Public Services departments in Richardson and other North Texas cities are experiencing a dramatic increase in water main breaks due to record demand for water as the summer drought continues. In Richardson alone, water main breaks so far during June-August have increased by 138 percent over the same time period last year. The increased usage is causing cities to run pumps more, which increases pressure and flow rates, putting more pressure on pipelines. Residents are urged to limit water use to reduce this stress on the water distribution system, particularly by limiting outdoor irrigation, which uses the most amount of water system-wide. Richardson has joined other communities in recommending reduced landscape watering by two minutes per zone.
Currently, Richardson is in its summer water conservation plan, which allows residents and businesses to water twice per week, on their designated watering day. No watering is allowed from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. since doing so would result in much of the water being lost to evaporation before it could soak into the ground.
Website: www.cor.net/waterconservation
