City of Van under Stage 5 Drought Contingency Plan

A Stage 5 Drought Contingency Plan was put into place by the City of Van effective Jan. 4.

According to city officials, the plan was put into effect due to the loss of a major water well source.

“Stage 5 of the Drought Contingency Plan is being implemented due to the unexpected loss of a water well source for necessary repairs,” said a City of Van spokesperson through a city FACEBOOK post. “The city will repair the water well source as quickly as possible. You will be notified when Stage Five is no longer in effect.”

Stage 5 of the Drought contingency Plan restrictions include the prohibition of ALL water usage except for health, safety, and sanitary needs.

ALL landscape irrigation systems and outside lawn watering methods are strictly prohibited, according to the city’s FACEBOOK post.

“Stage 5 is further defined as the mandatory restriction of ALL non-essential residential, commercial, individual and recreational water use including, but not limited to, the outside washing of homes, windows/siding, driveways, vehicles, boats, and trailers.

“ANY use of landscape irrigation systems and outside lawn watering is strictly prohibited,” continued the city spokesperson. “The filling, refilling, or adding water to indoor or outdoor swimming pools and jacuzzi type pools is prohibited.

“The City of Van is restricting ALL non-essential water uses during Emergency Stage Five,” said the city spokesperson. “You may be ticketed or fined if you do not adhere to the mandatory use restrictions.

“Any water use that is not essential for health, safety, and sanitary purposes is strictly prohibited,” concluded the city spokesperson. “Stage Five will remain in effect until you are notified otherwise.”

Van ISD also released a statement Jan. 4 through their school district FACEBOOK page regarding the city’s Stage 5 Drought Contingency Plan.

“Due to the City of Van’s Stage Five Water Restrictions and at the city’s request, Van ISD will close school Monday, Jan. 8 through Wednesday, Jan. 10.

“The Van Junior High Basketball Tournament and the Pee Wee Basketball games scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 6 have also been cancelled.

“Van ISD will continue to monitor the situation and share any updates through social media and the parent alert system.

“For more information regarding Stage 5 water use restrictions, please contact the City of Van Water Department at 903-963-7216.”