Marble Falls using Stage 3 drought plan

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) --  Forget stage one and two, the city of Marble Falls jumped straight to stage three water restrictions Tuesday. 

All water customers must cease all nonessential water use  immediately. 

Customers are only allowed to use hand-held hoses and buckets to water on certain days and at certain times, depending on their street address.   

The drastic measure comes after the water plant operator noticed the cities only clear well level dropped about 2.4 million gallons in one day.  The city can only generate 3 million gallons of water per day.  

The city believes the sudden drop was caused by the large number of water that was being used for new construction projects currently underway for the Marble Falls Independent School District.  Two new elementary schools and a middle school are being built. 

The city said a large amount of water was also being used to maintain the high school football field.   

"They're getting ready to pour concrete and that just takes a lot of water.  Just just the fact that they're being more cognisant of when they're watering their fields will help a great deal," said Judy Miller, the Marble Falls City Manager.  

The city said the district is cooperating and abiding by the water restrictions. 

Mayor Raymond Whitman sent out an update on the water situation Wednesday afternoon stating the cut backs have already made a difference.  The city may be able to lower the shortage condition to Stage 1 next week.  

They continue keeping an eye on customers usage and will assess the situation on a day by day basis. 

For specific details on when customers can water click here:  http://ci.marble-falls.tx.us/Public%20Notices/wcn_stage3.pdf.