gma3
enthusiast
Posts: 607
Reg: 10-17-06
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03-24-12 06:21 PM - Post#147022
http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Residents- angry-as-...
Isn't this just wonderful news.!!!!???? Can't they wait awhile to see what the rain will be like in a month or so.? So fustrating and maddening to say the least....
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asmile4u
enthusiast
Posts: 773
Loc: Allen
Reg: 04-20-08
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03-24-12 10:41 PM - Post#147023
In response to gma3
I couldn't believe this when I read it this morning. What idiots. Come this summer, that 6" will be gone before you know it. There must be some exception to the rule.
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AllenConsumer
member
Posts: 75
Reg: 07-06-11
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03-25-12 12:01 AM - Post#147024
In response to asmile4u
I couldn't believe this when I read it this morning. What idiots. Come this summer, that 6" will be gone before you know it. There must be some exception to the rule.
Huh?! Did you read it? It explains why they did what they did. We aren't the experts, they are.
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will
enthusiast
Posts: 144
Reg: 07-28-09
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03-25-12 07:48 AM - Post#147028
In response to AllenConsumer
As annoying as this is, if the rain picture over the next month or so were to bring flooding, "extra" water in Lavon could mean an inability to control flooding that could result in a loss of property or life.
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SB
enthusiast
Posts: 1133
Reg: 09-07-03
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03-25-12 09:06 AM - Post#147032
In response to will
Several factors are affecting this situation.
Growth. This area is one of the fastest growing in the country. Growth of water assets hasn't kept pace. This isn't evidence of incompetence but just a reality of a process of land and water rights. It's probably time to examine regional growth policy. Think all the communities will cooperate?
Conservation. I think the water district is doing a reasonable job so far managing water use. Allen stepped up and met conservation goals. Some cities, McKinney and Frisco among them, did not. There is a delicate balance in maintaining appropriate lake levels and a full lake now, at the end of a rainy season, tells nothing about what the level will be in August. The water district is trying to buy water rights from Dallas and trying to acquire land in east Texas for new water. Why should anyone cooperate with NTMWD when they see no evidence of serious conservation?
Weather. Anyone have an idea on how to manage it?
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8753
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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03-25-12 11:21 AM - Post#147036
In response to SB
We will continue to be in stage 3 starting April 1 with the exception that we will be able to water once a week, but before 10 am and after 6 pm on our specified watering day. So, if right now your watering day is Sunday twice a month, it will continue to be on Sunday once a week. It would be a good idea to have an irrigation specialist re-evaluate your sprinkler system to make sure you are not wasting water. This might include moving or replacing sprinkler heads, adjusting water pressure, converting to drip irrigation in some areas, etc. The city has a rebate program of up to $125 depending on how much work is done.
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jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1319
Reg: 08-31-05
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03-25-12 02:11 PM - Post#147039
In response to denisew
The city has a rebate program of up to $125 depending on how much work is done.
Do you have a link for the specifics of that rebate? I need to have our sprinkler adjusted soon - the extreme heat last summer took a toll on my sprinker system. If I can only water once per week, I need to make sure my system is at its peak performance and I certainly can use a rebate!
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8753
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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03-25-12 05:21 PM - Post#147042
In response to jogo
Here is a direct link to the rebate program: http://cityofallen.org/index.aspx?nid=969
It is the first rebate listed.
And, here is a link to suggested ways to conserve water outdoors: http://cityofallen.org/index.aspx?NID=977
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Joe Armstrong
member
Posts: 33
Reg: 01-06-12
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03-26-12 07:14 AM - Post#147053
In response to denisew
I can't say enough good things about the city's water conservation rebate programs. Rebates have paid my water bill more than once. Low documentation and quick turn around times. VERY VERY GOOD programs!
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1347
Reg: 02-20-08
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03-27-12 05:13 PM - Post#147154
In response to Joe Armstrong
I would have much rather had the water release done on my trees and garden through the water system then out the back of the spillway. They could have started the April 1st start of weekly watering early.
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Fred The Fisherman
enthusiast
Posts: 194
Reg: 09-11-06
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03-27-12 05:39 PM - Post#147156
In response to DrivinTooFast
The water HAS to be released because anything over a certain level belongs to the City of Dallas through water rights, from what I've read.
Very unlikely we will ever be back at stage 2 drought conditions due to 20% loss of incoming water from Lake Texoma due to the zebra mussels. Until they find a solution or a replacement we are going to be under water restrictions.
