Keep conservation in mind

It’s easy to forget — especially while Tropical Storm Bill’s floodwaters have yet to recede — that this time last year Tarrant County and much of the state were in the throes of a drought.

As late as December, the Fort Worth City Council was briefed on the possibility of toughening water restrictions in the event Mother Nature continued to withhold rain.

The unusually wet spring not only eliminated the threat of tougher rules, it brought an end to Stage 1 drought restrictions from the Tarrant Regional Water District, as local lakes and reservoirs rose to capacity.

In the city of Fort Worth, water customers are still subject to watering restrictions, thanks to a twice-a-week watering policy made permanent by the City Council in April 2014.

Such rules may seem silly now, when water is abundant, but long-term conservation policy is wise, especially in times of plenty.

This story was originally published June 18, 2015 at 5:55 PM with the headline "Keep conservation in mind."