The city of Wichita Falls has declared a Stage 3 Drought Emergency due to record low rainfall and high temperatures over the past two years that have significantly lowered the city's water levels. New water restrictions have been implemented, including limiting irrigation to once per week between midnight and 5am or 8pm and midnight depending on the system used, prohibiting irrigation on Saturdays and Sundays, restricting golf course and pool water use, and levying surcharges on water bills to encourage conservation. The city is asking local media to help keep the public informed and aware of the ongoing drought conditions and water restrictions through consistent messaging.

1. Stage 3 Drought Emergency
City of Wichita Falls
Preparations for Restrictions

2. The Current Problem
Loss of Rainfall
The annual average rainfall Normal 2011 2012
for the Wichita Falls area is
28.5 inches
20”
In 2011 we were 15.5
inches below normal.
10”
In 2012 we were 8.75
inches below normal.

3. The Current Problem
Record Temperatures
Wichita Falls typically Normal 2011 2012
averages 28 days over 100
degrees
In 2011 we had 100 days.
First 100 degree day April 6th,
last one was Sept 13th.
50 Days
The Weather Channel ranked Wichita
Falls the #1 Worst Summer anywhere
in the U.S. for 2011.
In 2012 we had 50 days.

4. The Current Problem
Lake Level Decline
Drought Comparisons
100.0
90.0
80.0
70.0
Percent
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
1 53 105 157 209
Week
This Drought Last Drought Watch Warning Emergency Disaster

5. What is Being Done
Drought Triggers to Date
Lakes at
Lakes at 82.3% Lakes at Lakes at
97.2% 59.4% 49.8%
2010 2011 2012 2013
Triggered Triggered Council
Stage 1 Stage 2 Established
Drought Drought Stage 3
Watch Warning Restrictions
(8/15/11) (7/2/12) (8/21/12)
Denotes a Water Resources Committee Meeting

6. Stage 3
Basics
Trigger:
Sometime in January 2013
GOAL:
An additional 20% reduction (Total overall reduction
of 35%) * Stage 2 Goal was 15% reduction
Development
● Water Resources Committee (WRC)
● Formation of Drought Task Force
● Comprised of Stakeholders from various Businesses
WRC recommendations to Council for Action

7. Year Round Restrictions
The 2 that have not been Altered by Stage 3 changes.
Restaurants can not
provide water unless
requested by customer.
New Irrigation must be
designed by Licensed
Professional.

8. Stage 3 (New Restrictions)
Irrigation
●No Change to the Days.
●Still Once a Week Watering, based on location.
●No Irrigation on Saturday or Sunday.
No
Sprinkler Irrigation
Between
5 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Automatic Sprinklers: Hose End Sprinklers:
Midnight to 5 a.m. 8p.m. to Midnight

9. Stage 3 (New Restrictions)
Irrigation
Bubbler Systems, Drip Irrigation and Soaker Hoses are still
allowed any Day at any Time,…
however:
Can not be Modified. Can not Run Down Curb.

10. Stage 3 (New Restrictions)
Irrigation
There are new Definitions within the Ordinance for:
Automatic Sprinkler System
Drip Irrigation
Hose-End Sprinkler
Soaker Hose
Spray Irrigation
This is
Advertised But, it’s Not.
as a “Soaker (By Our
Hose” Definition)

11. Stage 3 (New Restrictions)
Irrigation
New Landscape
Waivers will not be
Issued.
Homeowners, Developers, Landscapers
that are putting in new Seed/Sod will
have to abide by the once a week
watering schedule.

12. Stage 3 (New Restrictions)
Carwashes
No Fund Raising Carwashes Close One Day a Week
(Carryover from Stage 2) (On the Day they are Allowed Irrigate)
Must use Low Flow Nozzles Wash Bays on Sunday Only
(3.0 gpm Max) (Use shovel and broom the other days)

13. Stage 3 (New Restrictions)
Car Dealers
Can only wash their
Inventory Once a Week
(On their day to Irrigate)

14. Stage 3 (New Restrictions)
Restaurants / Bars / Clubs / Cafeterias
Can not Use Water
to Thaw Food
(Must use another Approved
Method, such as Refrigeration
or Cooking Process)
Kitchens and Food Preparation
Areas can not be Cleaned with
Spray Hoses (Must use Brooms
and Mops Only)

15. Stage 3 (New Restrictions)
Swimming Pools
Residential Pools can not Operate Water Features
(Fountains, Water Falls, Descents, Arcs, and Slides)

16. Stage 3 (New Restrictions)
Swimming Pools
If Repairing a Pool, the
Water can only be
Drained to the Level of
Repair (No Further)
At the End of the Season, the
Pool can not be Drained
(Meant to maintain Structural Integrity of the
Pool in the event it can not be filled next
season)

17. Stage 3 (New Restrictions)
Public & Private Golf Course
Greens:
May be Cooled with water
at Any Time or Any Day.
(but no Run Times longer
than 5 minutes)
May be Watered Any Day of the Week.
(but not between the hours of 11 a.m.
and 6 p.m.)

18. Stage 3 (New Restrictions)
Public & Private Golf Course
Tee-Boxes:
Can only Irrigate
Once a Week.
(As specified in the Water
Rationing Zone Map or
Approved by the Director of
Public Works)
Are Exempt from the Spray Irrigation Times.
(However, still restricted between the hours of
11 a.m. and 6 p.m.)

19. Stage 3 (New Restrictions)
Public & Private Golf Course
Fairways:
Spray Irrigation
is Restricted
(They may be
hand watered.)

20. Stage 3 (New Restrictions)
Miscellaneous
No Washing of Driveways , Parking Lots, etc.
(Carryover from Stage 2)
Best Way is to
Sweep

21. Stage 3 (New Restrictions)
Wholesale Customers
Have the same Reduction Goal (35%
Total) as the Citizens of Wichita Falls
However, their
Restrictions may
be Different

22. Stage 3 (New Restrictions)
Surcharges
Residential Meters:
$1.00 per CCF between 10 CCF & 20 CCF
$2.00 per CCF between 20 CCF & 40 CCF
$4.00 per CCF over 40 CCF
Irrigation Meters:
$1.00 per CCF between 0 CCF & 10 CCF
$2.00 per CCF between 10 CCF & 20 CCF
$4.00 per CCF between 20 CCF & 40 CCF
$8.00 per CCF over 40 CCF

23. What the City Needs from the Media
Help
● A concerted effort to keep Water Conservation in
front of the public.
● A unified, consistent message from both the City
and the Local Media.
● A clear understanding of the Restrictions.
● Publicizing of additional Water Conservation
measures that will be developed & delivered by the
City.