June 28, 2022; 4:00p.m.: STAGE 1 VOLUNTARY WATER RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT for the Harris County portion of Harris-Montgomery Counties MUD 386 (Creekside Park and Carlton Woods at Creekside)

The City of Houston and the North Harris County Regional Water Authority ‘NHCRWA’ have both implemented Stage 1 of their respective Drought Contingency Plans. As a customer of the NHCRWA, Harris-Montgomery Counties Municipal Utility District No. 386 (the “District”) is implementing Stage 1 of its Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) immediately for the Harris County portion of the District. Customers in the Harris County portion of the District are asked to respond to Voluntary Water Restrictions for all landscaped and other areas:

VOLUNTARY IRRIGATION IS LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING TIMES AND DAYS ONLY

Water Facts:

• Peak hourly use usually occurs between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m., with a secondary peak between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Please reduce water usage during this time.
• We can all reduce our peak water use, and utility bills, by watering only as needed; washing full loads of laundry; and using more efficient plumbing fixtures.
• Residential water use reaches its peak from late July through August due to increased outdoor water use, but peaks can occur throughout the summer. During peak water use season, home-owners typically use two to four times more than in winter.
• The average American home uses about 260 gallons of water per day; during peak season, homes can use about 1,000 gallons of water in a day. Some homes use as much as 3,000 gallons on a peak day, or the equivalent of leaving garden hose running for nearly 8 hours!
• When temperatures rise and rain is scarce, peak water use in single-family homes typically occurs due to lawn and garden watering or when topping off a swimming pool.
• Experts estimate that 50 percent of the water we use outdoors goes to waste from evaporation or runoff due to overwatering.
• With the exception of extreme heat waves, peak use typically occurs on weekends as many people use their free time to tend to lawns and landscapes, do laundry, and wash cars.

Simple Tips for Saving Water Outdoors:

• Step on it: Grass doesn’t always need water just because it’s hot out. Step on the lawn, and if the grass springs back, then it doesn’t need water. An inexpensive soil moisture sensor can also show the amount of moisture at the plant’s roots and discourage overwatering.
• Tune up your system: Inspect irrigation systems and check for leaks and broken or clogged sprinkler heads. Fix sprinkler heads that are broken or spraying on the street or driveway.
• Play zone defense: Assign areas of your landscape different zones depending on sun/shade exposure, soil and plant types, and type of sprinklers, then adjust your irrigation system or watering schedule based on those zones.
• Give your hose a break: Sweep driveways, sidewalks, and steps rather than hosing them off. And don’t forget to check for leaks at your spigot connection and tighten as necessary.
• Leave it long: Raise your lawn mower blade. Longer grass promotes deeper root growth, resulting in a more drought resistant lawn, reduced evaporation, and fewer weeds.

For more information on peak water use, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor.