Mayor Miller urges the citizens to follow the schedule as amended below, “this will allow us to more adequately  evaluate the situation.  This is an opportunity to have a brief reprieve going into the summer, lets follow the schedule to see where we will end up.  If we will all work together to conserve as much as possible ,we may be able to avoid going back into Stage 3 restrictions.  No promises, however lets try to all do our part and pull together.” 

 

The current Drought Contingency Plan is available at www.portalesnm.gov.
As of Friday April 26, 2024, the City water storage tanks were at 29.5 feet. As of
Monday April 30, 2024, the water storage tanks are at 25.3 feet. As we continue
this trial of modified stage 2 restrictions it is imperative that we as a community
follow the conservation efforts decided by City Council.

As per the current Drought Contingency Plan if the tank levels fall below 22 feet, we go back into
Stage 3 restrictions. Which will be quickly followed by Council determination at
the next regular meeting or an emergency meeting. The modified Stage 2
restrictions allow for Residential Outdoor landscape watering: Each household can
water for 30 minutes per week per household between 9:00 pm and 7:00 am. Odd
Addresses water on from 9:00 pm Monday until 7:00 am Tuesday. Even
Addresses water from 9:00 pm Thursday until 7:00 am Friday. Handheld buckets
and shut-off hoses can be used anytime. Reclaimed and greywater may be used
anytime.

Below is a summary of the Stage 2 Restrictions with the amendments made by the
Council on April 23, 2024, when it was voted directing the City to move from
Stage 3 restrictions to modified Stage 2 restrictions.
Stage 2 Water Alert/Restrictions
(City Manager with City Council Concurrence)
• Water Supply Tanks Level
o 22 Feet and Dropping
• Government: Parks, Pool, Cemetery, and Fire Services
o Outdoor landscape watering: NO WATERING between 10 am and 6
pm. No watering on Mondays, then may water Tuesday, Thursday,
and Saturday. Handheld buckets and shut-off hoses can be used
anytime. Reclaimed and greywater may be used anytime.
o Swimming Pool: One initial filling for recirculating pools only, no
draining and refilling.
• Schools and Churches
o Outdoor landscape watering: NO WATERING between 10 am and 6
pm. No watering on Mondays, then may water Tuesday, Thursday,
and Saturday. Handheld buckets and shut-off hoses can be used
anytime. Reclaimed and greywater may be used anytime.
• Residential
o Outdoor landscape watering: NO WATERING between 10 am and 6
pm. No watering on Mondays, then may water Tuesday, Thursday,
and Saturday. Each household can water for 30 minutes per week per
household between 9:00 pm and 7:00 am. Odd Addresses water on
from 9:00 pm Monday until 7:00 am Tuesday. Even Addresses water
from 9:00 pm Thursday until 7:00 am Friday. Handheld buckets and
shut-off hoses can be used anytime. Reclaimed and greywater may be
used anytime.
o Car Washing: Anytime if bucket or shut-off hose is used.
o Spas and Swimming Pools: One initial filling for recirculating pools
only, no draining and refilling.
o Please avoid, water runoff from sprinkler systems, washing down pavement,
sidewalks, etc.
o Ornamental fountains: Allowed only if water is recirculating.
• Commercial
o Car Washing: Anytime on immediate premises.
o Nurseries: Encouraged to use conservation practices, but exempt from
irrigation restrictions.
o Restaurants: Only serve water on request.
o Construction projects: Limited to water use required by regulatory
agencies. For dust control only, effluent or reclaimed water may be
used.
o Please avoid, water runoff from sprinkler systems, washing down pavement,
sidewalks, etc.