TEMPLE (July 2, 2009)--The outright ban on outdoor watering in western areas of Temple was lifted Thursday, but residents remain under water-use restrictions at least for another week.

City officials reduced the water alert level for western areas of the city from Stage 5 to Stage 2 Thursday.

The Stage 5 restrictions were imposed Friday for western areas of the city because of a problem at a pump station kept some of the city’s aboveground tanks from refilling and then were rescinded Sunday.

They were reinstated Monday after the level of water in a 200,000-gallon storage tank, fell from a maximum of 20-feet to only one foot.

On Wednesday, the city acquired a mobile pump, which crews installed overnight.

The pump still must be flushed, disinfected and tested.

Once the water is confirmed safe for use, it will be pumped to a water tank at Morgan’s Point Resort, which will provide additional water to the affected area.

Stage 2 Requirements
(Source: City of Temple)

Residents must:
Limit irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems to two days per week (as assigned by street address numbers), only between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. in the morning and 8:00 p.m. in the evening to 12:00 midnight on designated watering days.

Sundays and Thursdays for customers with a street address ending in an even number (0,2,4,6 or 8)
Saturdays and Wednesdays for water customers with a street address ending in an odd number (1,3,5,7 or 9)

*(Residents of Morgan’s Point Resort may water between 8 a.m. and noon or 8 p.m. and midnight on Wednesdays and Saturdays.)

Wash any motor vehicle only on same designated watering days as listed above. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rinses. Vehicle washing on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or service station may be done at any time. (Garbage Trucks and vehicles used to transport perishables are exempt).

Fill, refill, or add to pools only on designated watering days as listed above.

Operate fountains only to support aquatic life.

Use fire hydrants for fire fighting or related activities only or for construction purposes under special permit from the City of Temple.

Irrigate golf courses only on designated watering days unless the course utilizes a water source other than treated water provided by the City of Temple.

Not wash down hard-surfaced areas (driveways, tennis courts, etc,), flush gutters, use water for dust control, or wash down buildings, except for fire protection.

And, understand that restaurants are prohibited from serving water, except by request.