HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-2184 - Ordinance - 06/27/1996ORDINANCE NO. 2184
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 11, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES
OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS, BY ADDING A SECTION 8
ADOPTING WATER CONSERVATION AND EMERGENCY WATER DEMAND
MANAGEMENT PLANS, PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY OR FINE; PROVIDING
FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, the City of College Station City Council has determined that it is
necessary for the City to adopt a plan that will deal with emergency water
demand situations because there are a number of scenarios where the public
water supply could be adversely affected and jeopardize the public health; and
WHEREAS, normal service can be interrupted by such uncontrollable circum-
stances as drought, hurricanes, tornadoes, vandalism, floods, or equipment fail-
ure;
WHEREAS, water demand is usually significantly higher than normal when
drought periods exist causing maximum stress on the public water system;
WHEREAS, under extended periods of high demand, production from the aqui-
fer diminishes due to lower water levels and reduced transmissivity;
WHEREAS, the aquifer source for the production wells, the Simsboro Sands
aquifer, is projected to have adequate production capacities through the year
2020. The City is continuing to investigate alternate water sources in case of a
premature reduction in aquifer production; and
WHEREAS, this plan will provide the necessary indicators and control measures
to temporarily abate water demand in emergency situations. These provisions
are designed to be in place only as long as an emergency situation exists;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF COLLEGE STATION:
That Chapter 11 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of College Station is
hereby amended by adding a Section 8 to read as follows:
"SECTION 8:
WATER CONSERVATION AND EMERGENCY
WATER DEMAND MANAGEMENT PLANS
The College Station Water Conservation and Emergency Water Demand
Management Plans attached hereto as Appendix A have been adopted as the
official policy of the City."
II.
That all ordinances of the city in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance be,
and the same are hereby, repealed and all other ordinances of the City not in
conflict with the provisions of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.
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ORDINANCE NO. 2184 PAGE 2
II1.
Should any paragraph, sentence, subdivision, clause, phrase or section of this
ordinance be adjudged or held to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid, the same
shall not affect the validity of this ordinance as a whole or any part or provision
thereof, other than the part so declared to be invalid, illegal or unconstitutional.
IV.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of the mandatory
water use restrictions which have been formally initiated by the City and
contained in the College Station Water Conservation and Emergency Water
Demand Management Plans as adopted shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and,
upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine pursuant to the General
Penalty set out in Chapter 1, Section 5, of this Code of Ordinances.
This ordinance shall take effect ten (10) days from the date of its passage.
PASSED, ADOPTED and APPROVED this s~ 7°~ day of June, 1996.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
LYNN~IclLHANEY, Mayor
Connie Hooks, City Secretal~
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APPENDIX A
WATER CONSERVATION PLAN
AND
EMERGENCY WATER DEMAND MANAGEMENT PLAN
FOR
THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
(Adopted by Ordinance No. 2184 on June 27, 1996)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WATER CONSERVATION AND
EMERGENCY WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS
Ao
B.
C.
D
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
WATER CONSERVATION PLAN
Page
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1
Water Conservation Plan ............................................................................................. 1
Background Information ............................................................................................... 1
Public Education .......................................................................................................... 2
Plumbing Codes .......................................................................................................... 2
Retrofit Programs ......................................................................................................... 2
Universal Metering ....................................................................................................... 2
Water Conserving Landscape ...................................................................................... 3
Rate Structures of Water and Wastewater ................................................................... 3
Leak Detection and Water Audits ................................................................................. 3
Recycling and Reuse ................................................................................................... 3
Implementation and Enforcement ................................................................................ 3
Contracts with Other Political Subdivisions .................................................................. 4
Annual Report .............................................................................................................. 4
Penalty ........................................................................................................................ 4
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
EMERGENCY WATER DEMAND MANAGEMENT PLAN
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 5
System Description ...................................................................................................... 5
Trigger Conditions ........................................................................................................ 5
Emergency/Drought Contingency Measures ................................................................. 6
Information and Education ........................................................................................... 7
Initiation Procedures .................................................................................................... 8
Termination Notification ............................................................................................... 8
Implementation ............................................................................................................ 8
Annual Evaluation and Revisions of Trigger Conditions ............................................... 8
Penalty ........................................................................................................................ 8
WATER CONSERVATION AND EMERGENCY
WATER DEMAND MANAGEMENT PLANS
FOR
THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
WATER CONSERVATION PLAN
In accordance with the guidelines of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), the
City of College Station, (hereafter referred to as 't.he .City') has prepared a water conser-
vation and emergency water demana managemem p,an.
WATER CONSERVATION PLAN
The puqx)sa of this water conservation plan is t..o redu .c~. Io.ng t.e...rm d..em, and .on the water
use through changing the way that College Station res~aents utilize tnelr wa.~er resource.
