The City of Oyster Creek entered today into Stage 2 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 2 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 and 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.

Stage 2 Response – MODERATE Water Shortage Conditions.

Water Use Restrictions for Demand Reduction:

Under threat of penalty for violation, the following water use restrictions shall apply to all persons:

(a)   Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to Sundays and Thursdays for customers with a street address ending in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6 or 8), and Saturdays and Wednesdays for water customers with a street address ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9), and irrigation of landscaped areas is further limited to the hours of 12:00 midnight until 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight on designated watering days.  However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at anytime if it is by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, or drip irrigation system.

(b)  Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.  Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rises.  Vehicle washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station.  Further, such washing may be exempted from these regulations if the health, safety, and welfare of the public is contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such as garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.

(c)  Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, or Jacuzzi-type pools is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. and between 8 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.

(d)  Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.

(e)  Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare, except that use of water from designated fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed under special permit from the       (name of your water supplier).

(f)   Use of water for the irrigation of golf course greens, tees, and fairways is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. and between 8 p.m. and 12:00 midnight. However, if the golf course utilizes a water source other than that provided by the       (name of your water supplier), the facility shall not be subject to these regulations.

(g) All restaurants are prohibited from serving water to patrons except upon request of the patron.

(h)  The following uses of water are defined as non-essential and are prohibited:

1. wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas;
2. use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection;
3. use of water for dust control;
4. flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street; and
5. failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s).