Lower Valley Water District
Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan
Effective
September 1, 1999
CONTENTS
Executive Summary
Purpose
Introduction
Drought Effects
Water Emergency Effects
Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan
Conservation Plan
Drought or Water Emergency Stages
Available Capacity Considerations and Demand Projection
Drought and Water Emergency Response Management
Initiation Procedures and Termination Notification
Definitions
Executive Summary
The Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan of the Lower Valley Water District (the District) is an integral part of the overall Water Resources Management Plan for the District and the El Paso area. Drought is a natural climatic condition which has occurred many times in the past and which will occur again. The purpose of this plan is to provide a management framework for dealing with drought. In addition, it may be used to manage water emergencies which result in temporary loss or reduction in service due to nonclimate related factors.
As El Paso becomes more dependent on the Rio Grande as a renewable water source, it becomes more vulnerable to a drought induced water shortage. In the event surface water deliveries are curtailed to treatment plants, water deliveries to customers may be curtailed. This plan provides an equitable management framework to deal with curtailed water deliveries.
The Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan is triggered by reductions in surface water allotment or by the inability to satisfy system water demand for any reason. The plan is triggered in stages based on allotment or when demand is projected to exceed supply. Each drought or water emergency stage is associated with a menu of response measures. Each successive stage from Stage I to Stage III represents an increasingly severe condition and includes an increasingly stringent list of response measures.
Although the General Manager of the District may ask for voluntary reduction in water consumption at any time, the Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan is enacted by the District’s Board of Directors since the legal framework for the Plan is established by Rule.
Purpose
The purpose of this Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan is as follows:
¨ to provide contingency plans to manage drought and emergency conditions.
¨ to continue to deliver a cost effective, adequate, safe and reliable supply of high quality water to our customers.
¨ to assist in implementing the Water Resources Management Plan (1991) which identifies the need to plan for periods of critical water shortages as a result of either drought or emergency interruption to available water supplies.
¨ to identify successful public information strategies which will motivate the community to reduce normal consumption to drought allowances.
¨ to evaluate water emergency and drought management practices in various cities around the United States and to recommend the best practices for use in the District.
¨ to identify critical points of change which would result in an acute or long term water outage city-wide or in selected areas and to establish preemptive stages to address the outage.
¨ to recommend a programmed response for each stage which would most effectively reduce water consumption to the available supply with the least adverse impact on the residents of the District.
¨ to comply with 30 T.A.C. §288 Drought Contingency Plan Requirements.
Introduction
Through the summer of 1996, a drought afflicted the middle south of the country for more than one year. Many cities in this area such as San Antonio, Austin, Santa Fe and others implemented extraordinary measures to restrict water consumption because they suffered immediate water supply problems due to the lack of rainfall. Please refer to the State Drought Conditions map - Appendix 1.
El Paso is in a different position. Our groundwater supplies are almost unaffected by precipitation. This can be expected by noting that the average annual rainfall is about 8" whereas the solar pan rate of evaporation is about 100" per year. Hence, we mine-ground water from the Hueco Bolson, albeit at a somewhat greater rate during times of drought. For the shallow wells in the Mesilla Bolson, the water pumped is replaced by the Rio Grande and agricultural drains and canals. Thus, the shallow groundwater may be unavailable or available in limited amounts during a sustained drought. Deep wells in the Mesilla Bolson are under similar conditions as those in the Hueco Bolson. The water is being mined and the amount of natural recharge is insignificant in comparison to the amount being withdrawn. In addition, the continual draw down by pumping in the Hueco Bolson is resulting in a steady loss of well capacity due to intrusion of brackish and saline groundwater. This is a long term problem which would be aggravated by a drought.
In the past ten years, El Paso has added about 12 MGD of well capacity in the Hueco Bolson and recently completed construction of a well project that will add another 4.5 MGD of capacity. However, during that same period, El Paso lost 22 MGD of well capacity in the Hueco Bolson due to intrusion of brackish water. The Hueco Bolson is at near full development and capacity will continue to decline in the future.
However, in order to preserve our groundwater supplies as much as possible, El Paso has been increasing our reliance on renewable surface water supplies from the Rio Grande.
