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Weslaco city leaders voted on Monday to issue mandatory water restrictions.

Mayor Buddy de la Rosa said the decision came following record population growth in middle of the triple-digit heat and an on-going drought.

“Even after reducing municipal usage, importing water from the City of Mercedes, and calling for voluntary reductions,” explained Mr. Buddy de la Rosa, Mayor of the City of Weslaco, “Our engineers advise the City that we are exceeding our state permit, straining our pumps 24-hours a day, and cannot support current demand.”

City leaders told Action 4 News that water use in Weslaco should be both limited and staggered. 

Effective Wednesday, the watering of residential lawns is limited to once every seven days, from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Odd-numbered addresses are allowed to water on Tuesdays while even-numbered addresses allowed to water on Thursdays. 

Adding water to swimming pools is permissible only on designated irrigation days. 

The use of water to wash down driveways and buildings or to control dust is prohibited until further notice.

To save water, use these helpful tips:

• Water landscapes only when needed. Watering in the very early morning or evening is best.
• Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes, and scrape dishes instead of rinsing when loading the dishwasher.
• For a summer refreshment, keep a pitcher of water in the fridge instead of running the tap until it is cold.
• Put a favorite handyperson to work fixing leaks around the home, which can waste about 200 gallons per week. 
• Fixing leaks can add up to about $50 in utility bill savings annually.
• Consider using WaterSense labeled toilets, faucets and faucet accessories, which use at least 20 percent less water and can save $60 per year.

“Please help us be good stewards of our resources this hot summer,” said Mayor de la Rosa.  “Use water prudently and pray for rain.” 

For a complete list of activities deemed to be a waste of water, or for more specific guidance to commercial water accounts, please refer to Chapter 6 of the Water Conservation Plan, posted to the homepage for the City of Weslaco at www.weslacotx.gov.