exTRA by the Trinity River Authority of Texas

City Manager Bobby Atteberry said the goal for these restrictions was to keep use under 11 million gallons per day. Early results saw use drop to about 8.9 million gallons by the weekend. There have been spikes since then, but these have been connected to water main breaks, including a break last week near downtown Denison.

Mayor Tammy Huff said it’s due to their need for another well. The city has five wells but have only been operating with two the last couple of years because the other three have major damages, leaving these two to work constantly.

As water levels drop from the drought in the Highland Lakes, development and the need for water infrastructure puts extra demand on existing infrastructure.

Reservoirs used by the Tarrant Regional Water District were reporting more than 82% full Wednesday, and the North Texas Municipal Water District at more than 85%. Even if the rain-free streak in North Texas continues, Stage 1 restrictions aren’t projected to be needed until mid to late September, according to Rachel Ickert, the water resource director for TRWD.

City leaders in Combes continue to warn residents against consuming their tap water – even if they boil it. On Friday, the city announced the tap water had elevated levels of nitrite, which can pose health risks.

Killeen is now asking community members to be proactive as the city enters stage one of it’s water conservation plan.  Taking cues from the Brazos River Authority, current drought conditions, and high temperatures were enough for the city to make an alert.

Gilmer City Manager Greg Hutson has initiated the City of Gilmer’s drought contingency plan. And right now, they are at stage one which asks residents to voluntarily conserve water.

The city of Katy has raised its drought contingency plan to Stage Two due to worsening drought conditions. Stage Two of the city's drought plan is similar to Stage One, but now residents are asked to water their lawns only three times a week.

The city of Gunter alerted its residents on Wednesday night that by the next morning, the city would likely run out of water. The excessive heat this summer, two malfunctioning wells and the residents who have not adhered to the water conservation have created what Chaffin describes as a “perfect storm.”

Over the last few years, the city of Vernon has maintained their wells running by working on their equipment and adding new wells into their system. Vernon has spent a good amount of money to add five wells around the area in the last couple of years. These wells are to keep the system up to date and help improve more of their production.

 The Stage 2 Drought Warning is part of the Brazos River Authority's Drought Contingency Plan (DCP). This DCP, which is required by the state, is intended to help preserve and extend water supplies during drought conditions and includes recommended actions to achieve the water use reduction goal requested by the BRA.

At an Aug. 4 meeting, Hutto City Council will discuss funding options for a series of projects with a combined projected cost of almost $365 million. 

Wichita Falls City Councilors on Tuesday passed a resolution finding Leetech Solutions, LLC in material breach ofcontract for a rehabilitation on three city lift stations. The lift stations help pump sewage to the wastewater treatment facility.

The City of Primera continues to face low chlorine residuals in the water supply, a release from city mayor Pat Patterson stated.

Across North Texas, drought conditions are continuing to expand and lakes in our area are ranging from about 70-95% full. Lake Lavon is 84% full.

Pct 1 Commissioner Terry Cook issued the resolution for LCRA to move up its review of its water management plan to now instead of in 2025.

The Texas Water Development Board gave preliminary approval Wednesday for a loan to develop a wellfield to add to the water supply which is suffering from low lake levels.

All of Texoma is dealing with at least a severe drought, some parts even facing an extreme drought. Residents in Russwood, a small neighborhood in Pottsboro, said they’ve started hearing something odd for how dry it is- running water.

Lake storage is currently at 1.16 million acre feet, below the first trigger point for Stage 1, but still well above the 900,000 acre feet amount which triggers a Stage 2 conservation request.