09/03/2026
PRESS RELEASE City Requests Voluntary Outdoor Watering Restrictions
To: For Immediate Release
From: Robert G. Vine, City Manager
Re: City Requests Voluntary Outdoor Watering Restrictions
Date: September 3, 2026
The City of Mount Pleasant is asking city residents and customers of the Tri-County Special Utility District to voluntarily limit outdoor watering to help maintain water pressures and preserve storage reserves during the current period of high demand.
In early July, a filter at the I-30 Water Treatment Plant suffered significant damage, reducing the plant's production capacity by approximately 3 million gallons per day. Replacement parts have been ordered, but due to the specialized nature of the equipment, delivery and installation are expected to take several months.
To help offset the loss in production capacity, the City has been operating the Lake Bob Sandlin (LBS) Water Treatment Plant around the clock. Even with both treatment plants running at maximum capacity, the ongoing heat wave and lack of rainfall have driven water demand to unusually high levels, largely due to landscape and lawn irrigation.
Under normal circumstances, the City's water system can easily meet current demand. However, with the loss of the filter, production is now closely matching daily consumption. Water treatment facilities are currently processing approximately 10,000 gallons per minute, while customer demand exceeds that. As a result, the City is struggling to meet current demands with limited ability to replenish storage reserves.
City staff have also begun seeing pressure fluctuations in portions of Titus County, and the City has received water pressure-related complaints from residents in the County. The City of Mount Pleasant supplies water to the Tri-County Special Utility District, which serves customers throughout Titus County. Because these areas are located at the far end of the distribution system, they are typically the first to experience pressure reductions when system demand is elevated.
To help maintain adequate system pressures, rebuild water reserves, and ensure sufficient water is available for fire protection needs, the City is recommending that outdoor sprinkler use occur only between midnight and 6 a.m. We are requesting voluntary compliance and anticipate this step will reduce the overall demand and allow staff to replenish storage and maintain appropriate pressure for all customers. At this time, the City is not specifying which days sprinklers can be used, but that may be the next step if necessary.
This is a temporary conservation measure intended to help the City manage water production limitations until the ability to replenish storage levels returns to normal expectations. Water production capacity, system pressures, storage levels, and overall demand will be reviewed weekly to determine whether this is necessary to continue.
The issue is limited to water pressure; water quality has not been affected or reduced.
The City appreciates the cooperation of all customers as we work through this temporary challenge and continue providing reliable water service throughout Mount Pleasant and Titus County.
