HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-25-19-2h - Resolution - 04/25/2019
RESOLUTION NO. 04-25-19-2h
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION,
TEXAS, APPROVING UPDATES TO THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION’S WATER
CONSERVATION PLAN AS REQUIRED BY THE TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE (30
TAC 288).
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of College Station, Texas, last adopted updated Water
Conservation Plans on October 23, 2008 and April 24, 2014; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of College Station, Texas desires to maintain a Water
Conservation Plan (“Plan”) as evidence of its commitment to providing its customers with a
reliable and safe water supply; and
WHEREAS, the City shall update the Plan as appropriate based on an assessment of previous
five and ten year targets and any other new or updated information to keep the Plan current;
and
WHEREAS, the Plan meets the requirements of TCEQ and Texas Administrative Code, Title
30 Part 1 Chapter 288 in regard to its content and water conservation goals; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE C ITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION,
TEXAS:
PART 1: That the Utility Profile of the Water Conservation Plan is updated to reflect
current population figures, water production, and wastewater treatment
capacities.
PART 2: That the City Council hereby adopts the May 2019 Water Conservation Plan as
set forth in Exhibit “A” which is attached to this Resolution.
PART 3: That this Resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage.
ADOPTED this 25th day of April, 2019.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
______________________________ _________________________________
City Secretary MAYOR
APPROVED:
______________________________
City Attorney
Water Conservation Plan
May 2019
Public Water Supply Identification Number: 0210002
Brazos County
Gary Mechler, Water Services Director
P.O. Box 9960
1601 Graham Road
College Station, TX 77842
979-764-3660
http://www.cstx.gov/water
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 1
SECTION 2. UTILITY PROFILE ......................................................................................................................... 1
SECTION 3. WATER CONSERVATION GOALS ........................................................................................... 2
SECTION 4. UNIVERSAL METERING, METER TESTING, AND REPLACEMENT ........................... 3
SECTION 5. WATER LOSS CONTROL MEASURES .................................................................................... 3
SECTION 6. LEAK DETECTION AND REPAIR ............................................................................................ 4
SECTION 7. PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION ........................................................................ 4
SECTION 8. NON-PROMOTIONAL WATER RATE STRUCTURE........................................................... 4
SECTION 9. WHOLESALE WATER SUPPLY CONTRACTS ...................................................................... 5
SECTION 10. ADDITIONAL WATER CONSERVATION STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE WATER
CONSERVATION GOALS ..................................................................................................................................... 5
SECTION 11. METHOD FOR TRACKING EFFECTIVENESS OF WATER CONSERVATION PLAN
...................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
SECTION 12. MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT ................................................ 8
SECTION 13. COORDINATION .......................................................................................................................... 8
APPENDIX A: Resolution of the College Station City Council adopting Water Conservation
Plan ............................................................................................................................................................................. 9
APPENDIX B: Transmittal Letter to Brazos Region G Regional Water Planning Group ......... 10
APPENDIX C: Transmittal Letter to Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District ....... 11
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City of College Station Water Conservation Plan Page 1 of 9
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION
In accordance with the requirements of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the
City of College Station (the City) has updated its water conservation plan for adoption as a City
resolution. The resolution of the City Council adopting the Water Conservation Plan shall authorize the
City to implement, enforce, and administer the program.
SECTION 2. UTILITY PROFILE
Population and customer data
The City of College Station Water Services Department manages a water service area covering 47 square
miles and a water service population of over 90,000 customers and nearly 40,000 water connections. It
should be noted that some residents within College Station City limits are served by Wellborn Special
Utility District. Additionally, Texas A&M University maintains its own separate water system, serving the
on-campus population of students and staff. Figures given for population served by College Station
Water Services do not include Wellborn or Texas A&M customers.
Water Production and Delivery System
The City utilizes ground water for its public water supply and since 1980 College Station has developed
its own water production facilities. The City has eleven groundwater wells, ten of which withdraw
groundwater from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, and one in the Sparta Aquifer. The City’s wellfield is
located northwest of Bryan in the vicinity of Sandy Point Road near Old San Antonio Road. The
Simsboro Sand formation of the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer occurs approximately 3,000 feet below the land
surface. This water rises through artesian pressure to 500 feet below the land surface. This groundwater
is approximately 118° F before being cooled to 85°through cooling towers located at the Sandy Point
Pump Station. The water is then pumped through two parallel water transmission lines to the Dowling
Road Pump Station in College Station. Here the water is treated to meet Safe Drinking Water Act
standards before being pumped to storage and distribution facilities. The City’s water distribution
system includes 450 miles of water lines, two ground storage reservoirs and two elevated storage tanks,
providing a total storage capacity of 13 million gallons.
