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CARE & SHARE PROGRAM

Water Utilities
101 W. Abram St.
Arlington, Texas 76010
MS01-0200

Ph: 817-459-6600
Fax: 817-459-6626

Customer Services Ph: 817-275-5931
Customer Services Fax: 817-459-6807

     

 

 

 
The City of Arlington's conservation program is part of a regional effort to help plan for future water supply needs and meet the requirements of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Texas Water Development Board. With reservoir levels decreasing and water capacity below normal, the City of Arlington is asking residents and businesses to comply with city ordinances and use water wisely.


Free "Go With the Flow" Toilet Distribution Event
Saturday, September 25, 2010

The City of Arlington water conservation plan focuses on programs that help residents use water more efficiently today so that a reliable water supply will be available in the future.  One program that has been developed is the free "Go With the Flow" Toilet Distribution Event that will occur on Saturday, September 25, 2010.  A total of 500 toilets will be provided to pre-qualified Arlington residents that still have an older, high water use toilet and a good standing account with Arlington Water Utilities.  Replacing older toilets with high-efficiency models can potentially save a family of four up to $90 a year in reduced water and wastewater costs.

Free "Go With the Flow" Toilet Distribution Event Eligibility Guidelines:

1) Participant must be a City of Arlington resident with a good standing account with Arlington Water Utilities; and

2) Residence or bathroom addition must have been built before 1992; and

3) Requested toilet must replace an older large-capacity toilet that uses more than 1.6 gallons per flush.

To apply for the Free "Go With the Flow" Toilet Distribution Event please click here.

For questions, e-mail Dustan Compton at dustan.compton@arlingtontx.gov or call 817-459-6628.


Water-Efficient Landscape Education Program

Upcoming Classes:

Big 100 Rain Barrel Bash - Saturday, September 18, 2010, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.  The cost of the class is $40 and you leave with a rain barrel that you helped build.  For more information, click here.

Free Classes at Ecofest Arlington - Saturday, September 18, 2010, from 1 p.m. - 6p.m.  Topics include: growing vegetables, low carbon diet, quick and healthy meals with a demonstration, landscape design, native plants, composting demonstrations, and many more!  For more information, click here.

In the news:

Mayor Robert Cluck accepted the City Livability Award for water conservation efforts at the 78th Annual Meeting of the U.S. Conference Mayors.

Read the full press release...


A Water Message from Julia J. Hunt, P.E.
Director, Arlington Water Utilities

Outdoor Watering

Summer is officially here.  With warmer weather comes increased outdoor watering. It is important to remain focused on water conservation during this time.  Following good conservation practices will ensure an adequate water supply for today and in the future.  Watering the lawn after 6PM and before 10AM alone can help you to avoid losing 50% or more of your water to evaporation.  Remember Six to Ten, Watering Wins.  Every drop of water you save makes a difference to the future of the water supply in Texas. 

Here are a few tips to promote a healthy lawn and water conservation:

  • Six to Ten Watering Wins Remember to water after 6PM or before 10AM to avoid losing 50% or more of your water to evaporation.  Watering is prohibited from 10AM to 6PM year-round by City ordinance.
     

  • Mulch and Mow High Place 3-4 inches of mulch in your flower beds and mow your grass clippings into your lawn to retain moisture and grow healthier plants.  Set your heights at 3 or 4 inches for healthier lawns that requires less water.
     

  • Five Days, One Inch During the summer months, watering your lawn once every 5 days to a depth of 1 inch promotes a deep root system and avoids a dependency on frequent watering. 
     

  • Repair physical problems immediately The three most common physical problems in an irrigation system are broken components, such as risers, improperly designed or spaced heads, and/or dissimilar heads or nozzles.  Check rotation and direction of spray to avoid watering sidewalks, driveways, streets, etc.  Run a two minute test on all zones each month and make adjustments as necessary.
     

  • SmartScape Gardening Select native or drought tolerant plants that have less water demands.  For recommendations from local experts on landscape design, plant selection, and maintenance tips, visit www.txsmartscape.com.
     

  • Drip Irrigation Install modern landscape devices, such as drip irrigation, that applies water at the plant root level and eliminates water lost due to evaporation and runoff.

Demonstration Garden

During the summer months, outdoor watering accounts for 50% of the treated water used in Arlington.  Customers can reduce outdoor watering by making changes to their landscape.  To help, you will find demonstration gardens throughout the city designed to educate residents on the benefits of planting native and adaptive plants that thrive in our area.  The gardens showcase some of the many styles of landscapes that conserve water, provide beauty and save money because of reduced maintenance demands.  Complementing this education effort, Arlington Water Utilities is proud to announce that Arlington City Hall will soon undergo construction of a new landscape plan that will save water and help beautify the downtown area.

Partially funded by a grant from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation and in cooperation with the Parks and Recreation department, the landscape at City Hall will be changing over the next couple of months.  Gone will be the older, water-wasting turfgrass, groundcover, and shrubs as they will be replaced with native and adaptive plants that will provide seasonal beauty and use less water.  Converting the existing spray irrigation system to efficient drip irrigation, amending the soil with compost, covering the newly planted landscape beds with three inches of mulch, and installing educational signage are essential steps in the process.  The project is scheduled for completion in July and will be a great complement to the changes made on Center Street and the addition of the Levitt Pavilion.

Demonstration Gardens in Arlington
Molly Hollar Wildscape at Veteran's Park - 2600 Spanish Trail
Water Conservation Garden - 1100 SW Green Oaks Blvd.
Southwest Branch Library - 3311 SW Green Oaks Blvd.
Thora Hart Park - 3510 West Green Oaks Blvd.
Arlington City Hall - 101 West Abram Street (July 2010)

Click here to view interactive maps of demonstration gardens in Arlington.

