The City of Katy has activated Stage 1 of its Water Conservation Plan due to a continued rise in water pumpage and ongoing high heat in the area, the city announced in multiple emails on August 21.

The goal for water use reduction under Stage 1, Mild, is a five percent of water use compared to Baseline Historical Monthly Average Water Usage as calculated by the City (based on the water usage data over the previous 12-month period), the City said in a press release.

The purpose of actions under Stage 1, Mild, is to raise public awareness of potential drought problems. The following will be implemented:

· Request voluntary reductions in water use by the public.

· Increase public education efforts on ways to reduce water use.

· Notify major water users and work with them to achieve voluntary water use reductions.

· Intensify efforts on leak detection and repair.

· Reduce nonessential City government water use including street cleaning, vehicle washing, and operation of ornamental fountains.

· Reduce City government water use for landscape irrigation.

· Ask the public to voluntary reduce watering and/or irrigate landscape between 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

· Encourage reduction of draining and refilling of swimming pools. Water may be added to existing pools to replace losses from normal use and operation.


This means that the city is asking residents to voluntarily reduce water use:

• Irrigate landscaping only between 12 to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight. • Hold off on draining and refilling swimming pools. • Report leaks and dripping sprinkler heads promptly. • Skip non-essential water use like pressure washing and car washing.

“There’s no mandatory irrigation schedule yet—but conserving now helps us avoid moving to stricter, mandatory stages later,” the city said in its August 21 email to residents.

To learn more about the City’s Drought Contingency Plan and Water Conservation Stages, visit www.cityofkaty.com/water-conservation. Questions? Contact Public Works at publicworksinfo@cityofkaty.com.


· Encourage reduction of draining and refilling of swimming pools. Water may be added to existing pools to replace losses from normal use and operation.