DROUGHT STATUS 2022

On June 29,2022 the City of Lake Jackson entered into Stage 1 of its drought contingency program as an effort to conserve water and to control water use among businesses and residents.

The decision to enter Stage 1 was prompted after the U.S. Drought Monitor declared that Brazoria County was experiencing an extreme drought, known as a D3 level. The only drought level higher than D3-extreme is D4-exceptional. The City has also been working with the Brazosport Water Authority to address municipal water conditions. The BWA has also begun drought contingency efforts.

The City’s drought contingency plan has three stages to address the use of water among the city itself, businesses, and residents. 

• Stage 1 addresses mild water shortages. 
• Stage 2 address moderate shortages 
• Stage 3 addresses severe water shortages.

City crews will monitor municipal water use daily. If water use increases, the City will raise the drought level, said Modesto Mundo, city manager.

“At this time, we have not hit a trigger that raises a loud alarm, but we have seen enough fluctuations in our water use that we believe it is important to address it proactively,” he said. “We will continue to have water on standby during the Fourth of July fireworks display.”

In Stage 1, business and residents are asked to follow a 5-step plan to conserve water.

STAGE 1 WATER CONSERVATION

Yards, Landscapes & Gardens

Residents are asked to voluntarily limit watering their lawns and landscaped areas to alternate days. Residents with even numbered addresses are asked to water on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays while residents with odd numbered addresses are asked to water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Watering yards, landscapes and gardens is allowed anytime if it is done with a hand-held hose or a watering container of five gallons or less. A drip irrigation system can also be used anytime.

Vehicle Washing

Residents are not allowed to use water to wash motor vehicles, motorbikes, boats, trailers, airplanes or other vehicles except on designated watering days.

They can wash them any day with a hand-held bucket or hand-held hose that has a positive shutoff nozzle. The intent is for residents to use the tools for quick rinses.

Residents can take their vehicles to a commercial car wash any day. Also, automobile dealerships or automobile rental agencies that must wash cars for immediate sale or rental are allowed to do so.

Exceptions: Residents and businesses can use water anytime if health, safety and welfare of the public is contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing. Examples of these kinds of vehicle washing are garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.

Swimming pools, wading pools, jacuzzi and hot tubs

Filling, refilling, or adding water to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, or jacuzzi type pools must be done on designated watering days.

Water hydrant use are limited to firefighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare. The City can designate fire hydrant use for construction through a special permit.

Recreational and amusement facilities can only irrigate on designated watering days unless they use a non-municipal water source. If they use a non-city water source, they can irrigate anytime.

Nonessential Watering

In Stage 1 the following activities are considered non-essential:

• Wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas
• Wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection
• Use of water for dust control
• Flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street

Repairs

Businesses and residents must repair a controllable leak(s) within a forty-eight (48) hour period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s).