Water Use Regulation/Drought Contingency Plan

Introduction

The purpose of this plan is to introduce guidelines necessary to initiate water conservation and drought contingency measures for Highland Village Water Consumers required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Such a response is needed when water use approaches the system supply, treatment and delivery capacity. Examples include drought conditions, unusually high water demands, unforeseen equipment/system failure, or contamination of the water supply source.

The objective of the City of Highland Village Water Use Regulation/Drought Contingency Plan is to achieve efficient use of water supply resources.

The goal of the Water Conservation/Drought Contingency Plan is to accomplish conservation and protect the integrity of water supply facilities through public information/education, practices and measures that reduce per capita water consumption within the distribution system with regards for domestic water use, sanitation, fire protection, and to protect and preserve public health, welfare, safety and minimize any adverse impacts of a water supply shortage or other water supply emergencies. Meeting this goal will allow the extension of the available water supply and existing infrastructure into the future.

The ultimate success of any water conservation program is dependent on an informed public. The individual water using customers must have an awareness of the benefits and needs for water conservation. They must also have knowledge of how to contribute to the success of the plan. The public information, education and participation part of the plan is designed in cooperation with each customer to provide information to as many of the users as possible. The elements are listed below.

1. Participate with the Denton County regional water district in an informative school program to include poster contests, classroom presentations, curriculum aids and materials, and teacher workshops.
2. A literature program. The city will provide water conservation brochures annually covering the following topics.
1. Saving water outdoors
2. Saving water indoors
3. Use of native plants in low water use landscaping
4. Retrofitting existing structures with low-flow devices, i.e. Showerheads, toilet tank displacement devices.
5. The City will distribute water conservation information and devices at public events.
3. Public service announcements on local government television, local radio stations and articles in the newspapers with general circulation within the City.

The City will review and evaluate this water conservation/drought contingency plan to include any changes or amendments to the plan necessary to reflect major changes in the City service area, population, water supply, transmission system and contractual agreements with the Denton County regional water district for annual reporting and periodically but no less than every five years.

The City of Highland Village seeks to provide the highest quality water to its users at the lowest possible cost. The City uses two sources of water, ground water pumped from within the City and surface water supplied from the Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) based on a subscription. The total combined amount from these two sources is normally sufficient to provide Highland Village residential and commercial consumers with the water they require, as well as to maintain adequate reserve quantities and pressure from our storage system to meet emergency and firefighting demands.

The Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) draws surface water from Lake Lewisville. The water rights are owned by the City of Dallas and the City of Denton. As a member of the UTRWD, the City of Highland Village water conservation/drought contingency plan will work in coordination with any conservation measures set forth by the Denton County Regional Water District (UTRWD) (see Appendix A).

During summer months total water usage could often greatly exceed supply and storage levels. In this case, one of the following four management levels will occur.

In order to reduce the impact of peak daytime water usage during the summer months, as well as to encourage efficient use of water and properly educate the residents about water conservation, the City will annually institute its Phase I "Seasonal Conservation" plan which restricts outside watering practices during the hottest daytime period 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. The purpose of "Seasonal Conservation" is not primarily directed at reducing total water consumption, but to lower peak water usage during the day. The conservation of water through its more efficient use in outside watering is a secondary benefit. This schedule also gives residents the flexibility to irrigate any day of the week, eliminating excess usage patterns associated with odd/even day and other forms of water conservation. A variance to phase I may be granted by obtaining a special use permit from the inspections/permits counter at the Municipal Complex.

In the event of a sustained, but short-term period of water system supply degradation or excessive demand and periods of drought, Phase II "Water Management" may be implemented. The primary purpose of this phase is mild water conservation in order to ensure an adequate supply of water for normal domestic use and fire fighting. A variance to phase II may be granted by obtaining a special use permit from the inspections/permits counter at the Municipal Complex.

In the event of a sustained period of water system supply degradation or excessive demand, and periods of severe drought, Phase III "Water Management Alert" may be implemented. The primary purpose of this Phase is moderate water conservation in order to ensure an adequate supply of water for normal domestic use and fire fighting. A variance to phase III may be granted by obtaining a special use permit from the inspections/permits counter at the Municipal Complex.

The final and most restrictive is Phase IV "Water Management Emergency" which may be implemented during prolonged supply deficits or extreme drought as well as periods of severe supply degradation or excessive demand. The purpose of this Phase is to ensure an adequate supply of water for health, safety, and firefighting uses. This phase also contains a provision for the development of a detailed plan to cope with or resolve the emergency condition. Variances to phase IV will not be granted.

When neither of the four regulation phases are in effect, the City shall be in a "Normal" supply Phase and no special action or restrictions shall be required. However, the City will monitor demand in terms of actual consumption by universal metering, meter repair and replacement and future cumulative commitments to ensure the residents and businesses a reliable and adequate water supply.

