With Greenbelt Lake at a dangerously low 9% capacity, the City of Childress has officially entered Stage 4 of its Drought Contingency Plan, triggering serious water restrictions and a plea from city officials for residents to drastically cut back on water use.
Under the Stage 4 designation, all non-essential water usage is now strictly prohibited. This includes watering lawns, maintaining flower beds, using decorative ponds or fountains, and other non-critical activities. The goal is to reduce water consumption by 40% across the community to preserve what little remains.
“I understand that everybody loves to have a green lawn and beautiful flowers,” said Childress Mayor Cary Preston. “I’m sure there are plants out there that maybe someone in their family has planted and that is special to them—I get that. But if we don’t conserve water, we will not have water.”
Greenbelt Lake, a major source of water for the area, has been steadily declining over the years due to ongoing drought conditions. Without significant rainfall or conservation efforts, officials warn the lake could be completely dry by the end of the year.
In response to the crisis, the Greenbelt Water Authority has begun the process of drilling five new water wells, though that project is expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete. In the meantime, city officials stress that immediate action is required from residents.
“If we don’t start conserving now, we could be facing a situation where there’s simply no water left for essential needs,” Preston said. “We have to work together as a community to get through this.”
To enforce the new water restrictions, the Childress Police Department has been authorized to issue citations to individuals who violate the rules of the Drought Contingency Plan.
While long-term solutions are in progress, the city is urging every household and business to take steps today—fixing leaks, reducing indoor water use, and staying mindful of every drop.
“There’s this tendency to think it’s not quite as bad as it sounds,” Preston said. “But a year from now, we’ll look back and realize how close we came to running dry. The time to act is now.”
City leaders continue to work closely with the Greenbelt Water Authority to secure alternative sources and preserve what little water remains—for drinking, sanitation, and basic needs.