Wastewater Collection and Treatment System
Raw wastewater in College Station travels through a network of 370 miles of wastewater collection lines
to one of three wastewater treatment plants: Carter's Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, Lick Creek
Wastewater Treatment Plant, and Carter Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant. These three wastewater
treatment plants and numerous lift stations serve a population of over 85,000 people, with an average
daily discharge of 6 to 7 million gallons per day (MGD) and maximum daily wastewater treatment
capacity of 11.5 MGD.
Water use data
Table 1 below summarizes key water use statistics for 2014-2018. Average per person usage is given in
gallons per capita per day (gpcd). Average and peak daily water demand are given in million gallons per
day (MGD). The peak day to average day ratio varies between 1.8 and 2.1, meaning that peak day
demand is nearly twice the average demand.
The peak demand for the City is 26.2 MGD, reached in 2013, followed closely by a peak day of 25.8 MGD
in 2015. During high demand periods when large volumes of water are being pumped from the aquifer,
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the production capacity of the wells is reduced due to declining water levels of the aquifer. The City’s
water production and pumping system capacity is currently 30 MGD.
Table 1. Municipal Water Demand 2014 – 2018
Year 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 5-Year Avg.
Peak GPCD1 193 251 211 199 235 218
Annual Average GPCD2 135 139 136 138 135 137
Peak Day (MGD) 21.162 25.834 23.249 23.072 22.925 23.248
Average Day (MGD) 11.8060 12.423 12.389 12.633 12.228 12.222
Peaking Factor 1.79 2.08 1.88 1.83 1.87 1.902
1. Peak GPCD = (Total Gallons Used in Peak Month ÷ Permanent Population) ÷ Days in Month
2. Annual Average GPCD = (Total Gallons in System ÷ Permanent Population) ÷ 365
SECTION 3. WATER CONSERVATION GOALS
The purpose of this water conservation plan is to reduce long-term demand on limited water resources
by encouraging more efficient water use practices in College Station. Its primary goals are to reduce
peak seasonal water demand and reduce the peaking factor on the water production and delivery
system. Peaking factor is defined as the ratio between peak daily water use and average daily water
use. A peaking factor of 1.5 or more shows potential for significant water conservation savings,
particularly in seasonal water use.
Quantified Five (5) and Ten (10) Year Water Conservation Targets and Goals
Goal 1: Reduce peak daily water demand
Goal 2: Reduce peaking factor to 1.7 or below
TCEQ rules require the City build capacity to meet escalating peak daily demands, which, as discussed in
Section 1, can be up to twice the average demand. This capacity is expensive to build and maintain,
particularly when this peak demand is only reached a few days per year. Reducing peak demands
enables the City to defer new capital expenditures for production facilities, and optimize use of available
water resources.
The City aims to reduce peak demand through two methods: programs targeted at reducing peak per
capita demand, and programs aimed at reducing the peaking factor. Table 2 outlines projected targets
for reducing per capita demand and peaking factor. The Texas Water Conservation Advisory Council and
Texas Water Development Board recommend that municipalities set goals of reducing per capita
consumption by 1% per year.
Table 2. Municipal per capita water use goals
Year 2018 2023 2028
Peak GPCD 235 225 220
Annual Average GPCD 147 140 135
Peaking Factor 1.8 1.7 1.4
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Goal 3: Reduce Non-Revenue Water
The goal of the City’s water loss control program is to gradually reduce the percentage of Non-Revenue
Water (defined as unbilled authorized plus unbilled unauthorized usage) from the baseline of 7.6 % of
water produced, on an annual basis. In order to meet this goal, the City has several programs in place,
including routine water audits, a program of leak detection and repair, and a meter testing and
replacement program. These are described in the following section.
Table 3: Water Loss Goals
Five Year Average 5-yr Goal (2023) 10-yr Goal (2028)
Water Loss (GPCD)1 10 9 8
Water Loss (Percentage)2 7.6% 6% 5%
1. Water Loss GPCD = (Total Water Loss ÷ Permanent Population) ÷ 365
2. Water Loss Percentage = (Total Water Loss ÷ Total Gallons in System) x 100
Time frame for achieving conservation goals
The three goals outlined above are designed to be achieved within five to ten years of the date of
adoption of this Plan. The City will periodically evaluate the plan in accordance with State and Federal
regulations to determine the extent, if any, that the plan needs modification.
