Marble Falls orders Stage 2 watering

MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) - The city of Marble Falls announced Wednesday it is implementing Stage 2 watering restrictions for its customers due to moderate water shortage conditions.

The restrictions affect times and days of lawn watering, among other things. Effective immediately, customers are allowed to water lawns just two days per week, only between the hours of 12 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., according to the last digit of a home or business street address.

• Residential customers -- odd number addresses:  Water on Wednesdays and Saturdays
• Residential customers -- even number addresses:  Water on Thursdays and Sundays
• Commercial customers: Water on Tuesdays and Fridays

Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is prohibited except on individual outdoor water use days as listed. Such water use can only be done from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Washing must be done with a hand-held bucket or hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle.

Commercial car washing businesses do not fall under the restricted hours, but may operate as normal.

Washing of vehicles used for health, safety and welfare of the public, such as garbage trucks and vehicles for food transport, are not required to adhere to the restrictions.

Filling up of swimming pools, wading pools, spas or hot tubs can only be done on designated days during the designated hours.

Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.

Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare, except that use of water from designated fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed under special permit from the city.

Use of water for the irrigation of golf course greens, tees, and fairways is prohibited except on designated outdoor water use days between the hours 12 a.m. and 10 a.m., and between 7 p.m. and 12 a.m. However, if the golf course utilizes a water source other than that provided by the city, the facility shall not be subject to these regulations.

All restaurants are prohibited from serving water to patrons except upon request of the patron.

The following uses of water are defined as nonessential and are prohibited:

• Wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas.
• Use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection.
• Use of water for dust control.
• Flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street.
• Failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s).