 minutes per hour per zone.
- Irrigation using a hand-held hose equipped with a spray nozzle that can be adjusted so water flows only as needed is allowed anytime.
- The use of water from a reclaimed water system is allowed anytime. A reclaimed water system includes systems in which the primary source is reclaimed water, which may or may not be supplemented from another source during peak demand periods.
Water users are also encouraged to reduce frequent swimming pool draining and refilling.
Read more details in the Water Conversation and Drought Contingency Plan. (Drought contingency measures begin on page 51). |
City Water Use
- Cleburne Golf Links: The Golf Course has a target to reduce irrigation water use by 30% during Stage II conditions. The greens are watered every day and will continue as such throughout the plan’s Stage II drought designation. In order to maintain the fairways with a minimum of grass coverage without causing permanent damage, irrigation will occur twice a week. All other areas will be irrigated on Fridays only. These efforts will allow us to meet our water reduction target and staff will monitor usage to ensure the course remains within this target. Irrigation will not occur between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Cleburne Sports Complex: The Sports Complex utilizes treated wastewater (effluent) for its irrigation. The effluent is conveyed from the Wastewater Treatment Plant within the West Reuse Pipeline to a pond located at the Sports Complex where it is stored in order to irrigate the fields (baseball, soccer and football). Effluent is not suitable for human consumption and is therefore a drought-proof source of water for irrigation. The Sports Complex will continue normal operations, with no irrigation occurring between the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Stage II Water Restrictions
In Stage II, Stage I restrictions are still in affect with the following additional restrictions:
- Non-essential water use is prohibited in Stage II. Non-essential is defined as washing house windows, siding, eaves, and roof with a hose without the use of a bucket and a hose cutoff valve; washing driveways, streets, curbs and gutters; washing vehicles without a hose cutoff valve and bucket; draining filling swimming pools; and flushing water systems.
- Outdoor unattended use of water will be permitted only one (1) day each week and only within the designated hours (still no watering from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Attended watering with a hose with a spray nozzle with a shut off or watering with a bucket will not be restricted. Drip irrigation and use of soaker hoses will be restricted to the twice per week schedule. The single watering day schedule for unattended irrigation will be as follows:
Single Water Day Schedule - Unattended Irrigation | |
---|---|
Property Type | Day of the Week to Water |
Residential addresses ending in EVEN numbers - 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 | Saturday |
Residential addresses ending in ODD numbers - 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 | Sunday |
Non-Residential sites (apartments, businesses, parks, common areas) | Friday |
Other Residential Restrictions
- Continue any restrictions required under Stage I.
- Restricted: Drip irrigation and use of soaker hoses will be restricted to the twice per week landscape watering schedule.
- Limited: Washing of any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane, or other vehicle shall be limited to the use of a hand-held bucket and/or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive-pressure shutoff nozzle for quick rinses. Vehicle washing may be done at any time on the premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station.
- Discouraged: Establishing new turf, as it must comply with Stage II restrictions.
- Prohibited: Draining and refilling of swimming pools, wading pools, hot tubs and other type pools except to maintain adequate water levels for structural integrity, proper operation and maintenance, and/or to alleviate an issue that poses a public safety risk.
Use of water from hydrants for any purpose other than firefighting related activities or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety and welfare requires a variance issued by the Public Works Director.
Exceptions
- Watering by hand may occur any day and at any time.
- Once per week landscape watering restrictions do not apply to locations using well water, treated wastewater effluent for irrigation or other alternative water supply sources.
- The use of water necessary for the repair of an irrigation system, plumbing line, fountain, etc. in the presence of person making repair.
- Irrigation of new landscape is allowed at any time of day on any day for the initial 30-days provided that the irrigation is limited to the minimum amount necessary for establishment.
- Watering in of chemicals, including insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides and herbicides is allowed anytime within 24 hours of application.
- Irrigation systems may be operated anytime for maintenance and repair purposes, not to exceed 20 minutes per hour per zone.
- Irrigation using a hand-held hose equipped with a spray nozzle that can be adjusted so water flows only as needed is allowed anytime.
- The use of water from a reclaimed water system is allowed anytime. A reclaimed water system includes systems in which the primary source is reclaimed water, which may or may not be supplemented from another source during peak demand periods.
Read more details in the Water Conversation and Drought Contingency Plan. (Drought contingency measures begin on page 51). |
City Water Use
- Facilities and Traditional Parks: All areas will be irrigated on Fridays only. These efforts will allow us to meet our water reduction target and staff will monitor usage to ensure the course remains within this target. Irrigation will not occur between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(This applies to the: Bank Building, Booker T. Washington Recreation Center, Carver Park, City of Cleburne City Hall, Cleburne Chamber of Commerce, Cleburne Conference Center, Cleburne Public Library, Cleburne Regional Airport, CleTran Building/Parking Lot, Don Moore Field, Fire Stations, Granbury Right-of-Way, Police Station, McGregor Park, Municipal Services, public parking lot across from City Hall.) - Cleburne Golf Links: The Golf Course has a target to reduce irrigation water use by 75% during Stage II conditions. The greens are watered every day and will continue as such throughout the plan’s Stage II drought designation. In order to maintain the fairways with a minimum of grass coverage without causing permanent damage, irrigation will occur twice a week. All other areas will be irrigated on Fridays only. These efforts will allow us to meet our water reduction target and staff will monitor usage to ensure the course remains within this target. Irrigation will not occur between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Cleburne Sports Complex: The Sports Complex utilizes treated wastewater (effluent) for its irrigation. The effluent is conveyed from the Wastewater Treatment Plant within the West Reuse Pipeline to a pond located at the Sports Complex where it is stored in order to irrigate the fields (baseball, soccer and football). Effluent is not suitable for human consumption and is therefore a drought-proof source of water for irrigation. The Sports Complex will continue normal operations, with no irrigation occurring between the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Stage II "Winter" Water Restrictions
In Stage II "Winter," the City transitions into its seasonal adjustment.