SECTION 4. UNIVERSAL METERING, METER TESTING, AND
REPLACEMENT
The ability to meter all water distribution and consumption uses allows the City to closely monitor actual
water use, water losses, and prevent unauthorized use. All service connections in the City are metered.
All production wells, pumping stations, interconnections, irrigation, swimming pools, parks, and
municipal structures operated by the City are metered.
Master meters at water production pump stations are calibrated and tested annually in accordance with
American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards to provide a minimum accuracy of plus or minus
1.5 percent.
The City will continue to provide a preventive maintenance program for its water meters, wherein
regular scheduled testing, repairs, and replacement are performed in accordance with American Water
Works Association (AWWA) standards. After approximately seven years of usage, mechanical wear on
traditional water meters causes them to under-report water usage due to parts rotating slower,
resulting in lost revenue. In recent years the City has begun replacing old-style mechanical water meters
with digital water meters having no moving parts, a twenty-year warranty, and capability to be
retrofitted to Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI). This results in much more accurate meter
readings and the ability to provide customers with detailed water usage data on request.
SECTION 5. WATER LOSS CONTROL MEASURES
The Water Services Department generates a monthly water loss report that compares metered
production with billed metered consumption, as well as unbilled authorized consumption. This report
provides an effective tracking system of water loss. The City also completes a detailed water system
audit following Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) guidelines annually. The water system audit
determines the volume of actual water loss, the identification of water loss sources, the status and
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condition of primary water meters, an analysis of water line breaks, an evaluation of underground
leakage potential, and provides recommendations for meter replacement.
SECTION 6. LEAK DETECTION AND REPAIR
The City administers a leak detection and repair program for its water distribution system. This program
features a work order prioritization system for leaks needing repair and an inventory of equipment and
materials needed to promptly repair all detected or reported leaks. The City’s annual rehabilitation
program to upgrade its water distribution system also addresses high volume leaks. The City also
conducts an annual distribution system rehabilitation program that replaces the high water loss sections
of the distribution system. This program is based on findings of monthly water loss reports and the leak
detection program.
SECTION 7. PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
Water Services’ public education program makes direct outreach to customers through presentations,
booths at community fairs, and tours of its water and wastewater facilities. Indirect contacts include
utility bill inserts, blog posts, social media, radio and television, and similar programs. The City promotes
water conservation issues by informing the public in the following ways:
Offering water conservation audits to all water customers
Providing water conservation information to all customers upon request
Coordinating educational presentations, lectures, and demonstrations for schools, civic groups,
and the general public
Publishing water conservation information on a regular basis in the City’s utility bill insert or
other written form
Participating in community environmental education activities with the City of Bryan, Brazos
Valley Groundwater Conservation District, Brazos County Master Gardeners, and other local
organizations to promote water conservation education
Supporting annual events and demonstrations relating to water conservation and
environmental issues that affect water supply and quality
Promoting the latest innovations in water conservation through partnerships with Texas Water
Development Board’s Water IQ program and EPA’s Water Sense program.
SECTION 8. NON-PROMOTIONAL WATER RATE STRUCTURE
The City utilizes an inclining water rate structure to encourage customers to reduce both peak and
overall water usage, while fairly allocating cost of service to each customer class. Under an inclining rate
structure, the rate per thousand gallons increases as the amount of water used increases. The City first
implemented this inclining water rate structure in Fiscal Year 2008. The rate structure in place as of the
date of this Plan charges monthly service charges based on meter size, plus a uniform rate per thousand
(1,000) gallons up to 10,000 gallons for single-family residential water customers. After 10,000 gallons,
the rate per thousand increases per thousand gallons for the next four usage blocks, up to 26,000
gallons, as detailed in Table 4 below (Resolution 09-27-18e, adopted 9/27/2018).
Commercial rate structure charges monthly service charges based on meter size, plus a varying
volumetric rate usage rate per thousand (1000) gallons for domestic or irrigation usage. (Resolution 09-
27-18e, adopted 9/27/2018).
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Table 4. FY 2019 Water Rates
Customer Class Monthly Usage Rate per 1,000 Gallons
Single-Family Residential 0 – 10,000 $2.40
11,000 - 15,000 $3.12
16,000 - 20,000 $3.83
21,000 - 25,000 $4.54
26,000- above $5.26
Meter Fee $10.80
Commercial – Domestic Domestic (inside) usage $2.64
Commercial – Irrigation Irrigation (outside) usage $2.84
Meter Fee Varies by meter size
This rate structure shall be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the rates adequately recover the
cost of service and meet the goals of this water conservation plan.