During the period from 1986 through 1996, El Paso's water production has increased from 35.4 BG per year to 44.4 BG per year (projected). That increase in demand was met with 11.9 BG per year of additional surface water supplies. Groundwater withdrawals decreased 2.9 BG during the same time period.
As discussed, a drought has almost no effect on El Paso's groundwater supplies, although increased use of groundwater due to unavailability of surface water would affect the aquifers. However, a drought can have significant effects on El Paso's surface water supplies. Nearly all of the water in the Rio Grande originates as snowfall in the Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico Rocky Mountains. The rainfall in the Mesilla and El Paso Valleys of the Rio Grande Basin has no significant effect on available water supply. The Rio Grande is regulated by several dams and reservoirs for water storage. Consequently, a drought in any given year in the Rio Grande Basin (much below average winter snowfall), would have little effect on El Paso's water supply. Water storage reservoirs would continue to supply water as needed. However, a long term drought of two or more years duration would have a significant effect on El Paso's water supply. The surface water allotment available to El Paso Water Utilities for treatment would be curtailed. Consequently, water for the District would be curtailed. Historically, there have been significant long term droughts in the Rio Grande headwaters area. The most recent severe drought lasted from 1952 to 1957. However, reservoir levels did not completely recover from this drought until the 1970's. The area affected by this drought is shown in Appendix 2.
This District is unique in that its water will come from a Water Treatment Plant operated by the City of El Paso. Water for treatment is derived from irrigation rights assigned to the District and allotted to the treatment plant. The District is approximately 227.34 square mile (145,500 Acres) in size and is bounded between the El Paso city limits, the Hudsbeth County line and the Rio Grande. Presently there are an estimated 8800 water hook-ups with a projected 600 connections per year.
As the plant will only run during the irrigation season, the District must maintain adequate rights to treat twice the summer demand. The extra water will be utilized by the City of El Paso during the irrigation season and credited towards winter use to be supplied back to the District. Anytime the river is shut down or irrigation is restricted, it results in a cut-back of water treatment resulting in less water being available to the District for consumption. This may or may not be for an extended period of time (days versus weeks).
The rates charged for water will at all time be sufficient to pay for all treatment costs, debt service, billing, collection and costs for water source (irrigation rights).
Also, provided in the Contract are provisions that if any operational difficulties occur in the plant or in the Cities' distribution system during the winter months, it will immediately effect the water available to the District. Thus, when the City of El Paso places restrictions on their own customers, the customers of the District will also be subject to the same restrictions.
Mentioned previously, the District must maintain adequate water irrigation rights for its projected demands. If this is not accomplished, the District will impose its own restrictions to insure that the average consumption is equivalent to the water entitled to the District by the number of rights it possesses.
Drought Effects
In 1996, the allotment of 4 acre-feet per acre was above the recent five year average of 3.5 acre-feet per acre and significantly above the long term average of 2.5 acre-feet per acre. Prior to late winter 1996 snowfall in the Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico Rocky Mountains, the EPCWID #1 informed the District that the surface water allotment will be cut 25% in 1997 to 3 af/a. If the snowfall had not come in the winter of 1996, the allotment would have been cut further. This has the potential to severely limit surface water supplies which will have a major impact on available water supplies to the District customers.
Such a shortage cannot be met with groundwater pumping alone. The Hueco Bolson is fully developed. In fact, some of the Airport Field wells, drilled in 1989, are already unusable since they produce water that exceeds Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission (TNRCC) drinking water standards for chloride.
A better solution is improved simultaneous management of both bolsons to maximize the fresh water which can be recovered. As mentioned earlier, the District purchases its water from the El Paso Water Utilities. El Paso Water Utilities has recommended the following course of action: 1) increase blending of brackish water with fresh water to maximize use of brackish resources at minimal cost; 2) develop and implement a pumping schedule to help control lateral intrusion of brackish water; 3) the remaining fresh water in the downtown area of El Paso needs to be recovered while it is still possible; and, 4) a barrier injection system should be developed to control lateral intrusion of brackish water from the east and south.
El Paso Water Utilities is working toward such a solution starting with an improved Hueco Bolson model. However, such options are still years away from completion. In fact, the only real solution to the possibility of an extended drought within the next ten years is to ask El Pasoans to cut water usage and to mandate certain drought contingencies to insure that the limited supplies available will be equitably distributed and used for essential purposes.
