The city of Amarillo is enacting additional steps to curb water usage, including closing splash pads and suspending irrigation at city facilities, as the Panhandle faces ongoing drought conditions.
The city’s announcement late Friday came just days after officials announced the city would enter Stage 1 of its drought contngency plan as the region faces lingeing drough conditions.
Already, Stage 1 features voluntary water reduction measures, including for residential irrigation. But the city stated the results have not been enough, so they are taking more steps including, suspending irrigation at city parks and facilities and closing park splash pads.
The City of Amarillo said that reducing water used for irrigation and recreation helps preserve much needed water stored for the essential water needs of the community.
“We know these actions will have visible impacts to residents that enjoy our public facilities, but we’re asking our community to conserve water and the city has a responsibility to reduce its own water use as well,” the site said.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is currently showing much of the Panhandle in extreme drought and exceptional drought, with only five inches of rain so far this year – well below the year-to-date average.
Nell Williams is a staff writer covering trends and other news for the Amarillo Globe-News. Have a story idea? Email her at nwilliams@usatodayco.com .
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo closes splash pads, limits city irrigation amidst water shortage
Reporting by Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News | USA TODAY Network
