Officials in Fort Worth, Texas, say record levels of water usage, combined with a lack of rain, may force them to enact mandatory watering restrictions over the next several weeks, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
The Tarrant Regional Water District told the paper that unless heavy rains sweep through the area soon, it may institute State 1 water use restrictions, which allow residents to water just twice a week. It could kick in by the end of August.
The paper says the city has had year-round watering restrictions from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m since late 2007. However, the district-wide water usage in June was just below the all-time record last month, while Fort Worth itself used 8 billion gallons, breaking a five-year-old record of 7.8 billion.
"It's the temperatures that are really the big driver, but I think we have to continue to try and educate people about effectively and efficiently watering," Water Department spokeswoman Mary Gugliuzza told the Star-Telegram.
The source says Water bills for June sent out to customers included information to help consumers work to reduce water usage and educate them about what the various watering restrictions mean.
