Katy's water consumption is still rising five days after the city activated voluntary conservation measures, and officials are warning that mandatory restrictions could follow.
The city posted a Stage 1 conservation reminder on Wednesday, Aug. 26, stating that water use continues to climb despite the Friday, Aug. 21, activation of Stage 1 of its Drought Contingency Plan. The city urged residents to help Katy stay out of Stage 2 restrictions.
Stage 1 is voluntary. Stage 2 is not.
If the city escalates to Stage 2, outdoor watering would be limited to three days per week on a mandatory schedule based on address number. Even-numbered addresses (ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8) could water only Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9) could water only Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Commercial properties, HOAs and greenspaces would be restricted to Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. All watering would be confined to midnight–8 a.m. and 8 p.m.–midnight.
The Stage 2 target is a 10 percent reduction in water use, double the 5 percent voluntary goal under Stage 1.
What residents can do now
The city is asking Katy water customers to take these steps immediately:
- Water landscaping only between midnight and 8 a.m. or between 8 p.m. and midnight.
- Hold off on draining and refilling swimming pools; top off only.
- Report leaks and dripping sprinkler heads to Public Works.
- Skip non-essential water use such as pressure washing and car washing.
Residents can track their daily usage through the city's FlexNet Water Meter System customer portal and set up alerts for high usage at the city's water conservation page.
Why it matters now
The city cited a continued rise in water pumpage and ongoing high heat as the reasons for activating Stage 1 on Friday, Aug. 21, according to a city Facebook post. KPRC 2 reported Wednesday that the conservation request came amid triple-digit temperatures in the area.
The city's Drought Contingency Plan has four stages, escalating from Stage 1's voluntary 5 percent cut to Stage 4, which would mandate a 20 percent reduction in an emergency.
Important note for MUD residents: The Stage 1 alert and any future Stage 2 restrictions apply only to City of Katy water service customers. Residents served by a Municipal Utility District should check with their MUD for separate conservation rules.
Residents with questions can contact Public Works at [email protected] or 281-391-4820. The city's full conservation plan is posted online.
