Drought Response Stages

Stage 1 -- Mild Water Shortage

• Goal: voluntarily reduce water usage
• Practice water conservation
• Minimize or discontinue non-essential water use
• Limit landscape irrigation to between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. on designated days
• Sundays and Thursdays for addresses ending in an even number
• Saturdays and Wednesdays for addresses ending in an odd number

Stage 2 -- Moderate Water Shortage

• Goal: reduce water usage by 10 percent
• Limit landscape irrigation to between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. on designated days
• Sundays and Thursdays for addresses ending in an odd number
• Saturdays and Wednesdays for addresses ending in an even number
• Limit washing of motor vehicles (cars, motorcycles, boats, trailers, airplanes) to designated hours and days. When allowed, washing should be done with a bucket and hose with a shutoff nozzle that allows for quick rinsing. Vehicle washing at commercial car washes is permissible at any time.
• Filling, refilling or adding water to indoor/outdoor pools or Jacuzzis is designated hours and days.
• Operation of ornamental fountains or ponds prohibited unless necessary to support aquatic life.
• Use of water from fire hydrants is limited to firefighting related activities or when necessary to maintain public health, safety and welfare. Water may be made available from designated hydrants for construction purposes only under a special permit from City of Belton.
• Irrigation of golf courses is prohibited, except during designated times and days, unless golf course utilizes a separate water source.
• Restaurants are prohibited from serving water unless patrons request it.
• Other non-essential water uses that are prohibited:
• Washing down hard surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, parking lots or tennis courts;
• Washing buildings or other structures;
• Using water for dust control;
• Flushing gutters or allowing water to accumulate/run in the gutter or street;
• Failure to repair leaks within reasonable period after being given notice by the City.

Stage 3 -- Severe Water Shortage

• Goal: reduce water usage by 20 percent
• All Stage 2 Requirements in effect except:
• Landscape irrigation on designated watering days limited to automatic sprinkler systems, hand-held buckets and hoses, or drip irrigation. Hose-end sprinklers prohibited.
• Watering golf course tees is prohibited unless done with an alternative water source.
• Water use for construction purposes from designated fire hydrants is prohibited.

Stage 4 -- Critical Water Shortage

• Goal: reduce water usage by 30 percent
• All Stage 2 and Stage 3 Requirements remain in effect except:
• Landscape irrigation limited to designated days from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight.
• Use of water to wash motor vehicles prohibited unless it occurs at a commercial car wash between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. or 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
• Filling, refilling or adding water to indoor/outdoor pools or Jacuzzis is prohibited.
• No applications for new, additional, expanded, or up-sized water service connections, meters, service lines, pipeline extensions, mains, or water service facilities of any kind shall be allowed or approved.

Stage 5 -- Emergency Water Shortage

• Goal: reduce water usage by 40 percent
• All Stage 2, Stage 3, and Stage 4 Requirements remain in effect except:
• Irrigation of landscaped areas is prohibited.
• Washing any motor vehicles is prohibited.
• Water rationing measures and additional surcharges may be instituted.

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