Its primary goal is to effectively reduce waste and infl. ue~nce co.nse..rvatio.n, ha..bits_o..f th.e
residents of College Station. A reduction of the peak oemano wil, enable me ~ity to
defer new capital expenditures for production facilities required to contend with escalat-
ing dally demand peaks.
The initial goal will be to reduce the average water use by five percent (5%), or to
achieve an average water usage of less than 141 gallons per day per capita (gpdc).
Also, the City hopes to reduce the peak demand by ten percent (.1,0%). These goals will
be reached within a five (5) year period from the date of the plan s enactment. Evalua-
tion of the plan on an annual basis will determine the extent, if any, that the plan will
need modification.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The City's Water/Wastewater Utility services an area of 31 square miles and a popula-
tion of approximately 59,800 residents. The City does not serve Texas A&M University
which provides service to approximately 10,000 campus residents. This student count is
deducted from the population to determine a figure of 49,800 residents the utility serves.
The City of College Station has utilized ground water for its public water supply from its
initial development. Since 1980, College Station has developed its own water production
facilities. The City's wells are located in the Simsboro Sands of the Carrizo-Wilcox aqui-
fer complex.
The average gallon usage per capita for College Station for 1993, 1994, and 1995 was
151,146, and 147 gallons per day per capita (gpdc) respectively and the average daily
demand was 7.14 MGD, 6.9 MGD, and 7.3 MGD respectively. The three year daily
average demand, ending in 1995, was 7.1 MGD. The peak demand can exceed two
times the average daily demand, usually occurring dudng summer months of Iow annual
rainfall years.
Currently the City's highest peak day on record was 14.88 MGD on July 30, 1994.
During high demand periods when large volumes of water are being pumped from the
aquifer, the production, capacity of the wells are reduced due to lower water levels of the
aquifer.
Texas A&M University has an agreement with College Station to purchase, or sell, pota-
ble water through two metered lines. It is possible to purchase, or sell, up to one million
gallons per day from the Univemity, but these connections are only used during times of
high demand or in emergency situations.
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Wellborn Water Supply has contracted with the City to purchase water, up to 1.0 MGD,
through three metered lines.
A regional study of water resources in the Brazos County area, completed in 1989,
concluded that a sufficient supply of water, for all entities drawing from the aquifer, will
be obtainable through the year 2020 and beyond. Even though the conclusions of this
study forecast no shortages in the near future, the City staff believes that it is in the
City's best interest to implement a conservation plan to protect the City's long-term water
supply.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
(1)
The City will promote water conservation issues by Informing the public in a
variety of ways including:
(a) new customers will receive conservation information;
(b) information will be available upon request;.
community educational program/school demonstrations
and presentations;
(d) mall and shopping center information booths;
(e) film and lectures presentations available for civic groups;
(f) exhibits at fairs held throughout the year; and
(g) articles will be regularly published in the local newspaper.
The City also proclaims a week as National Drinking Water Week where
residents have access to information and demonstrations relating to water
conservation and environmental issues that affect water supply through advertis-
ing and an informational fair.
PLUMBING CODES
The City has adol~ed the 1994 Southern Standard Plumbing Code which requires the
use of water saving fixtures to be installed in new construction and in the replacement of
plumbing in existing structures. The code shall meet or be modified to meet the Texas
Water Development Board standards.
RETROFIT PROGRAMS
The City shall educate the residents, plumbers, and contractors on the benefits of
retrofiffing existing facilities with water saving devices. This program will be encom-
passed in the educational and informational programs utilized by the City. The City will
contact all plumbing companies and hardware stores in the College Station area to
encourage them to stock water conserving fixtures and retrofit devices.
UNIVERSAL METERING
All production walls, pumping stations, interconnections, irrigation, swimming pools,
perks, and municipal structures operated by the City of College Station are now being
metered. All service connections in the City ara metered.
The City will continue to provide a water meter preventive maintenance program,
wherein regular scheduled testing, repairs, and replacement ara performed m accor-
dance with AWWA standards. The City has committed to and successfully been able to
maintain a water delive~j rate of equal to or greater than ninety percent (90%) of
production.
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WATER CONSERVING LANDSCAPE
The City of College Station will provide information, through the public education
program, to homeowners, business owners, landscape architects, and irrigation contrac-
tors about the methods and benefits of water conserving landscaping practices and
devices. The following methods will be encouraged:
(1)
The use of Iow water consuming plants and grasses for landscaping new homes
and commercial areas.
The use of ddp irrigation systems when possible or other water conserving irri-
gation systems that utilize efficient sprinklers and considerations given to
prevailing winds.
