Since meteorologists are forecasting moderate to extreme drought this summer, Hartwell says there is renewed urgency for Frisco residents to use water wisely. During the April 4 City Council meeting, Hartwell reminded residents to subscribe to weekly watering advisories which use data from Frisco’s electronic weather station and comes to residents, via e-mail. Residents can sign up for the free, e-news service by going to www.friscotexas.gov/water.  There, residents can also find information about the city’s free, irrigation check-up program.

 

Due to last year’s weather patterns, the City of Frisco reports watering wasn’t necessary 25 weeks out of the year. The city did recommend residents water once-a-week for another 24 weeks. “We recommended folks water twice a week during just three weeks last year,” said Hartwell. “We’ll be fine if we all use water wisely.”

 

In 2009, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department discovered zebra mussels in Sister Grove Creek, a tributary of the East Fork of the Trinity River and used by NTMWD to transfer water from Lake Texoma. While zebra mussels do not affect water quality, they are destructive to pipelines, boats and other hard surfaces and often result in costly repairs.

 

NTMWD was instructed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop pumping water supplies from Lake Texoma in an effort to reduce the risk of infesting other area lakes; however, the end result is a loss of 22.5% of the district’s water supply.

 

“We can’t afford to waste water,” said Hartwell. “If everyone does their part, we can help NTMWD meet its goal of reducing water use by two percent.”

 

For additional information, contact Melody Emadiazar, Water Education Coordinator, memadiazar@friscotexas.gov 972-292-5814.