Cleburne prepares for Stage 2 drought response

Monica Faram, Cleburne Times-Review, Texas
·2 min read

Aug. 4—According to the National Drought Mitigation Center, the city of Cleburne and the entirety of Johnson County, are in an exceptional drought status.

In response to low lake levels, the city is transitioning to Stage 2 drought response of its Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan.

Stage 1 and 2 Drought Conditions requirements are triggered when the capacity in Lake Pat Cleburne drops to a level below 75 percent of the conservation storage capacity.

The city went into Stage 1 on July 26.

Stage 2 is initiated by City Manager Steve Polasek when mild drought continues, lake elevations have continued to decline and long-range weather and soil moisture conditions point to continuance of drought conditions.

The Stage 2 drought response, effective Monday, includes additional irrigation restrictions for residential and non-residential operations.

During Stage 2, non-essential water is prohibited. 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 (sprinkling of landscape vegetation) will be permitted only one day each week from March through October and only within the designated hours. No watering is allowed 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 is as follows:

—Friday for non-residential sites (apartments, businesses, parks, common areas)

—Saturday residential addresses ending in even numbers.

—Sunday residential addresses ending in odd numbers.

Also because of the low water levels, the boat ramps have been closed at the lake. The Buddy Stewart and the West Boat Ramp are Closed and the East Boat Ramp closed on July 21.

Violators may be subject to penalties up to $500. Community members can report violations by calling 817-645-0977.

For more information about water conservation and tips to reduce water use at your home, visit WaterIsAwesome.com.