(3)
The use of omamental fountains that recycle water and use a minimum amount
of water.
Businesses and nurseries to offer for sale Iow water consuming plants and
grasses along with efficient irflgation systems and to promote their use through
demonstrations and advertisements.
RATE STRUCTURES OF WATER AND WASTEWATER
The City's water and wastewater rate structure is based on the "cost of services" the
utility provides. A rate structure with fees based on meter size and a uniform water
usage rate is utilized to provide an equitable allocation of cost for the customer base.
LEAK DETECTION AND WATER AUDITS
The City of College Station has aggressively pursued a leak detection and repair
program and has in invento~j all necessary repair materials needed to ensure prompt
repairs of all leaks detected or reported. A monthly water loss report that cemperas
metered production and metered consumption, as well as accountable water losses,
provides an effective tracking system of water loss. The City also has an annual distri-
bution rehabilitation program which replaces older high loss sections of the distribution
system.
RECYCLING AND REUSE
The City has studied the possibility of using its wastewater effluent for irrigation and
industrial uses, but has determined that at this time it is not economically feasible. The
City will continue to study aitemative uses for its wastewater effluent.
IMPLEMENTATION AND [ENFORCEMENT
(1)
The resolution adopting the Water Conservation Plan shall authorize the City to
implement, enforce, and administer the program.
The plan will bo enforced through adoption of the Water Conservation Plan by
the City Council of the City of College Station and in the following manner:.
Service taps will not be provided to customers not meeting the plan
requirements.
Customers that do not pay their water bills will have sewice discon-
nected.
Building Inspections Division will not certify new construction which fails
to meet plan requirements.
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CONTRACTS WITH OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS
The City will, as part of contract for sale of water to any other entity m-selling water,
require that entity to adopt applicable provisions of the City's water conservation and
drougM contingency plan or have a plan in effect previously adopted by the TWDB.
These provisions will be through contractual agreement pdor to the sale of any water to
the water re-seller.
ANNUAL REPORT
(1)
In addition to the above outlined responsibilities, the City will submit an annual
report to the Texas Water Development Board on the Water Conservation Plan.
The report will include the following:
(a) Public information which has been issued.
(b) Public response to plan.
Effectiveness of Water Conservation plan in replacing water consump-
tion.
(d) Implementation pregmss and status of plan.
(e) Static and Pumping water levels within the City's wells.
PENALTY
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of the mandatory water
use restrictions set out herein shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction
thereof shall be punished by a fine pursuant to the General Penalty set out in Chapter 1,
Section 5, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of College Station.
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EMERGENCY WATER DEMAND MANAGEMENT PLAN
INTRODUCTION
This plan will provide the necessary indicators and control measures to temporarily abate
water demand in emergency situations. Theseprovisions are designed to be in place
only as long as an emergency situation exists. To be effective, the plan must have the
following elements:
(1)
(2)
Tdgger conditions that will signal the existence of an emergency situation;
Emergency control measures;
(3) Methods to relay information and notify the public;
(4) Enforcement procedures;
(5) Method of implementation of plan; and
(6) Procedure for termination notification.
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Currently the City has a production capacity of 14.688 MGD from its four supply wells.
The City also utilizes three interconnections with other water sources. Texas A&M is
interconnected at two locations and can provide approximately 1.0 MGD to College
Station's distribution system.
The City of Bryan is Interconnected at one location and is able to provide approximately
1.5 MGD to College Station's distribution system. The City is able to utilize these
connections in emergency situations provided they are available and not also in an
emergency situation.
The average daily demand for 1993, 1994, and 1995 was 7.14 MGD, 6.9 MGD, and 7.3
MGD respectively. The average daily production capacity wes 2.05, 2.12, and 2.01
times of the average daily demand in 1993, 1994, and 1995 respectively. The highest
peak demand recorded was on July 30, 1994, at 14.88 MGD, which wes 1.3 percent
greater than well production capacity.
The combinations of the 14.688 MGD production capacity, 13 MG of storage capacity,
and the 3 MGD interconnection capacity provide adequate supply for short term peak
demand, but under extended periods of high demand, production from the aquifer dimin-
ishes due to lower water levels and reduced transmissivity.
The aquifer source for the production wells, the Simsbero Sands aquifer, is projected to
have adequate production capacities through the year 2020. The City is continuing to
investigate alternate water sources in case of a premature reduction in aquifer produc-
tion.
TRIGGER CONDITION~
Daily water demand will be monitored for impending emergency conditions by the City's
staff. /rigger conditions will be based on an emergency situation caused by a natural
disaster, equipment or system failure, or high daily average water demand.
(1) ~
Water demand reaches ninety percent (90%) of firm production capac-
ity; or
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A disruption due to equipment or distribution system failure that would
limit the capacity of the water system below eighty-five percent (85%) of
capacity.
