According to Director of Public Works David Kaufman, the city’s largest water producing well ceased working at around 4 p.m. on July 27, causing the city to enter into Stage II of its Drought Contingency Plan.

“One of our four wells, which happens to be our largest producing wells, had some production issues,” Kaufman said. “We had the well tested and began seeing a decline in production. We’re still getting water out of that well, but we’re still in high demand season, which is not the best time to take a well out of service to work on it.”

Kaufman explained that the reason for the move to Stage II was not due to an increase in water usage by the city’s customers, rather because of the faulty well.

“It’s not really related to the drought directly,” he said. “We went into Stage I because of demand. The response from the community was positive enough where our demand had leveled off.”

“It’s not that our demand has jumped, they’re using the same amount of water,” Kaufman said. “Our ability to produce the same amount has dropped by 30 percent.”

At press time last week, the city was working to remove the pump from the well to determine if that was the cause of the problem. The well, Kaufman said, lies up to 800 feet underground, while the pump sits approximately 500 feet underground.

“Our intent is to pull the pump out and drop a temporary pump to get the well back in service,” Kaufman said.

If all goes according to plan, the city would lift the mandatory water restrictions while the presumed faulty pump is analyzed and repaired. Kaufman said the well could run on a temporary pump “for a couple of months,” and likely at or near the capacity of the previous pump.

The Stage II plan requires city water customers to water only on specified days.

The restrictions allow water customers with street addresses ending in an even number to water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

For customers with an odd-numbered street address, allowable days and times are Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

Kaufman explained that while the water restrictions are mandatory, the city likely would not be looking to issue fines at this point.

“It (the ordinance) is enforceable, but that’s not to say we’re going to go out tomorrow to start writing tickets,” he said. “We’re reasonably going to allow the message to get out and use the enforcement as a regulating tool.”

Kaufman added that if the demand doesn’t drop, the city could issue citations.

“But if word gets out and people start reducing demand, there’s no need,” he said.

The city’s water wells are all analyzed each spring prior to the summer dry season, Kaufman said, to determine if they are in proper working order. During that time, the off-season for water demand, the city makes any necessary repairs to wells in preparation for the higher demand that could come during the summer.

Kaufman said that the faulty well showed no signs that it could possibly fail.

“This well has been very close to capacity every time it’s been tested,” he said.

The City of Tomball Public Works Department issued these tips on water conservation:

• Select two watering days a week and consistently water in shorter durations only during late evening or early morning hours to effectively sustain lawns and landscape.
• Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.

§ Divide your watering cycle into shorter periods and reduce water pressure to reduce runoff and allow for better absorption every time you water.

§ Maintain your plumbing and repair leaking faucets or toilets, no matter how small the leak appears to be, to drastically reduce consumption, not to mention lower your water bill.

§ Make sure you know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save several gallons of water and damage to your home if a pipe were to burst.

§ Apply mulch to garden beds to greatly reduce the evaporation rate from the soil and keep roots cooler in the heat of the summer.

§ Add organic material, such as compost to your lawn to improve water retention.

§ When water demand is critical, avoid washing cars, hosing off sidewalks, driveways, and patios and any excessive non-essential water use.

For more information about water restrictions and updates about the Drought Contingency Plan, visit www.tomballtx.com or call 281-290-1400.

Water/ no pic

8/3/2009

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