Light, intermittent summer rain showers are a welcome, temporary relief for the drought conditions North Texans are currently experiencing. And while the showers will not produce enough rainfall to raise the two primary North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) lakes to normal conservation levels, the showers should provide adequate water for most North Texas lawns and gardens this week.

Experts at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (AgriLife) released weather-based data, provided by AgriLife's "Texas ET Network" on Monday indicating no additional watering using sprinkler or automatic irrigation systems will be needed this week.

"The light but steady rains we've received since Sunday across North Texas should be sufficient for the outdoor watering most lawns would need under NTMWD's Stage 3, once-per-week watering restrictions," said Jim Parks, executive director of NTMWD. "If you don't have a rain sensor cutoff on your automatic irrigation system, you can conserve water by manually turning off your system until next week," Parks added.

NTMWD officials, working in cooperation with AgriLife along with NTMWD Member Cities and Customers, are offering a new tool that computes landscape water needs based on local weather conditions. The website, www.WaterMyYard.org, has been developed to assist property owners in the NTMWD service area to determine an adequate amount of supplemental water that is needed to maintain a healthy landscape. Based on weather conditions, this week's recommendation states no additional watering is needed.

For more information on efficient use of irrigation systems and other water conservation measures, click here.

Story courtesy of the City of Rockwall