Moderate Conditions
Water demand exceeds ninety-five percent (95%) of the firm production
capacity; or
A disruption due to equipment or distribution system failure that would
limit the capacity of the water system below seventy five percent (75%)
of capacity.
(3) Severe Conditions
Water demand reaches one hundred percent (100%) of firm production
capacity; or
A disruption due to equipment or distribution system failure that would
limit the capacity of the water system below seventy percent (70%) of
capacity.
(4) Critical Conditions
In the event of an extended period of the severe condition or any natural cata-
strophic situations that inten'upt or have the potential to interrupt the City's pota-
ble water supply, the City is authorized to take all reasonable measures neces-
sary to provide for the public's safety.
EMERGENCY/DROUGHT CONTINGENCY MEASURES
The following measures will be instated by the City when trigger conditions are reached:
(1) Mild Conditions
The public shall be informed, by local news media, that a trigger condi-
tion has been reached and they should look for ways to voluntarily
reduce water demand. The specific recommendations shall be provided
by the City.
There shall be reduced watering of public parks, public facilities and
esplanades to minimum levels to avoid loss of vegetation.
(c) Publish a voluntary lawn watering schedule through local media.
(d) Request voluntary water reductions of major commercial water users.
(2) M~lerete Conditions
Notify customers that all preceding measures that are in place due to
mild trigger conditions will be continued.
(b) Mandatory lawn watering schedule will be instated as follows:
(i) Customers with even numbered street addresses will be
allowed to water on even number days of the month.
(ii)
Customers with odd numbered street addresses will be allowed
to water on odd number days of the month.
(ii~ Watering shall only occur between 6-10 AM and 6-10 PM
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(3)
(c)
Water for public use shall be limited to essential practices to protect the
health or safety of the community. Non-essential uses shall be prohib-
ited, (i.e. filling of pools, hydrant flushing, street washing, or recreational
grounds watering.)
Severe Conditions
(a)
Notify customers that ail preceding measures that are in place due to
moderate trigger conditions will be continued.
(b)
Prohibit the use of water for specific outdoor activities such as watering
of yards or car washing. The City shall have the authorization to grant
variations for specific businesses, such as nurseries, for limited outdoor
watering. Fire protection, sewer maintenance, or other related outdoor
uses that provide health and safety measures shall not be restricted.
(c)
Set limits on water consumption for both commercial and residential
customers.
(d)
Establish monetary fines for noncompliance of water consumption limits
or violation of the drought contingency plan.
iNFORMATION AND EDUCATION
The severity of the trigger conditions shall dictate the procedures for informing the public
as follows:
(1) Mild Conditions
(a)
The publication of an article in the local newspaper informing the public
that a trigger condition has been reached and that there is a need to
conserve water. A statement shall be issued announcing the possibility
of further measures if necessary.
An article or notice, including control measures, published in the Ciys
monthly newsletter or utility bill.
Moderate Conditions
(a) Public notices of moderate control measures will be published through
local news media, including enforcement measures and penalties.
(b) Distribution of mandatory watering schedules, including a description of
enforcement measures and penalties
(c) Public notification of the situation published through local news media
daily.
(3)
Severe
(a)
Conditions
Daily advisers to the public published through local news media of the
severe situation and of severe control measures and penalties.
(b)
Public announcements on local television and radio stations advising of
the severe situation and of severe control measures and penalties.
INITIATION PROCEDURES
Monitoring of the water demand, as well as the utility system condition, will be performed
by the City. As tdgger conditions are exceeded, the City Manager or his designee will
notify the Mayor, Council members, and the Police Department of the situation. The
City Manager will then initiate the Emergency Water Demand Management Plan.
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TERMINATION NOTIFICATION
Upon the elimination of the emergency situation or when water usage levels fall below
the trigger condition levels for at least five (5) days (or less in Instances where repairs
have been completed or significant rainfall has occun'ed), the public shall be notified of
the downgrading or termination of the prescribed measures.
An article published in the local newspaper will be utilized for the notification of the
revised status of the prescribed measures.
IMPLEMENTATION
The Emergency Water Demand Management Plan shall be implemented through its
adoption by way of ordinance by the College Station City Council.
ANNUAL EVALUATION AND REVISIONS OF TRIGGER CONDITIONS
The trigger conditions shall be evaluated at least once a year for overall effectiveness
and revisions due to upgrades pe~ormed on the utility system. Modifications to the plan
will be adopted as they are required.
PENALTY
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of the mandatory water
use restrictions set out herein shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction
thereof shall be punished by a fine pursuant to the General Penalty set out in Chapter 1,
Section 5, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of College Station.
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