Cisco's Water Shortage May Hinder Summer Fun
By: Julie Elrod, MicroplexNews.com
Updated: May 1, 2012
Cisco City Manager Jim Baker suggested two reasons during the previous meetings that the pool should not be opened this summer. First, the pool does not meet the new ADA requirements for municipal pools, as there must be a ramp or a lift in order to make the pool handicap accessible. Baker said that this would cost in excess of $20,000. The city plans to ask for a 90 day extension, which would get them through this summer's swimming season.
The main reason for Baker's balking at filling the pool this summer, however, is because of the lack of water. Notices were sent out this month with the water bills to explain that the city is in Stage 2 of their Drought Contingency Plan. The city entered Stage 2 last September. Watering restrictions, according to the notice, include prohibiting street washing, water hydrant flushing, filling pools, and watering golf courses. It also lists a watering schedule for residents allowing two 2-hour time periods, one day a week to water.
Although neighboring towns like Eastland and Ranger received enough rain to bring their water supply level at Lake Leon within 3 ft of full, Cisco was not as fortunate. Last year at this time, Lake Cisco was just over 15 low or 51.46% full. Today the water level shows that it has dropped to 19.03 low or 43.09% full with no signs of improvement. During the summer the lake typically drops 2 or 3 feet due to evaporation according to Baker. He stated that his main interest is to have drinking water for Cisco residents rather than using the water to fill the pool. The city pool has a 300,000 gallon capacity. He estimated that it takes around 30,000 gallons a day in order to run the filter system and to maintain the proper water level in the pool.
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