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readingu
enthusiast
Posts: 705
Reg: 02-08-04
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03-28-12 03:19 PM - Post#147197
In response to Fred The Fisherman
DMN article for today
Link
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jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1319
Reg: 08-31-05
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03-29-12 09:56 AM - Post#147228
In response to denisew
Thanks Denise. Unfortunately, that rebate isn't going to help me because I'm not redoing my system, only repairing some issues. Based on what the irrigation guy tells me, it would cost about $4000 to get my sprinker system replaced to meet current City of Allen standards which are some of the most stringent in the area (and I have a standard sized yard with a pool taking up most of the backyard).
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rw
member
Posts: 420
Reg: 10-11-01
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03-29-12 01:26 PM - Post#147250
In response to jogo
Thanks Denise. Unfortunately, that rebate isn't going to help me because I'm not redoing my system, only repairing some issues. Based on what the irrigation guy tells me, it would cost about $4000 to get my sprinker system replaced to meet current City of Allen standards which are some of the most stringent in the area (and I have a standard sized yard with a pool taking up most of the backyard).
I highly recommend that you get a second opinion...
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jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1319
Reg: 08-31-05
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03-29-12 01:48 PM - Post#147252
In response to rw
I'm not getting my sprinkler system replaced, no need to get an estimate. I'll be outside handwatering my grass with a hose before we spend $4000!!
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8753
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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03-29-12 02:33 PM - Post#147254
In response to jogo
I had a licensed irrigator come out this week to do an evaluation on my sprinkler system that we've had in place for about 15 years. She said in a perfect world that it would cost about $3,000 to change everything out to meet the city's irrigation regulations. But, since I am grandfathered in, she suggested less expensive alternatives such as replacing the rotor heads with a different kind of head, capping off a couple heads, changing out heads which were in place along an area where we used to have a fence to a 90 degree head or other appropriate angle, raising or lowering heads, etc. - all things we can do ourselves for a whole lot less money. She is going to send an evaluation report to me via e-mail with the suggested changes which will help when I go to get the parts. She also helped me set my timer correctly which should help conserve water. Also, the sprinkler heads she suggested are not available at the big box stores. She will give me a list of places in her e-mail that sell them. I am looking forward to getting her report in the next day or two.
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1347
Reg: 02-20-08
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04-04-12 08:49 AM - Post#147663
In response to denisew
Plant wildflowers - Done.
1. No watering
2. No Mowing
3. No fertilization
Where is my rebate for that!
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pcrtx
member
Posts: 36
Reg: 09-01-07
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04-04-12 10:43 AM - Post#147677
In response to DrivinTooFast
And they are still tacking on the water usage surcharge on our monthly bill that we have to pay when we are in a drought! Gotta love government.
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-26-12 05:50 PM - Post#148487
In response to pcrtx
I just posted in the Town Hall forum, but there's a line in the Stage 3 ordinance that "Prohibits the operation of spray ground recreation water parks that do not treat and recirculate water."
That means, that my kid's day care, which has one spray fountain that is uphill from a city pond, can't have splash days this summer. For those of you unfamiliar, splash days are 15 minutes a day. Each class gets their own day. They go out for 15 minutes around 9am. They did this all last summer in the middle of the drought.
Basically, what this says is that you can go to Celebration Park, but those of you who's parent's both work and have to send you to day care are SOL. Not only that, but when it's really hot, they can't go outside at all, so splash day may be the only time they go outside all week, if it's really hot.
I'm sure that Target will be selling Slip N Slides, but my kid can't play for 15 minutes every Friday in the water when there's no drought.
I just sent an email to the head of the Water Conservation Department, and copied every City Council Member, the City Manager and the Mayor.
I'm so angry right now!
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Don4
enthusiast
Posts: 368
Loc: Allen 1993
Reg: 04-11-06
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04-26-12 07:11 PM - Post#148498
In response to StacyLynn624
They did this all last summer in the middle of the drought.
... and they should have been fined, right?
Edited by Don4 on 04-26-12 07:13 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-26-12 07:26 PM - Post#148499
In response to Don4
No. They did it at 9 am, for 15 minutes a day. We also weren't on stage 3.
Frisco doesn't have this little line item that discriminates against kids with both parents working.
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-26-12 07:29 PM - Post#148500
In response to Don4
If you had read my post, you would have seen that.
Good to see that you want the little kiddos who are away from their parents all day to be miserable all of June, July, and August. Nice! Those 15 minutes of water, 5 times a week that makes the 3 year olds squeal with delight must be too precious with a full lake.