SECTION 9. WHOLESALE WATER SUPPLY CONTRACTS
The City will, as part of contracts for sale of water to any other entity re-selling water, require that entity
to adopt applicable provisions of the City's water conservation and drought contingency plan or have a
plan in effect previously adopted and meeting the basic requirements of 30 TAC §288. These provisions
will be through contractual agreement prior to the sale of any water to the water re-seller.
SECTION 10. ADDITIONAL WATER CONSERVATION STRATEGIES TO
ACHIEVE WATER CONSERVATION GOALS
This section describes Best Management Practices developed by the Texas Water Development Board’s
Water Conservation Advisory Council and adopted by the City as a means of achieving specified water
conservation goals.
Conservation Coordinator
A Conservation Coordinator is the individual charged with responsibility for preparing and implementing
the utility’s water conservation and drought contingency plans, preparing and submitting annual
conservation status reports, promoting water conservation programs, and other duties necessary to
carry out implementation of the utility’s conservation program. As of September 1, 2017, this position is
required for retail public water utilities, such as the City of College Station, with 3,300 or more service
connections. The Water Resource Coordinator fulfills this function for the City.
Landscape Irrigation Conservation and Incentives
The City provides information to residential and non-residential customers regarding the methods and
benefits of water conserving landscaping practices and devices, through public education to
homeowners, business owners, landscape architects and designers, and irrigation professionals. The
use of water-efficient landscaping techniques, including drought tolerant plants and grasses is
encouraged for landscaping new homes and commercial areas.
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The City has a commercial landscape ordinance that requires certain point values based on the size and
type of development. Additional point credits are given to commercial landscapes that employ water-
efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation systems when possible or other water conserving
irrigation systems that utilize efficient sprinklers.
The City’s landscape irrigation ordinance was updated in December 2008 to comply with state law
requiring that landscape irrigation systems are designed, installed, and operated in a water conserving
manner. Under this ordinance, a permit and an irrigation plan drawn to scale are required for all
irrigation systems. The irrigation plan must be drawn up by a licensed irrigator, and include location &
type of sensors, backflow prevention devices, and water emission devices (sprinklers), irrigation
controller(s), and valves. A rain shutoff sensor is required, and all emission devices must be installed
according to manufacturer’s specifications for spacing and pressure. The effect of this ordinance is that
new irrigation systems in College Station are designed and installed to operate much more efficiently
than older systems, and procedures are in place to prevent water waste.
The City also works with area landscape supply businesses and nurseries to encourage them to sell
locally adapted, drought tolerant plants and grasses along with efficient irrigation systems, and to
promote use of these materials through demonstrations and advertisements.
The City partners with the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District (BVGCD) and Texas A&M
Agri-Life to implement innovative methods to promote landscape water conservation. Through a
system of a weather station and rain gauges located throughout the City, customers are able to access
weather-based landscape watering recommendations localized for their neighborhood. Customers can
also receive weekly weather-based landscape watering recommendations via email. The website and
watering recommendations have shown significant savings for College Station since implementation in
2014.
Residential Landscape Irrigation Evaluations
Summertime average water use in College Station is typically twice as high as annual average water use.
That increase is primarily due to outdoor irrigation. Irrigation water is easily wasted due to
overwatering, leaks and broken or misaligned sprinklers.
The City of College Station Water Services Department has partnered with Texas A&M Agri-Life Research
for several years to study the effectiveness of residential water conservation methods. Each year
residential water customers with above average seasonal water use receive a letter containing water
budgets comparing their estimated outdoor water use against an estimated landscape need, as well as
comparing their household water use with neighborhood average household water use. Customers with
above-average seasonal water use are encouraged to sign up for a free landscsape irrigation evaluation.
Landscape irrigation evaluations are offered to residential customers with automatic in-ground irrigation
systems to educate customers about proper irrigation and eliminate wasteful irrigation practices. While
this service is available to all water customers, the program is targeted to water customers with above-
average seasonal water use and customers with high bill complaints. The program is advertised through
utility bill inserts, social media, as well as direct letters to high water use customers.
