Water restriction ‘trigger’ categories revised | Rockport

New guidelines for implementing water restrictions were approved by the Rockport City Council at its regular meeting July 28. The action amends the City Water Conservation Plan to mirror that of the City of Corpus Christi’s Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan which was updated in April.

Under previous plans, restrictions were ratcheted up as the combined water levels of the Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon Reservoir System dropped below 50 percent, 40 percent, 30 percent, 20 percent, and 10 percent.

Under the new plan, increasingly harsher restrictions are implemented at the 50, 40 and 30 percent levels. The restrictions included in the 20 and 10 percent levels in the old plan are now included in the 30 percent level.

Restrictions

When the reservoir storage capacity goes below 50 percent, the City of Corpus Christi will issue public notice informing water users of voluntary conservation measures, and drought management measures which will be taken at 40 percent and 30 percent of capacity.

When  reservoir capacity goes below 40 percent, vegetation may not be watered between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., with certain exceptions.

When reservoir storage capacity goes below 30 percent, in addition to the restrictions at the 40 percent level, lawns may not be watered more often than every five days, with certain exceptions.

Other changes were cosmetic in nature.

City Manager Tom Blazek noted the city ultimately receives its water from Corpus Christi and must therefore abide by its rules, at a minimum. He said the reservoir system fell below the 30 percent level in 2001, and below 20 percent in 1995.

via rockportpilot.com