6-25-06 - Hello to all my friends here in Mesquite TX.
The city of Mesquite is a member of the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), which supplies water to over thirty-five cities across north Texas.
The sources of both tap and bottled water include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. The primary source for Mesquite's water is surface water. Water is deliveredfrom Lake Lavon and is supplemented by water from both Lake Texoma and Lake Chapman. Mesquite's water is treated at the NTMWD facility in Wylie.
The current drought has put a severe strain on all available water supplies and emergency measures have been taken to conserve water.
On June 1st 2006, the city of Mesquite followed the directions of the NTWD in implementing a stage 3 drought water conservation plan for the city along with other district member cities and customers.
What this means to the citizens of Mesquite is that water usage will be restricted during the current drought.
Citizens are instucted to do the following:
A schedule concerning lawn watering by Mesquite residents has been issued. The watering of lawns will be limited to one day a week by address. It is to work in this manner; any addresses ending in 0 or 1 can water on Mondays, 2 or 3 on Tuesdays, 4 or 5 on Wednesdays, 6 or 7 on Thursdays, and 8 or 9 on Fridays.
Watering is to be done before 10:00 AM and after 6:00 PM on any day. Residents are not required to water their lawns, it is not mandatory. If you choose to do so, you must folow the schedule.
House foundations may be watered for up to two hours a day, on any day by a hand-held or soaker hose. But not between the hours of 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
No carwash fund-raising events for any organizations will be permitted.
In-ground first-year trees and shrubs can be watered with a hand-held or soaker hose up to 2 hours a day. But, not between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. The planting of new landscaping is discouraged.
Do not allow water or other runoff to occur.
Operating of any ornamental fountain or pond that uses treated water is prohibited except when it is necessary to support aquatic life.
Pools may not be drained and refilled again. Only replace normal water loss. New pools can be permitted and filled.
Walkways, driveways, parking lots, courts, structures and hard surfaces cannot be washed.
The using of water for dust control is prohibited unless special permission by the City Public Works Director is obtained.
Any leaking or broken water pipes should be repaired as soon as possible. Also when using washing machines or dishwashers, do full loads only. Choosing baths over showers will also help. All these suggested actions will go a long way in conseving water.
Hopefully these measures taken by the NTMWD and the city, along with common sense, will help the citizens of Mesquite during the drought and will conserve enough water until wetter weather arrives in the autumn.
Any additional questions that citizens may have about the stage three water restrictions can be answered by calling the city's water hotline at 972-329-8533
Meanwhile, pray for rain.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Sergio Garcia