Cross Roads Utility District implements drought plan

Existing hot and dry weather conditions have prompted Cross Roads Special Utility District to implement stage one of a Drought Contingency Plan.

Stage one is slated to go into effect on August 1, for a period of 45 days, in response to existing mild water shortage conditions and near-record water use Monday night. The first stage of the Drought Contingency Plan is a decrease in water usage, by customers, to achieve a 10 percent reduction in daily usage, especially during the peak-usage hours of 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Cross Roads Special Utility District suggests setting automatic sprinklers to come on after midnight.

The district asks that customers alternate watering days by their water account number. Account numbers ending in an even number should water on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Those ending in an odd number should water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Cross Road has drilled another water supply well in the New Hope Community, however the well will not be on-line until early fall.

City of Kilgore officials have not needed to implement any portion of their Drought Contingency Plan.

"We are monitoring usage daily," David Hackley, utilities superintendent, said. ""If we see that the city cannot keep up with the demands of our customers we may implement the Drought Contingency Plan; but right now I don't see any reason to do so."

Like Kilgore, Liberty City Water has no immediate plans to issue any mandates.

Information for West Gregg and Elderville special utility districts was unavailable at press time.

Questions and comments for Cross Roads should be phoned in to 903-984-8014.