City of Abilene, TX

25/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 25/07/2024 14:39

City to Implement Two Day a Week Year Round Watering Restrictions Starting August 7, 2024

The City of Abilene and Abilene Water Utilities will begin enacting year-round, two-day-per-week watering restrictions starting August 7, 2024.

This is the second stage of the City's year-round water use management program, triggered when the combined capacity between Lake Fort Phantom Hill and Hubbard Creek Reservoir is between 40% and 50%. Currently, the combined capacity of the two water sources is 51.8%.

This year, the City of Abilene and this region have received slightly above-average rainfall amounts. However, the rain events have not produced significant runoff needed to restore lake levels in the region. Lake Fort Phantom Hill and Hubbard Creek Lake have been on a general decline since last spilling in late summer 2021. Lake O.H. Ivie has not been at full capacity since about 1997. In an effort to be proactive in managing the region's water supply, the City is enacting the water restriction even though the necessary triggers have not yet been reached.

The U.S. National Weather Service's latest drought report indicates that much of the Big Country area, including Taylor County, is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, with some nearby areas, such as Tom Green County, suffering from extreme drought.

A July 12, 2024, report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's offices in San Angelo states drought conditions are expected to continue or worsen across most of the region.

There is no specific timeline for how long the new watering schedule will remain in effect. Several factors influence this schedule, including rainfall, water inflow into the lakes and reservoirs, and water demand and overall usage. These variables are beyond the City's and Water Utilities Department's direct control.

Should water levels begin to rise, we will evaluate returning to the normal watering schedule. Conversely, additional changes should be expected if water levels continue to fall, triggering the next level of conservation measures.

About the City's Water Conservation Stages and Restrictions:

Year-Round Water Conservation:

  • 3 times per week lawn irrigation:Combined capacity of Lake Fort Phantom Hill and Hubbard Creek above 50%

  • 2 times per week lawn irrigation: Lake Fort Phantom Hill and Hubbard Creek combined capacity between 40-50%

Stage 1 - Water Alert:

  • 1 time per week lawn irrigation:Combined plant pumpage of more than 45 million gallons per day for two consecutive days; or continually falling water storage facility levels that do not refill above 50% overnight; or combined Lake Fort Phantom Hill/Hubbard Creek storage between 30-40%. Other unforeseen events.

Stage 2 - Water Warning

  • 1 time per TWO weeks lawn irrigation:Combined treatment plant pumpage in excess of 40 million gallons per day for 2 days while in Stage 1 trigger parameters; continually falling water storage facility levels which do not refill above 40% percent overnight; or combined storage in Hubbard Creek Reservoir and Lake Fort Phantom Hill between 20-30%; major line breaks or pump system failure which causes unprecedented loss of service. Other unforeseen conditions.

Stage 3 Water Emergency

  • No outside irrigation:Combined treatment plant pumpage in excess of 36 million gallons per day for 3 days while in Stage 2 trigger parameters; depletion of combined storage in Hubbard Creek Reservoir and Lake Fort Phantom Hill to less than 20%; major line breaks or pump system failure, which causes unprecedented loss of capability to provide service; and other unforeseen conditions.

About the City of Abilene's Water Conservation Plan

In 2022, the Abilene City Council approved a revised conservation plan based on engineering studies evaluating drought resilience. This plan, replacing the 2003 version, incorporates multiple water sources, including O.H. Ivie Reservoir, indirect reuse into Fort Phantom Hill, and a contracted supply from Possum Kingdom Reservoir via the Brazos River Authority.

The new restrictions are based on water levels in Lake Fort Phantom Hill and Hubbard Creek Reservoir, unlike the previous plan, which used only Lake Fort Phantom Hill's water surface elevation as a guide.