Can summer be over now? I think that’s what we’re all asking ourselves. Seems like we have at least two more months to go with little relief in sight.
Rest assured the WSWSC and PGMS are closely monitoring the water system to ensure we have no disruptions during this time. PGMS has caught up on all known leaks. Just in time for the peak usage months of the year. I’d like to thank all residents who have been reporting suspected leaks. Several leaks were first brought to our attention by residents. Our monthly water loss (measurement of all non-customer side leaks) matches the lowest levels we’ve had in past years. This ensures that we have enough capacity to weather any large system or resident leaks that may emerge during the peak summer months.
Speaking of leaks, some of you may be wondering why it takes so long to get them fixed. There are some problems we’ve had that have been exacerbated by supply chain issues. PGMS has had difficulty not only finding plumbing parts to fix leaks, but also to fix their equipment. Couple that with a difficult market to rent excavating equipment and we have a recipe for delays. I know it’s frustrating to see gallons of fresh water running down the ditch. We hate it too. But sometimes there is no way to isolate and temporarily stop a leak without shutting off service to a whole section of houses.
We’ve completed the pump testing of our two new wells. The analysis of the data is being done as I write this. The initial results look promising. Once we get the final results and regulatory approvals complete, we can commence completing all the infrastructure related to these two wells. All of us responsible for water production in Whitewater Springs will be excited to see these wells come online. We believe they will support our growth for at least the next 10 years if not through completion of Whitewater Springs. It will also increase our ability to withstand unexpected leaks or equipment malfunctions.
Finally, I’d like to address the water stages sign at the front of our development. We are currently at Stage I even though Burnet County is in an extended drought. Our water stages are based on the percentage of water pumped vs the capacity of our wells. For the month of June, we were running at 82% of our pumping capacity. If we reach 90% in any day we will move to Stage II, 95% Stage III and 100% Stage IV. We move the stage back down to the next lower stage after usage reduces for 3 days. Here are the restrictions at each stage:
- Stage I (our current stage) – Voluntary Water Use Restrictions:
Water customers are requested to voluntarily limit the use of water for nonessential purposes and to practice water conservation. - Stage II – Voluntary Water Use Restrictions:
- Restricted Hours: Outside watering is allowed daily, but only during periods specifically described in the customer notice; between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. for example.
- Restricted Days/Hours: Water customers are requested to voluntarily limit the irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems. Customers are requested to limit outdoor water use to Mondays for water customers with a street address ending with the numbers 1, 2, or 3, Wednesdays for water customers with a street address ending with the numbers 4, 5, or 6, and Fridays for water customers with a street address ending with the numbers 7, 8, 9, or 0. Irrigation of landscaped areas is further limited to the hours of 12:00 midnight until 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight on designated watering days. However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at any time if it is by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet-filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, or drip irrigation system; or
- Other use that wastes water such as water running down the gutter.
- Stage III- Mandatory Water Use Restrictions:
- Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to Mondays for water customers with a street address ending with the numbers 1, 2, or 3, Wednesdays for water customers with a street address ending with the numbers 4, 5, or 6, and Fridays for water customers with a street address ending with the numbers 7, 8, 9, or 0. Irrigation of landscaped areas is further limited to the hours of 12:00 midnight until 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight on designated watering days. However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at any time if it is by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet-filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, or drip irrigation system.
- Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rinses. Vehicle washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station. Further, such washing may be exempted from these regulations if the health, safety, and welfare of the public are contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such as garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.
- Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, or hot tubs is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.
- Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.
- Use of water from hydrants or flush valves shall be limited to maintaining public health, safety, and welfare.
- Use of water for the irrigation of golf courses, parks, and green belt area is prohibited except by hand-held hose and only on designated watering days between the hours 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.
- The following uses of water are defined as nonessential and are prohibited:
a. wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas;
b. use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection;
c. use of water for dust control;
d. flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street;
e. failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s); and
f. any waste of water.
- Stage IV – Mandatory Water Use Restrictions: (all outdoor use of water is prohibited)
- Irrigation of landscaped areas is absolutely prohibited.
- Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is absolutely prohibited.
image sources
- drought-1675729_1920: Image by Jose Antonio Alba from Pixabay