Frisco City Council members at the June 3 council meeting questioned whether a North Texas Municipal Water District request to switch to watering once every two weeks is the right move for the city.
The NTMWD is requesting that all 13 member cities have the same restriction of watering only once every two weeks.
City Manager George Purefoy and Public Works Director Gary Hartwell asked the council to strongly consider adopting the NTMWD's request, recommended the council discuss it in a special meeting June 7 and decide on the issue.
The special meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. in the Vivian McCallum room on the fourth floor of City Hall, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd. in conjunction with the city council and staff summer work session.
"We've got to do some things out of the norm that we're not used to doing," Purefoy said. "For this summer I would ask you to search your hearts, and see if you can find a way to approve what we've been asked to do, because I think at this time it's the right thing to do."
City Council members said they don't think a one-size-fits-all solution is the answer.
"Each city does something a little different based on their demographics," said Mayor Maher Maso. "What we're doing out here is working for us. We're more interested in finding results, not doing it the way it's always been done."
Councilman Bob Allen echoed the mayor's comment.
"My concern is when you tell people 'every two weeks,' our consumption will go up," Allen said. "It doesn't make sense to me what [the NTMWD is] asking us to do."
Public Works Director Gary Hartwell, although supportive of the NTMWD's recommendation said he does have some concerns about going to watering once every two weeks, including:
Reducing the number of watering days could lead to increased water usage due to people over-watering on allowed days.
Concentrating outdoor watering on a few days could lead to lower water pressure and potential issues for the fire department.
Water quality concerns in the summer.
Councilman Jeff Cheney defended the city's water policies and resident education efforts and said he doesn't think watering once every two weeks would be a successful effort in Frisco.
"We think we have the best in the business in Gary Hartwell leading the charge for us," Cheney said. "I don't think I've ever been to an HOA meeting without seeing a representative from [Hartwell's] team educating the citizens.
"It takes years to roll out these messages, and to just think you can flip a switch and get a behavior change is nave," he continued. "I cannot support this knowing that it won't be successful.... This is a time for the district to show leadership and that leadership is not a one size fits all."
