PFLUGERVILLE, Texas, May 22, 2002 -- City of Pflugerville representatives recently announced that a predicted dry summer and a growing population are expected to strain the city's water capacity, but conservation measures and the Drop by Drop landscape rebate program should stave off mandatory restrictions if customers respond.
In a release dated May 2, 2002 The National Weather Service, the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories predict a drier-than-normal Monsoon season conditions in the Southwest. Current conditions for Pflugerville and central Texas are abnormally dry.
City of Pflugerville water customers are asked to follow the voluntary once every five days watering schedule, irrigating their lawns before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. When watering, customers are asked to soak lawns with three-quarters to one-inch of water.
"We encourage the five-day voluntary water conservation," said Joey Miller, Pflugerville Utility Director.
"Some of the best opportunities to save water are when the measures not only help the environment and save money, but solve other problems too. We ask that our citizens follow the voluntary 5-day watering schedule to keep their grass & plants green, without straining Pflugerville's water supply, " said Miller.
The Drop by Drop program was established by the city to promote water conservation through xeriscape landscaping by offering an incentive for planting trees, shrubs, plants, and grasses that are on the city's program list to conserve water, according to Angela Ploetz, Pflugerville City Senior Planner and Committee Member of the Drop by Drop Landscape Rebate Program.
City of Pflugerville Drop by Drop Rebate Program (February 1st-June 1st, 2002):
The rebate will be in a form of a check with a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $400.00. To participate in the Drop by Drop rebate program, you must purchase the appropriate amount of plants in order to meet the $50 minimum rebate.
"The city established a pilot program two years ago to encourage water customers to plant the xeriscape trees and shrubs that thrive in the Pflugerville area," said Ploetz.
"The program is designed to reduce maintenance time in yards, and reduce need for costly fertilizers/pesticides that can pollute water resource, attract hummingbirds/butterflies to yards, and conserve natural resources, " said Ploetz.
The Drop by Drop program is rewarding according to Drop by Drop participant Camilla E. Widenhofer, The Club At Wellspoint subdivision resident.
"I just wanted to thank the city of Pflugerville for the Drop by Drop Landscape Rebate Program, which I recently completed," said Widenhofer. "The program was financially and aesthetically rewarding! I can't wait to participate again and again as I watch my landscape flourish. I'd love to see more residents take advantage of the program so we can all enjoy beautiful, low-maintenance landscapes," said Widenhofer.
City of Pflugerville Mayor Scott Winton joined the City of Pflugerville Water Conservation Program and the Drop by Drop representatives recently, in extolling the money-saving, as well as resources-saving, virtues of the city's conservation programs.
"Water conservation measures gain added importance as summer approaches and I really appreciate the efforts of the Water Conservation Committee," said Winton.
"I would like to extend my thanks for their hard work to the following Water Conservation Committee Members:
Angela Ploetz-Planning Department, Joey Miller-Utilities Department, JoAnne Thornton-Library, Glenn Holzer-Parks and Recreation, and Don Sheffield-Building Department.
Meaningful energy conservation strategies don't have to be complicated or costly. These quick and easy ideas help you save energy, money, and the environment without breaking a sweat or your piggy bank.
For more information on the City of Pflugerville Drop by Drop Program, please call Angela Ploetz, Senior Planner at (512) 990-4370 Ext. 264 or view a PDF document at http://www.cityofpflugerville.com/Documents/rebate.pdf.
For complete information on the City of Pflugerville, please visit the city web site at http://www.cityofpflugerville.com.
For complete information on the National Weather Service, please visit http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ewx.
