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A Water Conservation Message from Julia J.
Hunt, P.E.
Director, Arlington Water Utilities
July is Smart Irrigation Month
Arlington Water Utilities (AWU) supports July as Smart Irrigation
Month in conjunction with the Irrigation Association and the
Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program. Smart
Irrigation Month is an initiative developed by the Irrigation
Association designed to educate the public about the benefits of
water-saving practices, products and services.
To guide your water usage, AWU recommends following these important
tips:
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Limit outdoor watering to before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
year-round. Up to 30 percent of water released through
irrigation or sprinkler systems is wasted during the day due to
evaporation from the sun and wind.
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Water just 1 inch every five days in the heat of the summer.
Watering frequently promotes shallow root systems, whereas, infrequent
watering supports deep root systems and healthier grass.
Strategically placed tuna cans could be used to measure the amount of
water applied to the landscape during an irrigation event. If
the measured amount of water within the can exceeds one inch, then
consider reducing the current program time. Remember to adjust
your watering schedule with the seasons. Plants don't need as
much water in the winter as they do in the summer.
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Avoid over-watering by continually monitoring your sprinkler
schedule and conducting weekly inspection audits to make sure
sprinkler heads are adjusted correctly.
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Install a rain and freeze sensor to save water during
precipitation events and help prevent dangerous road conditions.
Upgrade your controller to accommodate a rain and freeze sensor or put
your sprinkler system on manual mode and water only as needed.
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Use the cycle and soak method before water begins to run off.
Divide your currently scheduled program time into two irrigation
cycles with one hour in between. Example: There is a
Bermuda grass lawn area being irrigated once a week for 15 minutes.
Instead of one irrigation event, program the area to run for 8
minutes, wait one hour, and then run for another 7 minutes. This
will give the water time to soak in and not runoff.
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.
Visit
www.SaveArlingtonWater.com for more water conservation tips.
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.
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.
WaterSense
Developed by the EPA to promote water-efficient devices and
services. Click the icon below for more information.
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.
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