Due to the lack of rains in our area and our current drought condition, the City of Friendswood is instating Stage 1 - "Mild Water Shortage Conditions" of the City's Drought Contingency Plan. High water demand affects water pressure, and as a result, pressure can quickly become dangerously low. During these low-pressure events, water may not be available in sufficient quantities and pressure to adequately fight a fire should one occur.

In order to ensure the safety of our community, the City of Friendswood is initiating voluntary limitations on outdoor watering. Effective immediately, the following outdoor watering rules are in effect on a voluntary basis. Water customers shall be requested to conserve water and adhere to the prescribed restrictions on certain water uses as follows:

.Limit the irrigation of landscaped areas to even numbered days of the month for customers with a street address ending in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6 or 8), and odd numbered days of the month for water customers with a street address ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9), and to irrigate landscapes only between the hours of midnight and 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight on designated watering days.

.During these drought conditions, residents are also asked to temporarily suspend the:

(a)use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle; (b)use of water to wash down any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas; (c)use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection; flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street; (d)use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools or Jacuzzi-type pools; (e)use of water in a fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes except where necessary to support aquatic life; (f)failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s); and (g)use of water from hydrants for construction purposes or any other purposes other than fire fighting.

All operations of the City of Friendswood shall adhere to water use restrictions described above. Cooperation with this voluntary watering program will ensure the safety of our community and help to counteract our unseasonably dry conditions. For more information, please contact the City of Friendswood Public Works department at 281-996-3380.