Water Emergency Effects
A water emergency differs from a drought in duration and scope. A drought in the Rio Grande Basin will affect the entire region and will last for several months or years until snowpack and reservoir storage levels recover. A water emergency could affect only specific areas of the District and may last anywhere from hours to days.
A water emergency could arise from numerous potential problems. For example:
¨ Electric power failures or blackouts
¨ Water main breakage
¨ Contamination of the Rio Grande
¨ Abnormal high water demand
Each of these potential causes could result in reductions of water delivered to customers. A city-wide blackout would obviously affect the water supply to the entire District for the duration of the blackout. A main break would typically involve only a section of the District served by that main and would last until the main was repaired and returned to service. There are numerous other potential causes of water emergencies.
Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan
Basically, the plan as outlined in this document consists of strategies and a menu of response measures to be enacted in response to water shortages - either from drought or other emergencies. The plan would entail the enaction of response measures based on certain stages. The stages are based on two eventualities.
First, a water shortage may exist when the allotment of surface water from the Rio Grande Project is low. For the past five years the District has had an allotment of 4 acre-feet per acre; however, the long term historical average is 2.5 acre-feet per acre (3.5 acre-feet per acre over the last ten years). We can anticipate shortages to occur anytime the allotment- is less than or equal to 2.5 acre-feet per acre and critical shortages when the allotment is less than or equal to 2.0 acre-feet per acre.
Second, the District obviously can anticipate widespread water shortages to occur whenever system demand is in excess of 100% of the available capacity. In fact, serious shortages can occur in localized areas of the District any time the system demand is in excess of 85 % of the available capacity. This can occur regardless of the Rio Grande Project allotment and can be caused by system failures or power interruptions.
Conservation Plan
I. EDUCATION AND INFORMATION
The District will promote water conservation by informing the public of ways to conserve water. A series of activities will be established in the first year to ensure that citizens are aware of the water conservation program and that they receive written information. These activities will include:
1. An initial fact sheet, newsletter, or other correspondence explaining the new water conservation and drought contingency programs.
2. Publication of two articles or announcements on water conservation in a local newspaper.
3. Two mail-outs, bill stuffers, door hangers, door-to-door distributions or other direct distributions written water conservation material.
4. One other educational activity such as:
(a) direct distribution of material;
(b) a school education program
(c) printing water conservation tips on water bills at least quarterly
(d) a public speaking program for civic groups;
(e) or other activity that provides information directly to the public.
In subsequent years, at least one additional literature item will be mailed or distributed annually so that all customers receive water conservation material, and one article or announcement will be published in a local newspaper.
In addition, the District will provide information about the water conservation and drought contingency programs to all new customers when they apply for service.
Suggestions on additional methods to save water are listed below.
IN THE BATHROOM; several conservation concepts are:
1. The taking of showers instead of baths;
2. Installing low-flow shower heads which restrict flow but not pressure;
3. Installing a shut-off valve or physically turning off the water when shampooing or soaping;
4. Using cold water instead of hot water as much as possible. This saves water and energy at the same time.
5. Reducing the water level in the tub if a shower is not available or used;
6. Turning water off when brushing teeth, use a cup of water to rinse with;
7. When soaping and scrubbing hands, turn off the water. Use of a shut-off valve will further assist this procedure;
8. Shampooing hair in shower rather than as a separate operation;
9. When shaving, place hot water in basin rather than having it continually run;
10. Testing toilets for leaks by using a few drops of food coloring in the flush tank without flushing the toilet;
11. Placing a plastic container in the flush tank to reduce the volume water used each time of flushing. This method is not advised when low-volume toilets are used;
12. Installing aerators on the end of faucets to reduce consumption;
13. Not using the toilet as a waste container for cleansing tissues, cigarettes, or other trash;
14. When remodeling promote the use of water saving units
IN THE KITCHEN; various conservation concepts are:
1. Fill the water basin or a large pan of water for washing dishes;
2. Always fill a dishwasher to its capacity to save both water and detergent;
3. Use sink disposal or garbage grinders as little as possible;
4. Keep a jug of drinking water in the refrigerator and in a container in the kitchen to conserve energy as well as water;