Get Helpful Tips for Saving Water Year-Round

The City of Arlington appreciates your commitment to conserving water and we encourage you to save water and money by changing your water use habits today.

For more information about this message, send us an e-mail at water@arlingtontx.gov or call 817-459-6600.  Together, we can ensure a reliable water supply for future generations.


WaterSense: An EPA Partnership Program

Click the icon below for more information.


 

Watering Nixed Ten to Six Year-Round

Year-Round Watering Restrictions 10am - 6pm
Except for hand watering and the use of soaker hoses, it shall be unlawful for any person to irrigate, water, or cause or permit the irrigation or watering of any lawn or landscape located on premises owned, leased, or managed by that person between the hours of 10:00AM and 6:00PM.

Rain and Freeze Sensor Requirements
(1) Effective January 1, 2007 all irrigation systems installed within the City must be equipped with rain and freeze sensors in number and type established and published by the Director of Utilities.  This requirement applies to all commercial and residential properties. 

(2) Any irrigation system installed before January 1, 2007, may not be operated after March 4, 2007 without being equipped with rain and freeze sensors in number and type established and published by the Director of Utilities.   This retrofitting requirement does not apply to a single family residential or duplex property, or an individually metered townhome or condominium unit.

The above amendments were approved by City Council on November 28, 2006.  Violations of the ordinance can result in fines up to $500. 

Ordinance 06-109 (pdf)
Approved Rain and Freeze Sensor List (pdf)


New Irrigation Rules Effective January 1, 2009

As mandated by the Texas Legislature, the City of Arlington recently approved Ordinance 08-108 creating a landscape irrigation program that includes permitting, minimum design standards, and inspections for all new and expanded lawn irrigation systems.  The new ordinance requires irrigation permits for new installations and additions of sprinkler heads and/or zone valves to existing irrigation systems.  An irrigation permit is not required if you are replacing a sprinkler head with a new sprinkler head in the same location.

Because 50% of all treated water is used for irrigation and it is estimated that up to half of that water is lost to leaks, evaporation, and runoff, the new rules will help meet the projected water demands of the State of Texas in the future.  Efficient irrigation systems combined with the proper seasonal watering schedule can save a significant amount of water and money.

The landscape irrigation program will be managed through the One Start Center by the Building Inspections department.  To view the new irrigation rules scroll down to "Irrigation Ordinance" under "Current adopted codes and ordinances" here: Codes and Ordinances.


Remember:

Seasons Change and So Should Your Watering Schedule

No Outdoor Watering 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Year Round


What is the difference between conservation planning and drought management?

The City of Arlington and the City's primary water supplier, Tarrant Regional Water District, work closely together to develop and implement water conservation and drought management plans to make possible an adequate supply of water today and in the future.  Although a water conservation and drought management plan may appear to be the same, there are differences between the plans that benefit the community and region when put into practice.

Water Conservation Plan
   Implemented full-time; permanent
   Long-term response to efficient water use and supply

Drought Contingency Management Plan
   Implemented during times of crisis, such as droughts
   Short-term response to a water supply shortage

As annual and seasonal climate varies, it is important to have an on-going water conservation plan in place to better be prepared for drought conditions in the future.  The City of Arlington is dedicated to the practice and promotion of the efficient use of our valuable water supply and encourages all residents to be mindful of their water usage.


 

Drip-Irrigated Plants Save Water


Drip-irrigated plants suited for the climate require dramatically less water than grass while still preventing the creation of urban heat islands.  Photo courtesy of SNWA.

Studies have established that a square foot of grass needs 72 gal/year (272.5 L/yr) to survive, according to J.C. Davis, senior public information coordinator of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA).  However, a drip-irrigated plant suited to the climate needs only 17 gal/yr (64 L/yr), a savings of 55 gal/yr (208 L/yr) for each square foot of grass sod replaced. 
 

Water Conservation Highlights

 
 
Water Conservation Ordinance Summary
arrow Visit the Ordinance summary page
arrow View a list of approved rain and freeze sensors (pdf)

 

Water Conservation for Kids
arrow Dive Into Conservation Education
arrow Raising Your Water IQ


 
 

How you can help Save Arlington Water
arrow Water Conservation Tips
arrow Water Conservation Resources
arrow Xeriscape Gardening & Landscaping
arrow Choosing the Right Washing Machine
arrow Raise Your Water IQ (pdf) (check out Page 3)
arrow Time to Audit Your Landscape Irrigation System (pdf)
  

CONSERVATION NEWS

  
Reminder: No outdoor watering between
10 a.m. & 6 p.m.
year-round.

Report Watering Restriction Violations

 **New Interactive Demonstration Garden Maps**
Learn More...

Texas SmartScape®:
Provides design, care and search tools that are "Smart" for North Central Texas
Learn more...

WaterSense: Developed by the EPA to promote water-efficient devices and services
Learn more...

Save Water, Nothing Can Replace It
The Tarrant Regional Water District, water supplier for the City of Arlington, has developed a web site devoted to conservation education
Learn more...

Water Conservation Tips

Take Care of Texas

Approved Rain & Freeze Sensor List

Arlington Water Conservation Plan

DROUGHT NEWS
Current Drought Status :

Normal

Drought Contingency Plan not Initiated (read more)

Arlington Drought Contingency Plan

TRWD Drought Plan

     
  ADs & PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS  
 
Ten to Six Watering Nixed - Conservation Ad (pdf)