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-26-12 07:38 PM - Post#148503
In response to StacyLynn624
Here's the NTMWD's guidelines for stage 3
http://www.ntmwd.com/downloads/newsrelease s/drough...
No mention of splash parks. Same as Frisco. Why does Allen want to make the pre-schoolers miserable?
Edited by StacyLynn624 on 04-26-12 07:38 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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mgrayar
enthusiast
Posts: 3147
Reg: 09-25-09
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04-26-12 10:18 PM - Post#148508
In response to StacyLynn624
You know that the City isn't really trying to make your kids upset, right? I understand it's a fun activity, but is its removal really making your kids miserable? Lots of families work. This isn't personal against you, your kids, or your kids school.
The school could install an actual splash pad that filters and recycles the water if it is really damaging the little ones. The cost seems worth it to avoid the trauma.
Celebration is open on your days off as well, so you could still get the one day a week if you so choose.
Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and how you can help at:
http://www.cff.org
Everyone can make a difference! |
Edited by mgrayar on 04-26-12 10:19 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-27-12 09:34 AM - Post#148517
In response to mgrayar
My kid wants to splash with his friends and teachers at day care. I guess you'd have to see it to understand. I used to go to work late on Fridays just to see it, because he was so happy. I guess you don't understand. Maybe you had a family memeber stay at home so your kids didn't have to go to day care. Maybe you didn't have to make that sacrifice.
The city of Allen is the only city out of the 13 member cities to have this restriction. The only one. This line item only affects children at daycares. That's it. Based on that, please tell me how the city isn't trying to make my child upset?
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Nutmeg
member
Posts: 50
Reg: 11-06-06
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04-27-12 10:35 AM - Post#148524
In response to StacyLynn624
I am pretty sure the city is not targeting your child. The issue of water use is a serious issue that has ramifications for the long term economic health of the region.
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-27-12 10:50 AM - Post#148530
In response to Nutmeg
Here's the current US drought map for the South:
http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_south.htm
Also, the cities of Austin, San Antonio, and Lubbock are all on Stage 2 restrictions. None of which ban spray parks like the one at my son's school.
15 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Is that going to drain the lake?
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cp
enthusiast
Posts: 195
Reg: 12-14-11
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04-27-12 11:31 AM - Post#148537
In response to StacyLynn624
My kid wants to splash with his friends and teachers at day care. I guess you'd have to see it to understand. I used to go to work late on Fridays just to see it, because he was so happy. I guess you don't understand. Maybe you had a family memeber stay at home so your kids didn't have to go to day care. Maybe you didn't have to make that sacrifice.
The city of Allen is the only city out of the 13 member cities to have this restriction. The only one. This line item only affects children at daycares. That's it. Based on that, please tell me how the city isn't trying to make my child upset?
I feel sorry for your kids. Period.
| "In religion and politics people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination..." -Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain |
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-27-12 11:56 AM - Post#148540
In response to cp
Wow! You're really nice. I'm trying to do what's best for my kid. I bust my rear every single day to make sure that he has everything that he needs and that he is well taken care of and loved. I just want him to have some fun in his day. I hate to see him disappointed.
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mgrayar
enthusiast
Posts: 3147
Reg: 09-25-09
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04-27-12 12:26 PM - Post#148546
In response to StacyLynn624
Stacy, I'm not trying to say you don't have a reason to be upset, however the issue is bigger than splashing at daycare. San Antonio and Austin have different water sources. Collin county lost a large portion of its water capacity when we lost Texoma. We do not have the capacity of water we had just a few years ago. As we stand now, stage 4 is already a real possibility. There is nothing we can do to immediately increase capacity, so reducing discretionary usage is all we can do.
I understand it is not optimal, but it is reality.
Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and how you can help at:
http://www.cff.org
Everyone can make a difference! |
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cp
enthusiast
Posts: 195
Reg: 12-14-11
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04-27-12 12:33 PM - Post#148547
In response to StacyLynn624
Wow! You're really nice. I'm trying to do what's best for my kid. I bust my rear every single day to make sure that he has everything that he needs and that he is well taken care of and loved. I just want him to have some fun in his day. I hate to see him disappointed.
Honestly, I don't think your child will be affected by it as much as it has affected you, based on the numerous posts of frustration you've displayed on here. And you aren't even the one getting to enjoy the splash time.
