Citizen Connection June 2019The key to having a reliable water supply in the future is to use it wisely now. This edition of the
Citizen Connection is filled with helpful tips and information about the City’s water system and how you
can partner with us to help conserve our water and protect our watersheds for future generations.
CITIZEN CONNECTION
JUNE 2019
CITY OF DENTON
Our watersheds are areas that collect, convey and maintain our vital water resources. These dynamic
systems supply our drinking water, offer recreational opportunities, irrigate crops, and provide habitats
for animals and plants. Unfortunately, they are also susceptible to pollution, which can degrade their
health and our water quality, increasing treatment costs. Watershed protection means protecting a
stream and lake by managing the areas which drain into it. And no, you do not need a stream in your
backyard to make a difference. We are all part of the Lewisville Lake watershed, which is a part of the
larger Trinity River Watershed supplying water from just south of the Texas Oklahoma Border to
Houston and the Gulf Coast. When we, as consumers and community stewards, learn about and
gain an appreciation for our drinking water sources, it becomes easy to understand the importance
of protecting them.
What are the leading types of pollution and what can you do? The most common pollutants are
sediment, nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), and bacteria. Too much of these pollutants can cause
our bodies of water to be impaired, which means that they do not meet their intended uses such as
drinking, swimming, or consuming the fish that are caught. Sediment can clog the gills of fish and
aquatic insects, and reduce lake storage capacity. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in the water
causes algae blooms, which block sunlight from reaching desirable vegetation. When plants and
algae die, they decay, which can lead to low oxygen levels and kill fish.
We can all make mindful decisions to do our part to protect water quality. We can limit nutrient
runoff by not over applying fertilizer, not applying it before a rain event where it washes off, or
better yet, planting native grass, which does not require fertilizer. Maintaining septic systems
and picking up pet waste prevents bacteria and viruses from washing into our waterways. Did you
know that curb drains go directly to the nearest stream without treatment? Blowing leaves into
inlets, or draining swimming pools into stormwater drains, impacts aquatic life and our drinking water
sources. You can help us protect our waterways by reporting any concerns to (940) 484-SPIL. To
learn more, visit www.dentonwatersheds.com.
PROTECTING THE SOURCE STARTS WITH US
The average household uses 320 gallons of
water per day. This includes both indoor
and outdoor water use, both of which increase
in the summer months. To achieve Denton’s
water conservation goals, the City promotes water
conservation practices to its residents and
businesses, enforces the Lawn and Landscape
Irrigation and Water Waste Ordinance, and has
adopted Water Conservation and Drought
Contingency plans.
You can learn more about water and energy
conservation by attending an upcoming Learn to
Conserve workshop or by registering for a free
energy or water audit for your home (must be the
home owner and a customer of Denton Municipal
Electric to qualify). For additional information
about audits and to see a schedule of upcoming
workshops, visit www.sustainabledenton.com.
The key to having a reliable water supply in the
future is to use it wisely now. Here are a few tips to
help you conserve water in your home:
REDUCE YOUR SUMMER ENERGY AND
WATER USAGE WITH A FEW HELPFUL TIPS
• Look for the WaterSense label when replacing
fixtures or appliances.
• Replace older showerheads with low-flow
high-pressure heads to save approximately
15 gallons for every 10 minute shower.
• Reduce the time of showers and water running
on faucets.
• Repair household leaks for a potential estimated
savings of 800 gallons per month.
• Run full loads in the dishwasher or laundry to
reduce water consumption by 300-800 gallons
per month.
• Replace older toilets with low flow models for
an estimated savings of 100 gallons per month.
A publication of the City of Denton Department of Public Affairs
ADA/EOE/ADEA • TDD (800) 735-2989 • www.cityofdenton.com
Questions about the Citizen Connection? Call (940) 349-8171.
WATERING RESTRICTIONS RESUME
Water—we need it, our lawns and plants need it,
and if we form wise usage habits now, we
can count on our supply being available for
generations to come.
The Lawn and Landscape Irrigation and Waste
Water Ordinance, which can be viewed in its
entirety at www.cityofdenton.com/water,
focuses on teaching residents and businesses
more conscious ways to utilize our water.
The ordinance prohibits the watering of lawns
and landscapes between the hours of
10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from June 1 through
Sept. 30.
In addition to only watering between the hours
of 6 p.m. and 10 a.m., you can also help reduce
the water demand this summer by following
these water-wise irrigation quick tips:
• Water no more than twice a week to
encourage strong, deep root systems which
are better equipped to withstand the extreme
Texas heat.
• Do not water paved areas. Water flow into
the road or walkway indicates overwatering or
broken or misaligned sprinkler heads.
• Install water-wise landscaping. Choose native
plants to reduce your irrigation needs and mulch
in landscape beds to retain moisture.
• Use efficient irrigation. Consider drip irrigation
and efficient sprinkler heads to minimize waste.
• Check your irrigation system for leaks on a
regular basis and contact a licensed professional
to repair broken or leaking systems
• Utilize a smart system to detect moisture levels
or rain totals and only water when necessary.
Each year, the City conducts a water-loss audit,
which is a detailed measurement of how much
water was produced, and of that produced water,
how much actually made it to our customers. The
difference between what was produced versus
what was sold is then carefully analyzed, which
provides insight into the health of the system and
the practices used to manage it.
In the water-loss audit reported to the Texas Water
Development Board for the time period of Oct. 1,
2017 to Sept. 30, 2018, Denton’s system lost an
estimated 10.46 percent of the system input
volume. This loss includes 7.27 percent Real Loss
and 3.19 percent Apparent Loss. Real Loss is water
that never made it to a customer due to leaks or
breaks in pipes. Real Loss is mitigated by proactively
replacing pipes, fittings, and valves as they age, and
by timely repair of known water leaks. Apparent
Loss is mitigated by the City’s meter testing and
THE CITY STRIVES TO KEEP DENTON’S
WATER SAFE AND AFFORDABLE
replacement program. It represents water that
reached a customer, but was not fully billed, due
to older water meters having a tendency to under
register.
The 2018 Water Quality Report was mailed out
last month and is now available online. To
download a copy in either English or Spanish,
visit www.cityofdenton.com/water.
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