By Brad Kellar
Greenville – Drought conditions have forced City of Greenville officials to encourage citizens to limit water usage.
City Manger Steven Alexander has announced the implementation of water conservation measures due to the lack of rainfall. This calls for a voluntary reduction in total water use and/or daily water demand, and asks for cooperation among residents and water customers.
Stage 1 of the City's Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan requests that water customers voluntarily limit the irrigation of landscaped areas and to practice water conservation and to minimize or discontinue water use for non-essential purposes.
Furthermore, wholesale water customers are also subject to Stage 1 restrictions and are being notified of their requirements. Current wholesale customers are encouraged to implement conservation plans similar in nature to the City's plan.
The initiation of a Stage 1 took effect after levels at Lake Tawakoni fell under 434 feet, and the Palmer Drought Severity Index listed Greenville in a moderate drought.
Under the Plan the City will initiate pumping from Lake Tawakoni when necessary and will discontinue flushing of water mains.
Stage 1 of the Plan may be rescinded when two or more conditions listed as triggering events have ceased to exist. These conditions will only be mitigated by substantial rainfall.