Frisco Returns to Original “Once a Week” Outdoor Watering Plan

Effective immediately, Frisco residents and businesses may return to ‘once per week’ watering restrictions on their ‘trash day’ using automatic sprinkler systems. Watering is not permitted between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.  However, Frisco city leaders and staff stress the need for residents to keep sprinkler systems turned to ‘off’ and water only if necessary.

“Our primary water source, Lavon Lake, is nearly 12 feet low,” said Gary Hartwell, Director of Public Works.  “Our residents have responded amazingly to our call to conserve since we remain under Stage 3 restrictions.  Since the first of the year, Frisco residents have saved nearly 1.1 billion gallons of water compared to this same time last year (Jan. – Aug.).”

Council members credited residents with reducing their August consumption by more than 57%, based on the North Texas Municipal Water District’s (NTMWD) ten percent reduction goal.  Gallons per person per day (gpcd) is down to 172 (gpcd) in August compared to 280 (gpcd)  this time last year.

Last night’s Frisco City Council vote follows the Aug. 28 decision by the NTMWD board to return to ‘once a week’ watering restrictions.  The NTMWD cited the need to “ensure water quality.” In June, the district urged its member cities limit outdoor watering to once every two weeks due to critically low lake levels.  But decreased demand, along with high temperatures, resulted in stagnation and reduced chlorine levels in some of the district’s member cities’ water systems.  The City of Frisco has not experienced any water quality issues related to modified Stage 3 restrictions.

“While Frisco hasn’t experienced those problems, the potential exists,” said Hartwell.  “Rather than merely flushing and wasting the water, the district (NTMWD) has agreed it’s better for cities to use the water for irrigation,” said Hartwell.

Hartwell reiterated the city’s water message hasn’t changed.  “Turn off your automatic sprinkler systems,” said Hartwell.  He reminds residents about the tools Frisco has in place to help residents be water wise. The City of Frisco has its own, onsite weather station in addition to four, automated rain gauges that staff uses to calculate weekly watering recommendations.  Frisco has a new watering line, 972-292-5801, which residents can call to get watering advice.

Residents can also subscribe to these advisories by going to www.FriscoTexas.gov/Water.   Residents can also schedule free, irrigation check-ups.  The city has three licensed, irrigation specialists, available by appointment, only.  These licensed irrigators may detect broken or misaligned sprinkler heads, evaluate your system’s water use efficiency and make scheduling adjustments to your controller.