Posted: Sat, 22 May 2010 08:30 AM - 9,833 Readers

By: Joseph de Leon

Officials in the region hope the year’s wet start has caused residents to water outdoors less often; however, leaders will continue to encourage water conservation. Weather patterns are difficult to predict and a drought can happen anytime.

Water recedes from a strip of land normally submerged when Lake Travis was full in this August 2009 photo. The lake level was about 632 feet. The lake measured nearly 50 feet deeper in early May 2010 after a series of wetter than normal months. Photo by Joseph M. de Leon

Lower Colorado River Authority

On April 30, Lower Colorado River Authority officials launched its “Don’t be fooled by a full Lake Travis” campaign and announced a streamlined watering schedule for its users in Austin and Cedar Park.

Water schedule

Effective immediately, residential water customers will follow a twice-a-week watering schedule.

Customers can water as needed only before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m.

Odd-numbered addresses water on Wednesdays and Saturdays; even-numbered addresses water on Thursdays and Sundays

The watering schedule is mandatory in Austin and voluntary in Cedar Park.

Lake level campaign

The effort lists and addresses top ways customers waste water as a way to teach people how much water and money they can save by fixing leaky fixtures, following the watering schedule and repairing broken sprinkler heads.

• Fixing a leaky faucet can save 3,000 gallons a year
• Repairing a broken sprinkler head can save hundreds of gallons per watering
• A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day, and is the top water waster inside the home
• Following the water schedule can reduce water use by about 25 percent
• Call 3-1-1 to report water schedule violations
  

Cedar Park

The city is in its third year of participating in Water IQ, the state’s water conservation campaign. The effort aims to reduce water consumption, promote the watering schedule, educate consumers about the natural water source and help residents understand water planning in Cedar Park.

Toilet replacement

In April, city officials launched a toilet replacement program in partnership with the Lower Colorado River Authority that expires May 30. Visit www.cedarparktx.us to apply.

• Water accounts must be in good standing and houses built before 1992
• Qualifying households will be eligible for two low-flow toilets that can save up to 5,000 gallons per year per toilet compared to traditional toilets
• Residents are responsible for pickup and installation of toilets
  

Media campaign

In addition to print, online and movie theater ads included in past campaigns, the Water IQ promotion for 2010 includes new features. Visit www.wateriqknowyourwater.org/cedarpark.

The Water IQ website includes details about water, such as information on the region’s water source, how the Highland Lakes work and why lake levels matter.

Updated questions are online so website visitors can take a quiz to find out their Water IQ.

Water customers will continue to receive water conservation tips in utility bills.

Children’s promotion

In an effort to reach every member of the family and encourage conservation for future water customers, city officials will target elementary students.

Water conservation will be featured in the Cedar Park Public Library’s Summer Reading Program.

Cedar Park’s Camp Timberwolf will educate elementary-age children throughout Leander Independent School District during Water Week, in late May.

For details, call 401-5000 or visit www.cedarparktx.us.

Leander

City Engineer Wayne Watts said a water shortage in 2009 contributed to about a 25 percent reduction in overall water use. During about a 70-day stretch in the summer, daily temperatures stayed above 100 degrees, which killed most lawns causing residents to reduce outdoor watering.

Other water conserving factors include:

Water usage in Leander is relatively low compared to neighboring cities because about 76 percent of Leander’s estimated 31,000 residences have been built since 2000, allowing most to have modern, water-efficient fixtures and toilets,

In 2007, Leander council mandated all new construction must use 1.3-gallon flush toilets, cannot plant Saint Augustine grass and must have at least 6 inches of top soil, which helps reduce water loss.

Water bills inform customers of water restrictions and encourage users to follow voluntary water restrictions, which are in effect April through September; customers should water on a five-day cycle before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m.

For details, call 528-2700 or visit www.leandertx.org.

Williamson County Extension

The Texas A&M University System affiliate encourages the Earth-Kind Environmental Stewardship Program, which uses techniques developed at the university to design gardens and landscapes that preserve and protect the environment.

Techniques recommended for designing a garden include:

• Start with a plan: sketch out areas for different types of landscaping, set a budget and consider maintenance.
• Use native or adapted plants that require less water, need fewer changes in soil condition, need little or no fertilizer and are more tolerant of the extreme Texas environment.
• Consider Zoysia grass, buffalo grass or Centipede grass for its low water requirements.
• Use a compost and expanded shale mixture covered with mulch to reduce water use.
  

Call 943-3300 or visit http://williamson-tx.tamu.edu.

Hill Country Water Gardens, 1407 N. Bell Blvd., Cedar Park, offers expanded shale. Call 260-5050 or visit www.hillcountrywatergardens.com.

*  Story Contributed by: Joseph de Leon