Following weeks of rain in Lubbock, the City has announced the rollback of stage 2 water restrictions to stage 1. The change will take effect on October 1, 2014. The city cites the rain, increase in surface water supplies and the seasonal drop in water usage during the fall for the change. Although the recent rains have filled Lake Alan Henry and helped reduce drought conditions, we are still facing a drought in West Texas.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released an updated drought monitor on Tuesday, September 3, which indicated that Lubbock is considered to be in a moderate drought. Much of the South Plains falls into this category, but Terry, Dickens, Hale and a few other counties are still listed to be in a severe drought. According to the monitor, roughly a quarter of Texas is not experiencing drought and fewer than 12 percent are facing an extreme or exceptional drought.

The numbers are reassuring, however. Just three months before the current report in June, 2014, all of the South Plains was experiencing severe drought conditions with extreme and exceptional drought encroaching from the north and east. Also, the city is continuing to decrease water consumption when compared to previous years.

Although Lubbock is rolling back water restrictions, a number will still be in effect while we remain in stage 1 including:

  • Landscape irrigation is restricted to two days per week and will be scheduled on the basis of the last digit of the property owner’s address.
    • Monday/Thursday – 3, 4, 9 & 0
    • Tuesday/Friday – 1, 5 & 6
    • Wednesday/Saturday – 2, 7 & 8
  • Irrigation should provide a maximum or 1.5 inches per zone per week.
  • Irrigation should occur without significant water runoff, which can be accomplished by correctly cycling the sprinkler system and allowing time for the water to soak into landscape between irrigation events.
  • All City of Lubbock operations will adhere to the water use restrictions
  • Hand watering, soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems are allowed on a daily regular basis regardless of the time of the year.

More From Lonestar 99-5 FM