More Water Restrictions in Big Spring
By: Jamie Kuras
Updated: July 13, 2011
MIDLAND -- The city of Big Spring is about to see their watering days go from 2 days a week to 1.
City Manager Gary Fuqua gave his reasoning why this was their only choice and the council agreed. This new restriction will start as early as this week.
"We've been struggling at our water treatment plant to maintain our limit established by the 20% reduction," said Big Spring Assistant City Manager Todd Darden.
The new restriction will limit outdoor water use from 6pm - 10pm on Saturdays. Businesses will be able to water Tuesdays from 6am - 10am. And this now includes watering with a hose.
"Right now, you can water at any time any day with a water hose as long as it's controlled in your hand," said City Manager Gary Fuqua. "We're gonna have to restrict that to once a week. It would be the same day and same hour you can use your sprinkler system."
The city will also be using a hot-line for residents to report people who are violating the restrictions.
"We're gonna go out, knock on doors and make sure that everyone gets a warning the first time," said Fuqua. "If we have to come back a second time, there will be citations issued."
The biggest reason for more restrictions is 2 of the 3 resevoirs that supply water to Big Spring and surrounding areas are less then 3% full.
The Colorado River Municiple Water District is hoping to get a $140 million bond passed that will develop groundwater and produce 45 million gallons a day for areas in West Texas.
"That basically gives us an emergency supply of water if the lakes dry up," said CRMWD General Manager John Grant. "We will be able to meet everyone's basic health and safety needs."
The hotline for Big Spring residents should be up and running in a few days. The number to call is (432) 264-2548.
You can remain anonymous when you call. No person will answer the call. It's a messaging system only. Someone will check the messages every couple of hours and they will send out police or code enforcement to follow up on any message.
City Manager Gary Fuqua gave his reasoning why this was their only choice and the council agreed. This new restriction will start as early as this week.
"We've been struggling at our water treatment plant to maintain our limit established by the 20% reduction," said Big Spring Assistant City Manager Todd Darden.
The new restriction will limit outdoor water use from 6pm - 10pm on Saturdays. Businesses will be able to water Tuesdays from 6am - 10am. And this now includes watering with a hose.
"Right now, you can water at any time any day with a water hose as long as it's controlled in your hand," said City Manager Gary Fuqua. "We're gonna have to restrict that to once a week. It would be the same day and same hour you can use your sprinkler system."
The city will also be using a hot-line for residents to report people who are violating the restrictions.
"We're gonna go out, knock on doors and make sure that everyone gets a warning the first time," said Fuqua. "If we have to come back a second time, there will be citations issued."
The biggest reason for more restrictions is 2 of the 3 resevoirs that supply water to Big Spring and surrounding areas are less then 3% full.
The Colorado River Municiple Water District is hoping to get a $140 million bond passed that will develop groundwater and produce 45 million gallons a day for areas in West Texas.
"That basically gives us an emergency supply of water if the lakes dry up," said CRMWD General Manager John Grant. "We will be able to meet everyone's basic health and safety needs."
The hotline for Big Spring residents should be up and running in a few days. The number to call is (432) 264-2548.
You can remain anonymous when you call. No person will answer the call. It's a messaging system only. Someone will check the messages every couple of hours and they will send out police or code enforcement to follow up on any message.
