Water Use | Water Stages

STAGE 1 - THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND PARK IS CURRENTLY IN STAGE 1

Prohibits:

• Over-seeding with cool season grasses
• Hydro-mulching, except in new construction or erosion control
• Excess watering resulting in water run-off

Triggers:

• The Town’s water use is approaching the limit of its contracted supply
• The Town’s demand exceeds 90% of its delivery capacity for seven consecutive days
• The Town’s water demand for any portion of the delivery system approaches capacity
• The water supply source or delivery system becomes contaminated
• The water supply system is unable to deliver water due to the failure or damage of major water system components

Actions: (2% reduction)

• Reduction in municipal operations water usage
• Voluntary water reductions by public and commercial users
• Increase public education on ways to reduce water usage
• Intensify efforts on leak detection and repair
• Initiate voluntary landscape irrigation schedules

STAGE 2 - The Town will initiate Stage 2 when one of more of the following occur:

Triggers: (in addition to Stage 1 triggers)

• Demand exceeds 95% of capacity for three straight days
• Demand in any portion of water system equals capacity
• Level in Grapevine Lake reaches 525.0 feet (10 feet low)

Actions: (5% reduction)

• Publication of mandatory water reduction requirements
• Notify State of implementation of actions
• Initiate Engineering Study on alternatives should conditions worsen
• Municipal reduction in water used for street cleaning, equipment washing, aesthetic water use, landscape irrigation, and routine fire hydrant flushing
• Washing of all vehicles except with a bucket, pail or other normal size receptacle. Commercial car washes shall use minimum practical water settings
• No wasting of water through defective plumbing. Prohibit use of fire hydrants except for fire fighting or as authorized
• Prohibit use of water for aesthetic purposes unless using reused or recirculated water
• Prohibit use of water to wash down sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts or any other hard surfaced area except for public health purposes

STAGE 3 - The Town will initiate Stage 3 when one of more of the following occur:

Triggers: (In addition to Stage 2 Triggers)

• Demand exceeds 98% of capacity for three straight days
• Level in Grapevine Lake reaches 520.0 feet (15 feet low)
• District’s usage from Grapevine Lake approaches permit limit

Actions: (10% reduction)

• Publication of mandatory water reduction requirements
• Notify State of Implementation of actions
• Prohibit all aesthetic water usage
• Prohibit all vehicle washing
• Limit landscape and lawn watering to twice a week
• Prohibit make-up water for all pools and hot tubs
• Prohibit establishment of new landscaping
• Implement pro rata curtailment of commercial water usage
• Initiate rate surcharge of 30% for all water usage over 12,000 gallons per month per customer

STAGE 4 - The Town will initiate Stage 4 when one of more of the following occur:

Triggers: (In addition to Stage 3 Triggers)

• Demand exceeds delivery amount
• Demand in any portion of water system seriously exceeds delivery capacity
• Level of Grapevine Lake reaches 515.0 feet (20 feet low)
• District demand exceeds delivery

Actions: (25% reduction)

• Publication of mandatory water reduction requirements
• Notify State of Implementation of actions
• Implement viable alternative water supply strategies
• Prohibit all outdoor water usage
• Implement pro rata water allocations to commercial customers
• Establish maximum residential usage with a revised rate schedule and a 60% surcharge for all usage over 12,000 gallons per month per customer