DUMAS, TEXAS -- Due to high water use and a decline in production from water supply, the City of Dumas is implementing stage two of its water plan- a mandatory schedule for all citizens.
The mandatory schedule is as follows:
Monday- no watering
Tuesday- no watering
Wednesday- addresses ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
Thursday- addresses ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8
Friday- no watering
Saturday- addresses ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
Sunday- addresses ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8
According to Dumas City Manager DiPiazza, a temporary moratorium on outside water was called Sunday due to a crucially low supply, and that lack of water has made a mandatory watering schedule necessary.
"In two years, we've lost probably an excess of 20 percent production capacity due to decline in our ability to pump. We had, in the past, accumulated some water rights that were available for drilling. That's what enabled us to move as quickly as possible as we've been able to do."
Pumps are currently being installed in three new water wells, and the completion of those along with the conservation of water is hoped to catch the city up on its supply.
"People need to be able to use it," City Manager Vince DiPiazza said. "They need to be able to cook. They need to be able to shower. They need to be able to do the basic functions in a household and we also need it for public safety. We need to make sure we've got water available to fight a fire, for instance. So, if we get cooperation and people follow the schedule we've put up, hopefully that will get us through all that and we'll be able to manage this."
Citizens not abiding by the new schedule can be cited and fined, but DiPiazza says the City does not want to have to do that.
"We won't do that for at least a little while until we make sure that the word has gotten out on a pretty wide basis," he added.
North Plains Groundwater Conservation District is offering water kits to the community that include shower heads, water gauges and drip gauges. NPGCD is located in Booker, Dalhart, Dumas, Perryton, Spearman, Stinnett and Stratford.