Is your schedule really so busy with work (or other things) that you solely depend on your child's day care to provide such a monumental moment of fun that you have absolutely no time outside of that to provide the fun yourself? If so, I'd highly recommend switching some priorities around. While your child will only be a child once, you'll only be their parent once while they're a child. The day care can provide as much fun as they are allowed. You, OTOH, have more access to providing whatever fun the day care couldn't. So, if work has your schedule bound so much, then I'd consider some alternatives. Plenty of them have been mentioned, either on this thread or the other you've posted in...
| "In religion and politics people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination..." -Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain |
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-27-12 12:50 PM - Post#148548
In response to cp
mgrayer - 28%. I work in statistics and guessing outcomes for the year. I wouldn't say 28% is an overwhelming majority. Kind of like last summer's weather was a statistical anomaly, as was that summer 5 years or so ago when it rained all summer. It will rain between now and August 31st. I guarantee it.
cp - You know nothing about my life.
I guess I should know better. This city is full of people who don't think that you can go back to the drawing board on anything to make it better. That's why we're spending $65 Million on a 19,000 seat football stadium for 1 school.
You don't always have to accept the first draft of anything, and the Government isn't always right.
I thought Allen was all about the kids.
Sorry for wanting my child to have some fun while his parents are working.
Edited by StacyLynn624 on 04-27-12 12:52 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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rw
member
Posts: 420
Reg: 10-11-01
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04-27-12 12:56 PM - Post#148549
In response to StacyLynn624
Why not take it to the City Council...that would be your best opportunity to make changes...
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janes
enthusiast
Posts: 347
Loc: Allen, TX USA
Reg: 07-07-02
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04-27-12 12:58 PM - Post#148551
In response to StacyLynn624
Stacy - do not apologize. CP is just trying to ruffle feathers. It will work out. As a working mom myself, I understand your frustration. Even if your child were not in daycare, you would still want them to have "fun". Water play in summer is extremely important and a fun part of their development.
Just keep on being a mama bear.. :)
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-27-12 01:00 PM - Post#148552
In response to rw
I copied them on my email last night.
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-27-12 01:01 PM - Post#148553
In response to janes
THANK YOU!!! Someone who is actually understanding what I'm trying to say!!!
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mgrayar
enthusiast
Posts: 3147
Reg: 09-25-09
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04-27-12 01:02 PM - Post#148554
In response to rw
Stacy,
I would consider 28% a large portion, which is exactly why I called it a "large portion" above. That is 28% of the capacity that had us in drought conditions years ago. With the growth of the area the past few years, even at full capacity Collin County would be in stage two right now. Losing 28% of the water for one of the fastest growing areas in the country is nothing to be flippant about.
Again, I understand your frustration, however we all live under the same rules.
Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and how you can help at:
http://www.cff.org
Everyone can make a difference! |
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jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1319
Reg: 08-31-05
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04-27-12 01:05 PM - Post#148556
In response to StacyLynn624
I think I'm siding more with StacyLynn on this one. If none of the other 13 member cities have this restriction, why does Allen? Why not ban the sale of slip and slides, etc. in Allen too - those waste lots of water? I'm all for conserving water - I think Allen likes to go beyond what is necessary sometimes in order to prove our superiority to other cities.
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SB
enthusiast
Posts: 1133
Reg: 09-07-03
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04-27-12 01:06 PM - Post#148557
In response to StacyLynn624
I thought Allen was all about the kids.
Allen is about Allen and there are many groups other than kids who have their interests and needs thrown into the mix.
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cp
enthusiast
Posts: 195
Reg: 12-14-11
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04-27-12 01:08 PM - Post#148559
In response to janes
Stacy - do not apologize. CP is just trying to ruffle feathers. It will work out. As a working mom myself, I understand your frustration. Even if your child were not in daycare, you would still want them to have "fun". Water play in summer is extremely important and a fun part of their development.
Just keep on being a mama bear.. :)
Do I know you? You don't know me. So, why state I'm ruffling someone's feathers? Since when does giving someone the opportunity to think about a situation outside of their emotion considered ruffling feathers? I'm not.
Sorry, try again.
Back to the topic at hand...
| "In religion and politics people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination..." -Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain |
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SB
enthusiast
Posts: 1133
Reg: 09-07-03
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04-27-12 01:28 PM - Post#148560
In response to SB
StacyLynn624, I don't think you understand the seriousness of the water shortage. A drought is not an anomaly. A drought happens because there is a persistent weather pattern. Consider again that 28% figure for Texoma water resources. Historically it is 28% but given the condition of Lavon it may have been a greater source in 2011. At one point Lavon was down over 12 feet, over half it's capacity was empty. If Lavon had dropped another 4 feet the water pumps would have been above the surface and none of the remaining Lavon water would have been available. How's that for serious? Plenty of water now but projections through the summer are mixed. During summer months we use three times the water that we do now. My grandkids have all parents and grandparents working full time. They visit Celebration park, visit swimming pools, and they have fun despite the water restrictions.
