City of Copperas Cove now in mandatory Stage 2 water restrictions

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press

With the majority of Coryell County and Central Texas under extreme drought conditions, Copperas Cove Mayor Dan Yancey issued a proclamation on Tuesday that the city’s water customers are now under mandatory Stage 2 water restrictions.

Stage 2 triggering is part of the Brazos River Authority’s (BRA) Drought Contingency Plan. Each city has its own plan, and they differ from city to city.

For Lake Belton, the Stage 2 trigger level is 578.7 feet according to the plan.

On Tuesday, Aug. 1, the level dropped to 578.69 feet.

Water customers are asked to reduce water consumption by at least 15 percent.

Watering the lawn with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems is limited to once a week, in the following schedule, between midnight to 10 a.m. or from 8 p.m.  until midnight. 

Last Digit of Street Address Ends in -- Designated Watering Day

0 or 1 -- Monday

2 or 3 -- Tuesday

4 or 5 -- Wednesday

6 or 7 -- Thursday

8 or 9 -- Friday

Residents may use a hand-held hose, a faucet filled bucket or watering can of five gallons or less, or drip irrigation system, at any time. 

Washing any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of midnight and 10 a.m. and between 8 p.m. and midnight and may be done with a hand-held bucket. 

Washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station. 

The only exception for washing a vehicle is if the health, safety, and welfare of the public is contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such as garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.

Filling indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, or jacuzzi-type pools is prohibited except on designated watering days.

The use of water from hydrants is limited to firefighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare, except that use of waste from designated fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed under special permit from the City of Copperas Cove.

All restaurants are prohibited from serving water to patrons except upon request of the patron.

Kevin Keller, Director of Public Relations for the City of Copperas Cove, explained why Copperas Cove and other cities have different rules for water conservation. 

“Some are asking why Killeen can irrigate two times per week and Copperas Cove only one time per week. The simple answer is that City of Killeen has their own Plan which they follow and we follow ours, as adopted by City Council,” Keller wrote in an email. “One consideration is that BCWCID1 and City of Killeen’s Stage 2 calls for a 10 percent reduction; ours is for 15 percent reduction. 

“Additionally, Copperas Cove is essentially at the end of the line for those receiving resources from BCWCID1 so we need to do our part to ensure adequate resources are available.”

He likewise addressed questions about why commercial carwashes may continue to operate. 

“While we cannot necessarily confirm all carwashes utilize reclaimed or non-potable water, we do believe that most have that included in part of their system. It’s also important to consider the fact that these are commercial businesses, the owners of which livelihood are dependent on providing services and it would be detrimental to just shut them all down at this point in Stage 2,” Keller said. “Carwash operations are affected in the Stage 4 response during extreme water shortage conditions.”

During Stage 2, restaurants are prohibited from serving water unless patrons request it.

Likewise, nonessential water uses are prohibited to include washing sidewalks, driveways, washing buildings, using water for dust control, and flushing gutters. Filling, refilling, or adding water to a pool or Jacuzzi may be done only during those designated hours and days. 

Using water from fire hydrants is limited to firefighting related activities or when necessary to maintain public health, safety and welfare. 

Water may be made available from designated hydrants for construction purposes only under a special permit from the City.

Irrigation of golf courses is prohibited, except during designated times and days, unless golf course utilizes a separate water source.