The City of Arlington Water Utilities Department has joined the Tarrant Regional Water District in encouraging residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water.

City and county officials are observing heavy water usage, which has been triggered by months of dry weather. For two consecutive months, water demand has exceeded projections by 25 percent, according to the Tarrant Regional Water District. As a result, the City’s Drought Contingency Plan has prompted the issuance of an excessive demand alert designed to reduce water usage. While there is no shortage of water at this time, residents and businesses are asked to use water wisely and:

"Wise water use practices help our customers conserve water and control their utility bill costs year round," said Julie Hunt, Acting Director of Utilities. "Check your sprinkler controllers and reduce the frequency of watering."

According to the City’s Water Utilities Department, grasses in our area need one inch of water every five days during the growing season. When watering no more than once every five days, grasses will develop deeper, more drought tolerant roots.

Even though temperatures have dropped and the growing season is over, City officials are still observing irrigation systems operating as frequently as in August and September. City officials say lawns are being over-watered during the fall and winter seasons, adding unnecessary costs to water bills. Residents and businesses are also reminded that City ordinance requires sensors to be included on all irrigation systems installed on or after March 4, 2005. By March 4, 2007, all commercial and apartment irrigation systems installed before March 4, 2005 must be equipped with rain and freeze sensors.