As the hot and dry summer weather continues, Boerne Utilities has created a new way to report suspected water violations from its water customers.
According to a press release from the city, residents now have a tool to notify the city of Boerne of potential watering violations as the municipality works to conserve water and highlight the current Stage 2 water restriction requirements.
Historical water data shows an increase in usage in the summertime stemming from customers using more water for the irrigation of their yards, the city’s information stated. During Stage 2 water restrictions, Boerne Utilities water customers may only water lawns with sprinklers one day per week.
“The city of Boerne monitors water usage and assesses warnings and fines to customers who aren’t following these requirements,” the city’s press release stated, adding with more than 8,000 customers, Code Enforcement needs the community’s help in identifying possible watering violations.
To this end, the city has created a webpage where residents can submit information and pictures of residences or businesses not complying with mandatory Stage 2 water conservation measures. The online form is available at www.ci.boerne.tx.us/FormCenter/Utilities-30/Report-a-Watering-Violation-127.
“We believe with continued education and compliance by our residents, we can remain in Stage 2 water conservation until we receive meaningful rainfall,” Mayor Tim Handren said. “But city council and I are in full support of issuing warnings and fines for repeat violators. We all have a responsibility to make sure water, a very precious resource, remains available for everyone.”
The form requires the address of the suspected watering violation and the contact information for the person submitting the report. There is also an option to attach a picture of the potential violation.
The information is then sent to the city’s Code Enforcement Office where an officer then will investigate the report to determine if a violation has occurred, review water meter data and issue applicable warnings or fines. Violators face fines up to $1,000 per violation.
Almost all of Kendall County remains in exceptional drought, the worst of four “dry” conditions used by the U.S. Drought Monitor. A small sliver on the southeast side is in extreme drought.
So far this month, no precipitation has been recorded at Boerne Stage Field, the National Weather Service’s official monitoring station for the city. This comes on the heels of a June that only received 1.49 inches of rain and a year that has measured only about 36 percent of the normal amount of precipitation.
On top of that, after setting nine all-time record high temperatures in June to produce one of the hottest months in Boerne’s history, July has shown no signs of a letup.
Through Sunday, the average high temperature this month has been 98.6 degrees with 95 being the “coolest” high temperature of the month. On Sunday, the high was 103 degrees following a 100-degree high on Saturday.
The forecast calls for more of the same.
The city reminds its residents that in Stage 2 water restrictions, both residential and commercial customers are permitted to use individual sprinklers or sprinkler systems for lawns, gardens or other landscaped areas on only one designated day per week and at designated times.
On the designated watering day, sprinkler irrigation is only allowed between the hours of midnight to 11 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to midnight.
“Another way to think of it is you can only water before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m. on your assigned day.” The city’s information stated.
Weekend watering is not allowed during Stage 2.
Designated watering days are assigned according to the last number of the street address as follows:
• 0 or 1 – Monday only.
• 2 or 3 – Tuesday only.
• 4 or 5 – Wednesday only.
• 6 or 7 – Thursday only.
• 8 or 9 – Friday only.
“The city of Boerne is grateful for the support of the community as we protect and conserve our water resources,” the press release stated.
Last month, the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District moved into Stage 3 drought conditions, stiffening restrictions for most of Kendall County outside of Boerne.
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