It may be raining this week, but the Tarrant Regional Water District is planning ahead for a dry summer.
It has notified its client cities and providers that it will begin Stage One watering restrictions on June 3.
That means customers who receive their water from the cities of Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield and the Trinity River Authority will be asked to water their lawns a maximum of twice a week.
The Tarrant water district’s David Marshall says moving to twice-weekly watering now should prevent more severe restrictions during the hottest part of the summer.
"The idea for that is to begin to save early so it prolongs our ability to serve at that twice-a-week level. Because if once a week (water restrictions kick in) yards and landscapes are going to be impacted."
Stage One restrictions are implemented when reservoir levels drop to 75 percent of capacity. If reservoir capacity drops to 60 percent Stage Two restrictions will limit landscape watering to once a week.
Watering by hand or soaker hoses is still allowed at any time. The TRWD's conservation planalso provides guidelines for swimming pools, businesses and parks.