Stage 3 Drought Contingency Plan
On July 26, 2022, the Board of Directors of Valley Municipal Utility District No. 2 enacted Stage III of the District’s Drought Contingency Plan. South Texas is experiencing its worst drought since the late 1990's. The Rio Grande Valley’s main source of water is the Rio Grande River. Water is stored in two reservoirs known as Falcon Lake and Lake Amistad. The combined levels of those two lakes is at 22.0% of capacity with Falcon Lake holding just 10.1% of its capacity.
-As per the District’s Service Policies, you are hereby being notified of this change. This change will take effect during the month of August. The temporary rate increase will show up on the bill you receive in September. The District’s Drought Contingency Plan requires that the following responses be enacted:
Temporary Rate Increase
District personnel will observe and document violations of the water restriction guidelines using photographs, written documents and witness statements. After documentation of violations, the following will occur:
First Violation – Customer is given a warning and notified of actions to be taken if violations continue. Second Violation – Customer is notified of violation and a surcharge of $100.00 will be added to bill. Third Violation – Customer is notified of violation and a surcharge of $250.00 will be added to bill. Fourth Violation – Customer is notified of violation and a surcharge of $500.00 will be added to bill. Fifth Violation – Customer is notified of violation and service is cut-off immediately. A surcharge of $500.00 will be added to bill. Service will be restored when customer provides the District assurances that violations will not continue. A $100.00 reconnect fee will apply.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO STAGES ARE OUTLINED BELOW:
*****Stage 2 (former restrictions)
Yard irrigation and vehicle washing allowed two days a week.
Operation of ornamental fountains is prohibited unless they recirculate their water.
****Stage 3 (new restrictions)
Yard irrigation and vehicle washing allowed only one day a week.
Operation of ornamental fountains is prohibited.
Water Rates increases
You can view an updated copy of the District's Drought Contingency Plan.
-As per the District’s Service Policies, you are hereby being notified of this change. This change will take effect during the month of August. The temporary rate increase will show up on the bill you receive in September. The District’s Drought Contingency Plan requires that the following responses be enacted:
Temporary Rate Increase
- Potable Water- Standard retail customers’ rates will be increased by the following:
- Tier 2: Add $0.50 per 1,000 gallons from 10,001 to 15,000 gallons of consumption to the current rate.
- Tier 3: Add $1.25 per 1,000 gallons from 15,001 to 25,000 gallons of consumption to the current rate.
- Tier 3: Add $3.50 per 1,000 gallons from 25,001 gallons and up of consumption to the current rate.
- Potable Water- Condos/large meter customers:
- Add $0.50 per 1,000 gallons of consumption to the current rate.
- Agricultural Water- All raw water diversions for customers and resaca pump bills will require a 10-percent surcharge.
- Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to Thursdays for customers with a street address ending in an even number (0,2,4,6,8), and Wednesdays for water customers with a street address engine in an odd number (1,3,5,7,9). Irrigation of landscaped areas is further restricted and prohibited between the hours of 10:00a.m. and 7:00p.m. on designated watering days. However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at any time if it is by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet filled bucket or watering can of five gallons or less, or a drip irrigation system.
- Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is prohibited except on designated watering days. Such washing shall be done with a bucket and a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rinses. Further, such washing may be exempted from these regulations if the health, safety, and welfare of the public are contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such as vehicles used to transport food and perishables.
- Operation of any ponds or ornamental fountain for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited. Fountains that are equipped with a recirculation system are exempt at this stage.
- Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to firefighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare. Use of water from designated fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed under special permit from the District.
- Irrigation of golf course greens, tees, and fairways is permitted between the hours 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. The watering of golf curse fairways is limited to 3 days per week and is restricted to between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 10 a.m.
- The following uses of water are defined as non-essential and are prohibited:
- Wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas;
- Use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection;
- Use of water for dust control;
- Flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street; and
- Failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s).
District personnel will observe and document violations of the water restriction guidelines using photographs, written documents and witness statements. After documentation of violations, the following will occur:
First Violation – Customer is given a warning and notified of actions to be taken if violations continue. Second Violation – Customer is notified of violation and a surcharge of $100.00 will be added to bill. Third Violation – Customer is notified of violation and a surcharge of $250.00 will be added to bill. Fourth Violation – Customer is notified of violation and a surcharge of $500.00 will be added to bill. Fifth Violation – Customer is notified of violation and service is cut-off immediately. A surcharge of $500.00 will be added to bill. Service will be restored when customer provides the District assurances that violations will not continue. A $100.00 reconnect fee will apply.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO STAGES ARE OUTLINED BELOW:
*****Stage 2 (former restrictions)
Yard irrigation and vehicle washing allowed two days a week.
Operation of ornamental fountains is prohibited unless they recirculate their water.
****Stage 3 (new restrictions)
Yard irrigation and vehicle washing allowed only one day a week.
Operation of ornamental fountains is prohibited.
Water Rates increases
You can view an updated copy of the District's Drought Contingency Plan.
