Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Resources Drought Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wichita Falls council ends Stage 1 drought watch; year-round water conservation measures resume
Summary
After reservoir levels rose following heavy rains, the council adopted a resolution terminating Stage 1 drought watch restrictions and resuming the city's year-round water conservation measures as described in section 106-186(a) of the city code; staff said reservoirs were at about 96.9% full.
Wichita Falls — The City Council on May 20 approved a resolution terminating Stage 1 drought watch water-use restrictions and resuming the city’s regular year-round water conservation measures described in Section 106-186(a) of the Code of Ordinances.
Staff told the council that recent rainfall raised municipal reservoir levels; a staff presentation said reservoirs were approximately 96.9% full as of the latest Monday reservoir report and that the Water Resources Commission had voted unanimously to recommend rolling back Stage 1 restrictions. Staff noted the city had been in Stage 1 restrictions since October 2024.
Under the resumed year-round measures, the chief year-round restriction that remains in force is the time-of-day watering limit (no watering after 10 a.m. or before 7 p.m.). Council discussion noted that residents have generally become more drought-conscious and that the city's water enterprise revenues cover treatment and system costs.
A resident asked whether the city could return to restrictions quickly if lakes fall again; staff said restrictions are automatically triggered when reservoirs fall to 65% and that the council would not need to act to move back into a formal stage under those rules.
The council approved the resolution by voice vote during the regular meeting; staff said the change follows the Water Resources Commission recommendation and is effective immediately.
