Update: Eastland Emergency Water Restrictions Lifted

8/6/12 Update

The City of Eastland has lifted restrictions on water usage that were set last week due to a faulty valve in the main water supply line.

The repairs were made ahead of schedule, but although normal water use may resume immediately, the city still cautions residents to be good stewards and to be wise about how much and when they water

Outside watering should be avoided in the heat of the day and then only to the extent needed.   Over watering lawns and other plants is one of the biggest wastes of water.

Normal use also requires outside watering to be accomplished on an odd/even rotation depending on the last number of addresses. 

Addresses ending with an even number may water outside on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Addresses ending with an odd number may water outside on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The city reports that citizens were compliant with the restrictions during the emergency, and therefore no citations were given.

Original Story

The City of Eastland has issued an emergency water use restriction proclamation that will remain in effect until a faulty valve can be replaced at the Eastland County Water Supply District.   

Until further notice, all outside watering will be severely curtailed and everyone is urged to conserve water as much as possible. Beginning immediately, outside watering must be done by hand-held spraying only and for a period of one hour, on allotted days.

Addresses ending with an even number may water outside on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays for one hour only between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Addresses ending with an odd number may water outside on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for one hour only at the same time.

Repairs are anticipated to be complete by the middle of next week when restrictions will be lifted.

The problem is caused by the failure of a large, specialized valve in the Eastland County Water Supply District's water distribution system.  This was the same faulty valve that caused water delivery problems earlier this week that was initially thought to be caused by a major water leak.     The valve is on emergency order and will be delivered and installed as quickly as possible, according to Dale Bennington, the District's manager.

Meanwhile, the district has devised a "work around" system that can deliver water to Eastland, but not as efficiently as normal, thus the need for temporary use restrictions. The temporary system should keep water pressure up to a good level, so citizens should not be deceived into prematurely thinking that the system is back to normal because they have good water pressure.

Because the temporary set-up is manually operated, an unfortunate result may be an occasional overflow at the Park Hill water tower. That will be kept to an absolute minimum but will signal that the tank is full if it happens.

"If everyone will cooperate, we should have plenty of water for essential usage over this short period of time," said Ron Holliday, Eastland City Manager. "Since all Eastland users are supposed to be on the odd / even watering rotation, their outside plants should be able to tolerate a short watering disruption without damage."

"People can cheat, of course, but if they do they are risking causing a problem for everyone. If there is a callous disregard for the restrictions, there can be a stiff fine imposed along with water being disconnected to the offending home until the misuse is rectified and a ticket is issued," Holliday added. "This is a temporary situation and for the good of all, we are pleading for everyone to cooperate," he said.