5. Clean vegetables in a pan instead of under a stream of water;
6. Cook food in a pot with a small amount of water which will better keep vitamins and minerals in the food;
7. Use a pan of water for rinsing dishes instead of running the faucet;
8. Keep water conservation in mind helps save water over a year's time.
IN THE LAUNDRY; there are several ways to also save water:
1. In an automatic washer, wash only a full load;
2. Use the lowest water level setting when washing light loads;
3. Use cold water as often as possible.
FOR APPLIANCES AND PLUMBING; some water conservation suggestions are:
1. Check water requirements when purchasing new appliances that use water;
2. Check water lines for leaks.
3. Replace faucet washers to correct drips promptly.
4. To check for water leaks, turn off all indoor and outdoor faucets, then check the water meter. If the meter continues to run, a leak exists and should be located.
5. Insulating hot water pipes avoids wasting water while waiting for the water to get hot. This also eliminates loss of heat from pipes and saves energy.
6. Do not set the thermostat on the hot water heater higher than necessary.
7. Using a moisture meter for plants helps determine when to water.
OUTDOOR WATER CONSERVATION; some tips for outside implementation:
1. Water lawns early in the morning during the hotter months to save evaporation.
2. To avoid evaporation, use a sprinkler that produces large drops of water.
3. Use soaker hoses with holes to the ground.
4. Water slowly and never on windy days.
5. Sweep the streets and driveways instead of washing with water.
6. Using compost before planting will condition the soil so the water will soak in better.
7. Fertilize lawns at least twice a year. Grasses with good root system will use less water.
8. Only water the lawn when it has turned a dull grey-green or when footprints remain visible.
9. Do not water lawns too frequently. This can cause plant diseases.
10. Do not over-water. Soil can absorb -only so much moisture. An inch and one-half of water once a week will be enough for most Texas lawns.
11. If an automatic sprinkler system is used, set when the demand on the town's water supply is lowest. Example: Between 4 and 8 a.m. or 6 and 10 p.m.
12. Trim only 1/2 to 3/4 inch off grass. Taller grass holds the moisture better.
13. Hand water in small areas of the lawn that need more frequent watering (areas near walks or driveways, etc.).
14. Use the types of grass, shrubbery and plants that do best with the least amount of water.
15. Use rocks, gravel, wood chips and other materials that require no water at all.
16. When washing the car, use a bucket of soapy water and the hose only for rinsing.
II. PLUMBING CODES
Being a District of 5,000 population or more, it will be necessary to promote the adoption of water saving plumbing codes for new construction and for replacement of plumbing in existing structures. The standards for residential and commercial fixtures will be:
Tank-type Toilets - No more than 1.6 gallons per flush
Flush Valve Toilets - No more than 2.0 gallons per flush
Tank-type Urinals - No more than 2.0 gallons per flush
Flush Valve Urinals - No more than 1.0 gallon per minute
Shower Heads - No mare than 2.75 gallons per minute Lavatory Lavatory and Kitchen Faucets - No more than 2.2 gallons per minute
All hot water lines - Insulated
Swimming Pools - New pools must have recirculating filtration
equipment
These standards for residential and commercial fixtures represent readily available products and technology and do not involve additional costs when compared to "standard" fixtures. For example, conventional toilets are available at prices ranging from $50.00 to $200.00 each. Insulated hot water lines decrease water consumption by reducing the time it takes hot water to get to the tap. New swimming pools containing recirculating filtration and disinfection equipment will eliminate the need to fill and drain the pool daily.
The District has adopted the Uniform Plumbing code (UPC), a section of the codes written by the International Association of the Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. The UPC will be amended to include water conservation standards and updated periodically.
III. RETROFIT PROGRAMS
The District will make information available through its education program for plumbers and customers to use conservation types of equipment when purchasing and installing plumbing fixtures, lawn watering equipment, or water using appliances. Information regarding retrofit devices such as low-flow shower heads or toilet dams that reduce water use by replacing or modifying existing fixtures or appliances will be provided. The District may wish to provide certain devices (toilet dams, low-flow shower heads, faucet aerators, etc.) free or at a reduced cost to their customers. This will be decided by the Board of Directors.
