Drought Level One Underway in San Angelo

SAN ANGELO, TX -- As summer heats up, San Angelo’s water resources become more precious.

With reservoir levels dwindling due to rapid evaporation and greater usage that comes with the summertime, it’s important to modify our behavior to conserve water and stretch our limited supply as far as possible.

Here’s all you need to know about the state of San Angelo’s water supply and the recent change in watering guidelines.

Our primary water source is the Ivie Reservoir, managed by the Colorado River Municipal Water District. As of this writing, the reservoir is only about 14 percent full. Across West Texas, several cities rely upon Ivie for drinking water. Thus, San Angelo’s allotted quantity is for only a fraction, about 16 percent, of the total available water.

Our other reservoirs are also critically low. Lake Nasworthy is 77 percent full, but is supplied by Twin Buttes Reservoir, which is only 9 percent full. O.C. Fisher Reservoir is 7 percent full.

Although we can also pump and treat 8 million gallons per day of groundwater from the Hickory Aquifer, it is important to preserve this source, as it is our last option should all of our reservoirs be exhausted.

On Aug. 1, the city entered Drought Level 1, a response to the quantity of water remaining in our reservoirs. The City’s drought contingency plan encourages water conservation through watering restrictions and drought surcharges, both of which are temporary. Consumption rates for landscape, non-residential (commercial) and residential meters will increase between 5 percent and 20 percent, depending upon the customer’s usage. High-volume users bear a larger financial burden than low-volume users who are making an effort to conserve.

For example, landscape consumption rates will change from $6.07 to $6.68 per 1,000 gallons used up to 89,000 gallons, and from $13.58 to $14.94 per 1,000 gallons used above 89,000 gallons.

Non-residential customers will experience a 5-percent increase, changing rates from $6.01 to $6.31 per 1,000 gallons used. For the average household, this will amount to 72 cents per month, if its usage does not change.

Residential customers will see an increase only if they use more than 3,000 gallons. For consumption between 3,000-5,000 gallons per month, rates will change from $4.81 to $5.05 per 1,000 gallons used. For consumption between 6,000-15,000 gallons, the rate will change from $5.62 to $5.90 per 1,000 gallons used. For consumption between 16,000-39,000 gallons, the rate will change from $6.02 to $6.62 per 1,000 gallons used. For consumption of 40,000 gallons and more, rates will change from $11.02 to $13.22 per 1,000 gallons used.

All base rates for water, trash and sewer service will remain unchanged.

From checking for leaks to timing your showers, every drop counts during a drought. Here are a few simple steps that will help you save water and money.

First, cut back on your outdoor water use. San Angelo used an average of 16 million gallons per day in June. Yet the January average was only 10 million gallons per day. This consumption surge, which occurs each summer, is a result of increased landscape watering.  

Starting Aug. 1, watering is allowed only once per week and must not exceed 1 inch of water per week. To prevent waste, watering is prohibited from noon to 6 p.m., when evaporation rates are highest.

Although restrictive, these watering guidelines are in accordance with best management practices.

Water conservation goes beyond your yard. It includes the inside of your home. Leaks, for example, are silent killers. Easy-to-fix household leaks can waste enough water each year to fill a backyard swimming pool. If you find a leak, fix it.

Checking for toilet leaks is easy. Just add a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank and wait 10 minutes before flushing. If any dye appears in the toilet bowl, your toilet has a leak.

While looking for leaks, you can also install water-saving aerators on all of your faucets. These inexpensive fixtures do not affect flow but do cut back on water waste.

Here are some other ways to save water:

Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full, and you could save 1,000 gallons a month.

Shorten your shower by a minute or two, and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month.

Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to 120 gallons a month.

Conservation efforts do add up to water and money savings! Do your part to be water smart.

For more information and water conservation tips, visit cosatx.us/WaterConservation.

Paulina Levy is the water conservation coordinator for the City of San Angelo. Contact her at [email protected] or 325-657-4330.