To date nearly 900 irrigation evaluations have been completed. A Licensed Irrigator conducts the
evaluation, which includes a system checkup, an efficiency check, a recommended irrigation schedule,
and a written report of all problems observed. The City has also provided homeowner associations
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within high water use neighborhoods with articles regarding the program for publication in newsletters,
and given presentations regarding program specifics, such as procedures and goals.
Plumbing Code and Plumbing Fixture Retrofit Program
The City has adopted the International Plumbing Code, which requires water saving, Ultra Low Flow
(ULF) fixtures to be installed in new construction and in the replacement of plumbing in existing
structures. The City educates residents, plumbers, and contractors on the benefits of retrofitting existing
facilities with water saving devices through its public education program.
The City offers rebates toward the replacement of high-flow toilets with qualifying WaterSense toilets in
residential and commercial structures built prior to 1994. This program is available to residential and
commercial customers, for new construction as well as retrofits. Since 2010, 695 commercial and multi-
family toilets have been replaced, along with 227 single-family residential toilets, saving over 6 million
gallons of water and wastewater.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is an effective method of reducing potable water usage while maintaining healthy
landscapes and avoiding problems due to excessive run-off. Rainwater harvesting is the practice of
collecting and storing rainwater close to its source and using it for nearby needs. This can be done
through a rain barrel, cistern (larger container), or a rain garden.
In 2010 the City began providing customers with education on the proper installation and use of
rainwater harvesting systems, along with a modest rebate for rainwater collection barrels. To date
rebates have been issued for over 150 barrels. The City plans to modify the existing rainwater rebate
program from a set rebate per barrel to a rebate per gallon of water storage. This will incentivize the
purchase and installation of larger rainwater collection systems.
Water Reuse
The City has received authorization from the TCEQ to reuse its treated wastewater effluent as Type I
reuse water, the highest quality of reuse water. This authorization is available for direct reuse projects
as well as indirect reuse through its Bed and Banks permit. The goal for the City’s water reuse program is
to reduce peak demand on the potable (drinking) water system by switching non-potable uses of water,
such as athletic field irrigation, to reuse water.
The City’s first direct reuse installation extended reclaimed water infrastructure to the City’s Veterans
Park and Athletic Complex, reducing demand on the potable water system. Plans are in development to
develop a Water Reuse Implementation Plan that will focus on expanding the water reuse program to
include large volume commercial customers, such as shopping centers and business parks.
Prohibition on Wasting Water
The City’s Drought Contingency Plan includes the following prohibitions on water waste, which apply
year-round:
Operating automatic in-ground or hose-end sprinkler systems between the hours of 10:00 A.M.
and 6:00 P.M.
Allowing water to run off a property or allowing water to pond in the street or parking lot.
Operating an irrigation system with sprinkler heads that are broken or out of adjustment.
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Failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice
directing the repair of such leak(s).
Operating fountains or ponds without a recirculation device
SECTION 11. METHOD FOR TRACKING EFFECTIVENESS OF WATER
CONSERVATION PLAN
In order to track the effectiveness of the Water Conservation Plan, the City compiles and submits an
annual report on its Water Conservation Plan to TCEQ, which includes the following performance
metrics:
Summary of public information issued in the previous year
Report on meter testing program
Summary of water loss control program
Peak water demand and overall water consumption
Per capita water usage for the previous calendar year.
Evaluation of status of plan and progress toward meeting stated goals
SECTION 12. MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
The City Manager or his/her designee will act as Administrator of this Water Conservation Plan. The
Administrator shall oversee execution and implementation of all elements of this Plan and is responsible
for overseeing adequate record-keeping for program documentation.
As a means of implementing and enforcing this Plan, all Plan elements discussed in this document are
adopted by City Council Resolution (see Appendix A).
SECTION 13. COORDINATION
This Water Conservation Plan shall work in accordance with the related City of College Station
Ordinance, Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Plan, first adopted in January 2000 and as it may
be revised or amended from time to time.
The City of College Station will provide a copy of this Water Conservation Plan to the Brazos Region
(Region G) Water Planning Group, as designated by the TWDB. See Appendix B.
The City of College Station will provide a copy of this Plan to the Brazos Valley Groundwater
Conservation District. See Appendix C.
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APPENDIX A: Resolution of the College Station City Council adopting
Water Conservation Plan
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APPENDIX B: Transmittal Letter to Brazos Region G Regional Water
Planning Group
Transmittal letters are incorporated by reference and will be sent upon plan adoption.
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APPENDIX C: Transmittal Letter to Brazos Valley Groundwater
Conservation District
Transmittal letters are incorporated by reference and will be sent upon plan adoption.
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