IV. WATER RATE STRUCTURES
The District has adopted a conservation-oriented water rate structure. The rate structure for residential customers is in the form of an increasing block rate, although peak or seasonal load rates, excess use fees, and other rate forms can be used. The increasing block rate structure is the most commonly used water conservation rate structure. Separate rate structures have been established for commercial customers and bulk-water haulers.
V. UNIVERSAL METERING
All water users, including the utility, towns and other public facilities will be metered. The utility will have six (6) master meters. For new multi-family dwellings that are easily metered individually (such as duplexes and fourplexes) or apartments with more than five living units or apartments, each living unit will be metered separately. A regularly scheduled maintenance program of meter repair and replacement will be established on a routine annual basis:
1. Production (master) meters - test once a year;
2. Meters larger than 1" test once a year; and
3. Meters 1" or smaller test or replace every 10 years.
Metering will provide an accurate accounting of water uses throughout the system when both the utility and customers are metered. The District will be able to identify and bill previously unbilled users which will generate additional revenues. Metering and meter repair and replacement, along with an annual water accounting or auditing, will be used in conjunction with other programs such as leak detection and repair, again saving significant quantities of water.
VI. WATER CONSERVING LANDSCAPING
Annual in-home water use accounts for an average of 65 percent of total residential use with the remaining 35 percent being used for exterior residential purposes such as watering the lawn and washing the car. During the summer months, as much as 50 percent of the water used in urban areas is applied to lawns and gardens and adds greatly to the peak demands experienced by most water utilities. To reduce the demands placed on a water system, by landscaping watering, the District will consider methods to encourage water conservation. Some methods to be considered are:
1. Enforcing platting regulations established by the City of Socorro and El Paso County for new subdivisions that require developers, contractors, or homeowners to use only adapted, low water using plants or grasses for landscaping new homes.
2. Initiating Xeriscape or Texscape programs that demonstrate the use of adapted, low water using plants and grasses.
3. Encouraging or requiring landscape architects to use adapted, low water using plants and grasses and efficient irrigation systems in preparing all site and facility plans.
4. Encouraging or requiring licensed irrigation contractors to always use drip irrigation systems when possible and to design all irrigation systems with water conservation features, such as sprinklers that emit large drops rather than a fine mist and a sprinkler layout that accommodates prevailing wind direction.
5. Encouraging or requiring commercial establishments to use drip irrigation for landscape watering when possible and to install only ornamental fountains that recycle and use the minimum.amount of water; and
6. Encouraging or requiring nurseries and local businesses to offer adapted, low water using plants and grasses and efficient landscape watering devices, such as drip irrigation systems.
VII. LEAK DETECTION AND REPAIR:
A continuous leak detection, location, and repair programs will be part of the District's water conservation plan.
An annual water accounting or audit will be part of this program. Sources of unaccounted for water include defective hydrants, abandoned services, unmetered water used for fire fighting or other municipal uses, inaccurate or leaking meters, illegal hook-ups, unauthorized use of fire hydrants, and leaks in mains and services. Once located, corrective repairs or actions will be undertaken. An effective leak detection, location, and repair program will usually pay for itself and will be incorporated into the record keeping of the District.
VIII. RECYCLING AND REUSE
Some cities in Texas now provide treated municipal effluent to industries and irrigation projects in their areas to use for cooling purposes or irrigation. This will be considered where and when the sewage is treated at a different location and the District maintains the plant.
IX. IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
In adopting a water conservation program, the District will have the authority and means to implement and enforce the provisions of the program in order to achieve the goal of conserving water. The District will provide enforcement by utility personnel, local police or special employees hired to administer and enforce the program. The water conservation plan will include a description of the means to implement and enforce the program and will annually report on the effectiveness of the program.
For the present, the General Manager, Chief of Finance and Engineers will monitor the use of water by its customers to determine if quantities are out of the ordinary for the type of operation being performed. As the District acquires additional personnel, consideration will be given to this task being performed routinely with delegated persons.
X. ANNUAL REPORTING
The District will file an Annual Report with the Executive Administrator of the Texas Water Development Board within sixty days after the anniversary date of the loan closing. The report will include: public information which has been issued; public response; effectiveness of the water conservation plan in reducing water use; and, implementation progress and status of the District's water conservation program.
