| Colleyville institutes water ban for holiday weekend |
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Colleyville, Texas…With exhausted fire crews and strained resources, North Texas cities continue battling fires that have ravaged the area in recent weeks. Officials in Colleyville have decided the best defense is a citizen offense and are pledging funds to assist in the fight. During the New Year’s weekend, Saturday, Dec. 31 through Monday, Jan. 2, when conditions are expected to worsen and holiday fireworks threaten to exacerbate an already hazardous situation, the city is offering a rebate on its water usage fees to encourage a daily 15-minute dowsing of yards and landscaping. “As a city, we’re willing to forego water revenue to help safeguard our citizens during a high-risk period. Once these fires start, high winds and dry ground makes them harder to fight. While we can’t control the high winds or warm temperatures, we can manage the ground conditions by encouraging our citizens to be proactive. If we save one house or stop one fire from starting, we’ll consider this program a success,” stated City Manager Bill Lindley. The three-day rebate period was devised to protect Colleyville citizens during a holiday weekend that, with fireworks, high winds and extremely dry conditions, is primed for fire outbreaks. Residents are also encouraged to cut high grass, remove leaves and debris from property, and stack firewood away from their homes. In addition to removing any barriers due to financial considerations, public officials and fire personnel in Colleyville hope the rebate spurs public awareness that a limited daily watering schedule can dramatically reduce the incidence of fires, or at least limit their spread. As in other North Texas cities, grass fires have plagued Colleyville in recent weeks, threatening people and property. The rebates are roughly equivalent to three days of water usage on the average winter water bill. Applications for the rebate are available on the city’s website at colleyville.com and must be submitted by Feb. 1, 2006. Residents should see the adjustment on their April statements. Officials across Texas are promoting a 15-minute daily watering schedule to reduce fire risks. However, with voluntary water restrictions in effect due to drought conditions, residents are cautioned to conserve water usage beyond the recommended schedule. Colleyville fire crews and police patrols will be out during the holiday weekend to enforce the ban on fireworks and outdoor burning. The city has already issued a Code Red, Colleyville’s early warning messaging system, reminding citizens that fireworks and outdoor burning are strictly prohibited. Violators may face felony charges and fines up to $2,000. The Code Red message, which reaches a database of 11,269, also encourages citizens to refrain from outdoor cooking, use of outdoor fireplaces or chimineas, and improper disposal of cigarettes and other materials until weather and ground conditions improve. Colleyville is located in northeast Tarrant County between Dallas and Fort Worth—minutes from DFW International Airport. Money magazine listed the city as one of the Top 100 “Best Places to Live” in America this year, ranking it highest among all Texas cities. Incorporated almost 50 years ago, Colleyville’s origins date to the mid-1800s. Today, the city comprises 13 square miles and boasts a population of approximately 21,000 people. |
Thursday, August 28, 2008
©2006 City of Colleyville, Texas
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