With the drought continuing to receive more and more news coverage, an unpopular condition has become a very popular topic. Since mid-summer 1999 most of the state has been experiencing exceptionally dry conditions. With rain fall projected to be below normal for the rest of the winter and spring 2000, drought conditions could result in a serious water supply situation across much of Texas. Combined conservation storage contents for all major reservoirs in Texas was at the lowest level for this time of year in 22 years on record and the sixth lowest for all months on record.

So What Else Is New? Recurring drought is a natural part of Texas' highly variable climate. Unlike other types of weather related natural disasters, such as floods, droughts typically develop slowly, often almost imperceptibly over a period of months or even years. But like floods, drought can have widespread and far-reaching impacts on society, the economy, and the environment. While droughts cannot be prevented or managed per se, recent statewide droughts in Texas, such as that which occurred during 1996, have underscored the need for better preparation for responding to droughts. Such preparedness is particularly critical to the effective management of our most precious and essential natural resource - water.

State Requires Drought Plan. Since drought and uncontrollable circumstances can severally disrupt the normal availability of water and lead to water shortages, Senate Bill 1, 75th Texas Legislature set forth-statutory requirements that all public water suppliers are "to develop drought contingency plans....to be implemented during periods of water shortages and drought."

So What Is BWSC's Plan? As a BWSC member, you were given a copy of BWSC's Water Conservation and Emergency Demand Management Plan (Plan) when you initiated service. Included with this newsletter is a copy of our updated Plan. As you know, BWSC uses color-coded signs located throughout the service area to alert our customers to the various Stages of our Plan. These color coded signs are located along the roadside at various entry routes into our service area. BWSC developed it's Plan approximately 15 years ago with major revisions taking place in 1993 as a requirement for becoming a member of the Upper Trinity Regional Water District. BWSC's current Plan was designed not only to encourage water conservation, but when necessary, ensure an uninterrupted supply of water in an amount sufficient to satisfy essential human needs.

Our goal is to keep you our customer well informed about this very important aspect of our operation and to notify you immediately of changes within our system. We encourage you to keep the enclosed updated Plan for quick reference. We also encourage you to become familiar with and observe a Plan sign location in your neighborhood area.

Do You Have Any Suggestions? We value your opinion and since most things can be improved, we welcome your suggestions on how to improve our current Plan. Please read the enclosed Plan and address your comments/suggestions to Jim Leggieri, General Manager / BWSC C/O the office. We look forward to hearing from you. All suggestions will be reviewed and considered for use in future Plan revisions.

We are still receiving customer complaints regarding the delivery of Bartonville Water Supply Corporation's water bills. We have a Postal Service form for complaints concerning mail service. The form is titled "Consumer Service Card" and is available at our office or the U.S. Post Office for documentation of mail service problems. The Postal Service must act on all forms received so here is a chance to have your complaints heard.