Previously, outside watering was limited to one day a week within designated hours. However, November marks the start of the fall/winter water conservation efforts of the plan, which prohibits all outside watering through the month of March. Should the City remain in Stage II Drought conditions, these restrictions will last until April 1.
All other restrictions listed under Stage I and Stage II remain in this seasonal adjustment.
Under this plan, landscape watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems for residential and business properties will not be allowed at any time starting Nov. 1. The use of well water, treated wastewater (effluent) or other alternative water supply sources for irrigation is exempt from this restriction.
Non-essential water use remains prohibited, which includes but is not limited to using water in such a manner that causes runoff or other waste. Read more details in the Water Conversation and Drought Contingency Plan. (Drought contingency measures begin on page 51).
Exceptions during Stage II "Winter"
- Watering by hand may occur any day and at any time.
- Landscape watering restrictions do not apply to locations using well water, treated wastewater effluent for irrigation or other alternative water supply sources.
- The use of water necessary for the repair of an irrigation system, plumbing repair, or fountain, etc. in the presence of the person making the repair.
Read more details in the Water Conversation and Drought Contingency Plan. (Drought contingency measures begin on page 51). |
City Water Use
In compliance with the plan, the City of Cleburne will further restrict its water use to the maximum extent possible for purposes that are not essential for health, safety and sanitary purposes. The Sports Complex will be irrigated using treated wastewater (effluent), which is recycled and not suitable for human consumption. The golf course will aim to reduce its water irrigation by 100% with the exception of watering the green and tee boxes, which will be reduced by 75%.
Stage III Water Restrictions
In Stage III, the restrictions required under Stage I and Stage II remain. In addition, all landscape watering will be prohibited.
Read more details in the Water Conversation and Drought Contingency Plan. (Drought contingency measures begin on page 51). |
Other Restrictions
- Prohibited: Irrigation of new landscapes and/or turfgrass installations by means of automatic and/or manual irrigation systems or hose-end sprinklers. Variances will not be granted for the irrigation of new landscape and/or turf grass installations after the initiation of Stage III drought restrictions.
- Vehicle washing is restricted to commercial car washes, commercial service stations, or professional washing services only. Home and charity car washing is restricted. The washing of garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and/or other perishables may take place as necessary for health, sanitation, or public safety reasons.
- Prohibited: Use of City water for washing of paved areas by any means except to alleviate a possible public health and safety risk.
- Prohibited: Use of City water for hosing of buildings or other structures except to alleviate a possible public health and safety risk, fire protection or surface preparation prior to painting with high-pressure equipment.
- Prohibited: Draining, filling, or refilling of swimming pools, wading pools, fountains, ponds, hot tubs, and other type pools. Existing private and public pools may add water to maintain pool levels.
Stock at commercial plant nursery may be watered only with a hand-held hose, hand-held watering cans, or drip irrigation system.
City Water Use
In compliance with the plan, the City of Cleburne will further restrict its water use to the maximum extent possible for purposes that are not essential for health, safety and sanitary purposes. The Sports Complex will be irrigated using treated wastewater (effluent), which is recycled and not suitable for human consumption. The golf course will aim to reduce its water irrigation by 100% with the exception of watering the green and tee boxes, which will be reduced by 75%.
Stage IV Water Restrictions
In Stage IV, the restrictions required under Stage I, II and III remain. All landscape watering is still prohibited.
Read more details in the Water Conversation and Drought Contingency Plan. (Drought contingency measures begin on page 51). |
As in previous stages, prohibited landscape watering restrictions do not apply to locations using well water, treated wastewater effluent for irrigation or other alternative water supply sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were weekend days chosen as watering days?
Not everyone has an automatic irrigation system. Those who use hoses need some weekend time for watering. If your watering day is Saturday and you want to work in your yard on Saturday morning, try watering Saturday evening after you complete your yard work. Watch for signs of stress before watering. Just because you can water on a certain day doesn’t mean that you have to water.
What is the penalty for violating the watering restrictions?
Violators may be subject to penalties up to $500.
How can I report an irrigation violation?
Community members can report violations by calling 817-645-0977.
Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires all municipal water suppliers to develop and implement a drought contingency plan. The City follows its Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, which outlines processes and required measures for four levels of drought conditions – Mild, Moderate, Severe, and Emergency.
Water Conservation
For more information about water conservation and tips to reduce water use at your home, visit our water conservation web page.