XI. CONTRACTS WITH OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS
All future contracts with the El Paso Water Utilities or other political subdivisions will contain the requirments of adopting the District’s Conservation and Drought Contingency Plans or have their own plans as approved by the Texas Water Development Board.
Drought or Water Emergency Stages
The onset of drought or the anticipated onset of drought or emergency conditions and the management techniques depend on the severity of the water emergency.
STAGE I: A surface water allotment of less than or equal to 3.0 af/a; or, when demand is projected to exceed 90% (but less than 95%) of Available Capacity.
STAGE II: A surface water allotment of less than or equal to 2.5 af/a; or, when demand is projected to exceed 95% (but less than 100%) of Available Capacity.
STAGE III: A surface water allotment of less than or equal to 2.0 af/a; or, when demand is projected to exceed 100% of Available Capacity.
Note, for all three stages, the surface water allotment is based on all available water rights.
WATER EMERGENCY: A water system failure due to weather, electrical or mechanical failure or contamination of source.
Available Capacity Considerations and Demand Projection
The sources of potable water available to El Paso include the Rio Grande and the Hueco and Mesilla Bolson aquifers. At any drought stage, or even before an anticipated drought, the General Manager of the El Paso Water Utilities Public Service Board is authorized to augment available water supplies by any means available within budgetary and time constraints.
Water supply augmentation includes utilization of the Canutillo Shallow Wells either directly into the distribution system or indirectly via the Rio Grande channel to the Canal Water Treatment Plant for treatment and distribution. Supply augmentation includes seeking variances as needed from the TNRCC to use groundwater supplies which do not meet maximum contaminant levels (primary or secondary) for sulfate, chloride, iron, manganese and/or total dissolved solids. Such waters may be used as necessary to meet demands subject to TNRCC approval. However, the capacity of the distribution system to move water from these sources uniformly throughout the city is limited. Some areas of town may not have access to such emergency groundwater supplies. A list of emergency groundwater sources is included as Appendix 3.
Projected demand histogram was developed from historical data corrected for population growth and water conservation. This histogram will be used to project the water system demand for any given month for peak and average conditions. Please refer to Appendix 4.
Drought and Water Emergency Response Management
Specific drought and water emergency management responses are listed according to stage. Stages are dependant on the ability of the District to foresee points which would affect water allotments or water availability. Such restrictions apply only to the use of potable water. After implementation of the Drought and Water Emergency Response Plan, the General Manager is authorized to request implementation of any or all of the following:
STAGE I: 1 . A voluntary reduction goal of 50% in landscape plant irrigation water use.
2. Fund raiser car washes are prohibited.
3. Swimming pool filling is prohibited. Swimming pools must be covered when not in use.
4. Restaurants shall not serve water unless requested.
5. Water used for aesthetic purposes is prohibited.
6. Impervious surface cleaning with water shall be prohibited except where conducted by order of the City-County Health and Environmental District or the Police and/or Fire Department.
7. Increase public education by news releases and T.V. spots.
8. Request voluntary compliance with all drought management response measures from all other area water purveyors.
4. The following Lower Valley Water District job classifications are hereby authorized to issue citations for violations of the Water Conservation Ordinance: Industrial Pretreatment Inspectors, Customer Service Workers, Customer Service Inspectors. Other job classifications may be added to the list as necessary.
STAGE II: All Stage I drought management response options shall remain in effect.
In addition, the following options shall be in effect:
1. No new landscape plants shall be installed or planted and no new landscaping permits will be issued except for Xeriscapes which are drip irrigated using a permanent system.
2. No outdoor residential (single family, duplex, triplex or apartment complex) landscape watering except on Saturdays (even address) and Sundays (odd address) during watering hours - before 9:00 a.m. and after 7:00 p.m.
3. Fleet car and truck washing shall be discontinued unless conducted by order of the City-County Health and Environmental District or the Police and/or Fire Department.
4. All street sweeping shall be discontinued except that performed with reclaimed water or brackish water supplied to the district by the El Paso Water Utilities.
5. Routine fire hydrant flushing and testing shall be curtailed.
6. All Water Conservation Ordinance variances are automatically suspended.
7. City and County parks and all schools supplied by the District shall discontinue irrigation of non-play areas.
8. After the first violation of the Water Conservation Ordinance, the General Manager, at his discretion may order the installation of a restriction device, a downsizing of the water meter.
