The City of Amarillo is responding to questions about its Stage 1 Drought Contingency Plan, emphasizing that the city is not down to 60% of its total water supply.
According to the city, the 60% figure that triggered Stage 1 applies only to Amarillo's 500-million-gallon raw water storage reservoir. That reservoir receives raw water from the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority and is just one part of the city's overall water system, which also includes city well fields.
City officials compared the reservoir to a savings account. During extended periods of hot, dry weather and heavy water use, the city can draw water from the reservoir faster than it is replenished.
The city's adopted Drought Contingency Plan identifies 60% reservoir capacity as one of the thresholds for entering Stage 1. Amarillo reached that mark following sustained heat, dry conditions and high water demand.
Stage 1 calls for voluntary conservation rather than mandatory restrictions. The goal is to reduce demand enough to slow the reservoir's decline and give it an opportunity to recover.
Residents and businesses are being asked to follow the city's voluntary watering schedule and limit outdoor watering to no more than three times per week. City parks, public golf courses and other public facilities are following the same schedule.
The city says recent water-use numbers indicate more participation is needed.
That could become particularly important if the reservoir continues to decline. If it reaches the 50% threshold, Amarillo would move into Stage 2 of its drought plan, which includes mandatory conservation measures.
City officials say greater voluntary conservation now could help the reservoir recover and potentially prevent the need for those mandatory restrictions.
The city also sought to reassure residents that Stage 1 does not mean Amarillo is running out of water.
"Reaching the 60% reservoir threshold does not mean Amarillo has only 60% of its total water supply remaining," the city said. "Stage 1 allows the City and community to take simple, voluntary steps to help offset high demand and support recovery of the reservoir."
The Stage 1 declaration also does not automatically increase residents' water rates. The city said Stage 1 is a conservation stage established under its existing drought plan and does not itself change Amarillo's adopted water rates.
The announcement has also raised questions about data centers and other large water users as residents consider how future development could affect the region's water supply.
The city acknowledged those concerns but said the current Stage 1 declaration is specifically tied to the level of the raw water reservoir and the thresholds contained in the drought plan.
Questions surrounding large future water users are part of a broader discussion about Amarillo's long-term water supply and planning for growth, according to the city. Officials said they are working to provide additional information about how large water users are evaluated, how future demand is incorporated into planning and how the city intends to protect its long-term water supply.
