August 5, 2011

Where Your Water Comes From

As the drought in North Texas continues, everyone’s looking for big, fat rain droplets to provide water relief for the greenery and get our lake levels up. But besides sprinkling our lawns, how does rain fit into the water supply system?

“When it rains, it’s washing the city,” said Dustan Compton, Arlington Water Utilities’ conservation program coordinator. “And everything on the ground is carried by runoff to the local streams, which goes to larger rivers, which goes to our lakes.”

Then, the lake and reservoir water—piped in from Arlington and Benbrook lakes and Richland-Chambers, Cedar Creek, Bridgeport and Eagle Mountain reservoirs—is treated before it makes its way to your home.

Rainwater flows directly into the streams and reservoirs. Litter lying on the ground is swept up with the rainwater and carried into the creeks and streams. In order to keep our water clean, dispose of trash in proper trash receptacles. Also, avoid putting fertilizer on lawns before storms. The recently applied fertilizer can be washed away from your yard with the stormwater and carried into the creeks, streams and lakes. Arlington promotes picking up after your dog. If you leave pet waste out, the rain will push the feces into creeks and will eventually end up in the lakes, polluting the water.

Polluted water affects you in two main ways. First, the waste dirties a favorite recreational place. Second, water rates can increase with higher levels of pollution because more water treatment is required to turn it into safe drinking water.

To keep water rates low and minimize pollution, pick up after your pets, follow fertilizer instructions, maintain your vehicles, and avoid littering.

Other Resources

www.SaveArlingtonWater.com

Arlington’s Lawn Watering Guide

Arlington Storm Water Education and Outreach

Back to Drought Restrictions web site