9. A new fee for excess consumption shall be implemented.
10. Industries are requested to voluntarily decrease water consumption by 25%.
11. All evaporative cooler bleed-off lines shall be disconnected.
STAGE III: All Stage I and II drought management response options shall remain in effect. In addition, the following options shall be in effect:
1. All landscape irrigation is prohibited except when performed with a bucket or permanent drip irrigation system or where reclaimed water is used. No turf irrigation shall be permitted except where irrigated with reclaimed water.
2. All car, trailer, truck or boat washing is prohibited except in facilities certified by the District and displaying approved signage.
3. All water use for construction, dust control and/or compaction is prohibited except where reclaimed water or brackish water is used.
4. No new customers shall be approved for connection to the water system.
5. A new fee for reconnection of services disconnected for non compliance shall be enacted.
Any of the above measures may be implemented as warranted.
WATER EMERGENCY:
Note, any combination of management response options may be used district-wide or in any section of the District has circumstances demand. Also, none of these measures will affect public safety, hospitals, evaporative air conditioning and sanitary uses.
VARIANCES: Customer specific variances may be granted in cases of hardship or special conditions. After recommendation by the General Manager, a review board will consider hardship or special cases to determine whether a particular circumstance warrents a variance. A variance shall be granted only for reasons of severe economic hardship, medical hardship or for a legitimate public health concern. A fee of twenty-five dollars shall be assessed per application to defray administrative costs. The fee may be waived upon the execution of an affidavit stating that applicant for variance is unable to pay the fee.
ENFORCEMENT: Any person violating any provisions of this plan shall be deemed guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed two thousand dollars per violation. Any water and sewerage inspector or other personnel authorized to issue Class C misdemeanor citations is authorized to issue citations for violations of this plan.
Initiation Procedures and Termination Notification
The General Manager of the District shall report the nature and severity of the drought or water emergency condition to the District’s Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors find that a drought or water emergency condition exists, the Board shall recommend that the respective Mayor of the respective entity declare a drought or water emergency and impose the measures provided in this Plan to protect the District’s water supply. The District shall be charged with all public notification and education activities related to the drought or water emergency and the restrictions imposed upon water users to conserve water. The district shall continually monitor the drought or water emergency condition and promptly recommend that the declaration be rescinded or modified as warranted by changing conditions.
In the event of a sudden emergency, the General Manager of the District or a Board member may contact the respective Mayor and request emergency action by the Mayor. The Board of Directors or General Manager may also request cooperation from citizens to immediatley address a water emergency.
The General Manager of the District shall notify the Executive Director of the TNRCC within five days following implementation of any mandatory water use restiction.
Definitions
The following definitions are specific to this drought management plan. Some other terms may be defined in the Rules and Regulations of the Public Service Board.
Available Capacity The projected firm capacity of the system to deliver water based on the number of wells in service, water treatment plant production capacity and available river supplies, in service booster pumping capacity, equipment outages and other factors. The capacity in MGD shall be projected by the Water Systems Division Manager.
Aesthetic Use The use of water for fountains, waterfalls, golf course water hazards and landscape lakes and ponds where such use is predominately ornamental and serves no other purpose.
Bucket A container holding five gallons or less used singly by one person.
Drip Irrigation A water saving irrigation system using drip emitters, porous pipe, or similar means.
Fleet A group of motor vehicles, fifteen or more in number under the ownership or control of one person, corporation or partnership.
Landscaping Plant Any member of the kingdom Plantae, including any tree, shrub, vine, herb, flower, succulent, ground cover or grass species that grows or has been planted out-of-doors.
Existing A landscaping plant existing in an area after such period of time as to Landscaping Plant accomplish an establishment and maintenance of growth.
Impervious Surface Any structure or any street, driveway, sidewalk, patio or other Surface
Area area covered with brick, paving, tile, concrete or other impervious material.
New Landscaping Any landscaping plant planted in or transplanted to an area after a
Plant Drought or Water Emergency is declared.
Swimming Pool Any structure, basin, chamber or tank, including hot tubs, containing water for swimming, diving or recreational bathing and having a depth of two feet or more at any point.
Landscape The application of water to grow new or existing landscaping plants.
Watering