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-27-12 02:02 PM - Post#148562
In response to SB
I don't think that you understand the seriousness of how stupid this one line item is.
SB - I am not saying that Stage 3 restrictions are dumb and that we shouldn't be using our sprinklers every day and watering the sidewalk.
I'm arguing the one tiny line item. Let's say if all of the line items together saved all of the water, how much would be attributed to each line item? Would limiting the number of times you could use your sprinkler system save 10% of that 100% saved? 50%? How much does not having splash day 5 days a week for 15 minutes a day save of that 100%? 1%? 2%? It's certainly not the driver of the water conservation effort. It's not draining the lake.
How would you feel if your grandkids were stuck inside at daycare all summer long, from 7:30 to 6, staring out the window because the city told them they couldn't splash in the water? Most of the summer, that 15 minutes at 9am is the only time they get to run around outside.
I just want my kid to be able to play outside, in the water, in a safe, enclosed environment, with his friends. Is that too much to ask?
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mgrayar
enthusiast
Posts: 3147
Reg: 09-25-09
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04-27-12 02:46 PM - Post#148566
In response to StacyLynn624
Just to clarify, slip and slides have been mentioned a lot. The use of these items are also restricted. It is no more allowed under stage 3 than is the splash time at the day care.
Nobody is targeting daycare kids. The restrictions effect us all! This is not personal, it is real.
It may not be ideal, but be glad you live in an area that has great facilities that are available when you choose to use them. It really is a blessing to have splash pads in the area that do recycle water and can be used even in drought.
Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and how you can help at:
http://www.cff.org
Everyone can make a difference! |
Edited by mgrayar on 04-27-12 02:47 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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SB
enthusiast
Posts: 1133
Reg: 09-07-03
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04-27-12 04:41 PM - Post#148571
In response to StacyLynn624
How would you feel if your grandkids were stuck inside at daycare all summer long, from 7:30 to 6, staring out the window because the city told them they couldn't splash in the water? Most of the summer, that 15 minutes at 9am is the only time they get to run around outside.
If this is the situation then the problem is the daycare and not the water conservation restrictions. Daycare activities need not revolve around a few minutes under a water sprinkler.
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-27-12 09:43 PM - Post#148583
In response to SB
Seriously people. You are not reading anything that I'm writing at all.
No one has answered me yet on how much water is actually used by this one line item. The rest of the restrictions are fine.
There's no problem with the daycare. Kids need to go outside.
I understand that slip and slides are against the regulations. Why are they still sold in stores where you cant use them? Is anyone patrolling the streets to catch people using them? What about those $500 inflatable water slides? They sell those at all of the stores. Can you seriously tell me that they are used according to the time restrictions? Give me a break.
I think we need restrictions. We need to conserve water. I'm not disagreeing with you, and I haven't the whole time. The issue is this specific line item. Why don't you tell me how that one line item saves more than all of the others combined? Or, how it saves the majority? Or how it saves more than any of the others, because I think it saves as much as if I showered with my husband every day for a week.
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mgrayar
enthusiast
Posts: 3147
Reg: 09-25-09
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04-27-12 10:15 PM - Post#148586
In response to StacyLynn624
Stacy, yes someone does patrol to catch abusers. In fact, more people this year than last. It is not illegal to sell a slip and slide, that's silly. Just like it is not illegal to sell a hose. It is just against the rules to use either improperly.
In terms of volume of water used, I cannot answer that. However, that would be good info for you to acquire for your petition to get the rule changed.
Have you called the city? I had a question a few weeks back about hose-in weed control and they were easy to get a hold of.
Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and how you can help at:
http://www.cff.org
Everyone can make a difference! |
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SB
enthusiast
Posts: 1133
Reg: 09-07-03
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04-27-12 10:54 PM - Post#148589
In response to mgrayar
Conservation doesn't just include water savings from a few big things. Conservation comes from lots of little savings that combine to make a big savings.
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hollowel
enthusiast
Posts: 138
Reg: 01-29-07
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05-24-12 11:12 AM - Post#149711
In response to SB
Looks like they may be easing the water restrictions
North Texas Municipal Water District expected to ease restrictions
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TC2112
enthusiast
Posts: 750
Reg: 08-16-07
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05-25-12 10:08 AM - Post#149734
In response to hollowel
Returning to Stage 2.
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