City Issues Reminder of Annual Watering Restrictions

The City of Fredericksburg staff and officials would like to remind all residents that, according to the Drought Contingency Plan Ordinance, we are entering into our regular annual Stage 1 water conservation. Stage 1 is mandatory conservation from June 1 through September 30 of each year, and requires that customers are only allowed to water in the evening and early morning hours between 6:00 p.m. through 10:00 a.m. In Stage 1, watering is prohibited between the daytime hours of 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

In addition to the water restrictions of the Drought Contingency Plan, citizens are encouraged to follow some simple water conservation tips. For many households, the single-biggest water consumer is outdoors through the automated sprinkler system. Automated sprinkler systems can comprise as much as 60% or more of the total water used on any residential property. Some suggestions for making your watering more efficient:

Apply only enough water to moisten the root zone of your plants.

Water when the sun is down. This will allow more water to reach the roots rather than evaporating.

Use sprinklers that produce droplets of water, rather than spraying a mist. Sprinklers that spray water high into the air or produce a mist lose quite a bit of water through evaporation.

Make sure you are watering your lawn and landscape only, and not the driveway and street.

If possible, use drip irrigation or a soaker hose for flower beds, shrub beds, gardens and trees. This will allow the water to be applied directly to the root, and reduces water loss from evaporation.

Indoors, water consumption in the bathroom accounts for approximately 75% of water used in the home, but there are ways to conserve water throughout the home.

Regularly check for any leaks in the toilets, faucets, and water hose bibs.

Install a low-flow showerhead and higher-efficiency toilets.

Take shorter showers. Showers use less water than baths.

Wash only full loads in the dishwasher and the clothes washer.

When buying new appliances, consider purchasing energy-efficient and water-saving appliances.

For residents with questions about the Drought Contingency Plan Ordinance or watering restrictions, please call the Code Enforcement Department at 830-997-7521.