Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) on Friday began Stage 1 of its drought contingency plan, which calls for voluntary conservation of water.
Stage 1 is automatically triggered every May 1.
BPUB officials report that after a dry winter and spring, Falcon and Amistad lake levels are lower than typical at this time. Current weather forecasts indicate another hot summer without much rain. With more people perhaps being home this summer, there could be more water usage in the months ahead, so it’s good to start thinking about ways to conserve, BPUB said in a press release.
According to the Texas Drought Monitor, Cameron County is experiencing extreme drought conditions.
“ From our reservoirs to your tap, our mission is to bring customers safe, clean drinking water,” said BPUB General Manager & CEO John S. Bruciak. “Stage 1 is a way for us to start thinking more about our water use and stay aware of how drought conditions affect our water supply.”
Here are some ways customers can start conserving water:
>>Irrigate landscaped areas only from midnight-7 a.m. or 7 p.m.-midnight twice-per-week.
>>Irrigate landscaped areas with a hand-held garden hose, soaker hose, hand-held bucket or water can, hose-end sprinkler, irrigation system, computer-controlled irrigation system or drip irrigation system to reduce waste.
>>Reduce or discontinue water use for non-essential purposes such as washing paved areas or other hard-surfaced areas except to alleviate public safety and/or health hazards.
For more information on water conservation or drought conservation stages, please visit www.brownsville-pub.com or call (956) 983-6121.
