Drought Contingency Plan

The Drought Contingency & Emergency Water Management Plan establishes temporary methods or techniques designed to be used only as long as a drought or emergency exists. The purpose of the plan is:

  • To conserve the available water supply in times of drought and emergency
  • To maintain supplies for domestic water use, sanitation, and fire protection
  • To protect and preserve public health, welfare, and safety
  • To minimize the adverse impacts of water supply shortages and emergency water supply conditions.
The City Manager or his designee may order the implementation of a drought response or water emergency stage when one or more of the plan's trigger conditions is met. When a stage is initiated, the public will be notified through local media, the city's website, postings at City Hall and several key public facilities within the city.

Stage 1



  • Continue maximum twice per week outdoor watering schedule and all other restrictions set forth in the city's permanent Water Conservation Plan.
  • Discourage hosing of paved areas such as sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, patios.
  • Discourage hosing of buildings for purposes other than fire protector or surface preparation prior to painting
  • Encourage pool owners to reduce the frequency of draining and refilling swimming pools
  • Encourage use of drought tolerant plants
  • Limit washing of vehicles to use of a hand-held bucket or hand-held hose equipped with a positive-pressure shutoff nozzle for quick rinses. (Commercial car washes can continue to operate.)
  • Hotels, restaurants, bars encouraged to serve drinking water to patrons on an "on demand" basis.
  • Hotel patrons encouraged to reuse linens and towels.

Stage 2



  • Continue actions under Stage 1.
  • Limit outdoor watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems to a maximum once per week schedule.
  • Encourage users to wait to establish new landscaping and turf.
  • Prohibit use of water for dust control, except as required to protect public health.
  • Discourage operation of ornamental fountains or ponds that use potable water.
  • Prohibit filling of swimming pools with automatic valves.

Stage 3



  • Continue actions under Stage 2
  • Prohibit all landscape watering
  • Prohibit establishment of new landscaping
  • Vehicle washing can only be done as necessary for health, sanitation or safety reasons including but not limited to the washing of garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and other perishables.
  • Prohibit operation of ornamental fountains or ponds that use potable water except where necessary to support aquatic life.
  • Prohibit hosing of buildings or other structures for purposes other than fire protecting or surface preparation prior to painting.
  • Prohibit the draining, filling or refilling of swimming pools. Existing pools may add water to maintain pool levels however they may not be refilled using automatic fill valves.
If you have questions about the Drought Contingency & Emergency Water Management Plan or would like more information, please contact the Public Works Department at 817-427-6440.