It is the intent of this Water Use Regulation/Drought Contingency Plan to provide a simple, yet effective means of ensuring an adequate supply of water during periods or occurrences of system shortfalls and not to substitute for permanent infrastructure deficiencies. It is the responsibility of the City Council and staff to provide for sufficient water resources, as our residents require now and in the future.

APPENDIX A

Water Use Regulation Plan

Phase I - Seasonal Conservation

 

Criteria:

Effective each year beginning May 1st and ending September 30th or dates as amended under this ordinances' implementation authority.

Purpose:

To reduce peak daylight hour demand on the municipal water supply during the high water use season and to enforce prudent outside watering practices.

Regulation:

1. No outside watering between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Hand watering of shrubbery allowed at any hour.
2. Variances to this regulation may be granted by permit only (see attached permit) available at the Municipal Complex (inspections/permits counter).
3. Users of private well water for irrigation are asked to post a sign indicating so in a conspicuous location.
4. Hand washing of vehicles shall be permitted providing there is no wasteful runoff.
5. Wasteful runoff, by any means, shall be prohibited.

Implementation/Notification:

The following will be used:

1. Water Use Regulation Plan Cards will be sent to each water account annually.
2. Water Use Regulation Plan Cards will be distributed to each new account at the time that account is established.
3. Highland Village Community Television (Cable TV - Channel 15) shall notify under the heading "Water Use Phase in Effect".

The following may also be used.

1. Public announcement during City Council Session.
2. Notification sent to local newspapers.
3. Article in the Villager Newsletter and/or in the Utility Division Newsletter.
4. Posted notification at City Hall and/or at the bulletin board at the Police Station.

Water Use Regulation Plan
Phase II - Water Management

Criteria:

Any single or combination of the following events are required for Phase II implementation.

1. When in the opinion of the City Manager or Designee the supply of water is inadequate to meet the previous Phase.
2. When total system supply is reduced by a minimum 8% for greater than 8 days. Example: storage at beginning of the day is 7,250,000 gals. Storage at the end of the day is 6,670,000 gals.
3. When demand exceeds 80% of supply for three (3) consecutive days or 100% for two (2) consecutive days.
4. When the Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) implements their water conservation plan and emergency demand management plan by resolution of the board of directors.
5. When the State of Texas declares this region to be in a severe drought or greater.

Purpose:

To ensure an adequate supply of water for normal domestic use and firefighting during periods of short term sustained system degradation, inadequacy or drought.

Regulation:

1. All landscape and other outside water use is prohibited on Monday and Friday to allow system recovery.
2. Hand watering of landscapes is permitted only from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.
3. No outside water use permitted between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
4. Any use of water resulting in runoff (i.e. hosing off pavement or vehicles) or obvious waste is prohibited.
5. Users of private well systems are required to post a sign indicating so in a conspicuous location.
6. Commercial car washes and landscape nurseries not using well or reclaimed water shall submit a plan for reduced use of water to the Utility Division.
7. If this Phase is implemented under criteria (d), severe drought or greater, the City Manager or designee shall direct that water rates for residential use in excess of 20,000 gals/month be double effective the next billing cycle.
8. Variances to these regulations is by permit only and is granted by the City Manager, Director of Public Works or the Utility Division Superintendent, and is valid for a period not to exceed two weeks (see attached permit).

Implementation/Notification:

All of the following will be used:

1. Public announcement during City Council session.
2. Notification published in local newspaper.
3. Highland Village Community Television (Cable TV-Channel 15).
4. Posted notification at City Hall and/or bulletin board at the Police Station.

The following may also be used:

1. Phase II cards sent to each water account.
2. Telephone calls to commercial users.

Phase II will automatically terminate three (3) weeks after implementation unless extended by Resolution of the City Council.

Enforcement Guidelines:

The Police Department of the City of Highland Village shall be responsible for the enforcement of the water use regulation plan. The Police Department will rely on the assistance of the citizenry, the Public Works Department, and the Code Enforcement Division to enforce these regulations.

Phase Reduction Notification:

Phase reduction will be at the discretion of the City Manager or Designee, but in no case be delayed beyond a period of three weeks without Resolution by the City Council.

One or more of the following is required:

1. Phase reduction notice posted at City Hall and/or the Bulletin Board at the Police Station.
2. Notification posted in local newspaper.
3. Notification sent to each water account.
4. Highland Village Community Television (Channel TV-Channel 15)

Water Use Regulation Plan
Phase III - Water Management Alert

Criteria:

Any single or combination of the following events are required for Phase III implementation.

1. When in the opinion of the City Manager or Designee the supply of water is inadequate to meet the previous Phase.
2. When total system supply is reduced by a minimum 10% for greater than 10 days. Example: storage at beginning of day is 7,250,000 gals. Storage at the end of the day is 6,525,000 gals.
3. When demand exceeds 100% of supply for four (4) consecutive days or 120% for three (3) consecutive days.
4. When the Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) implements their water conservation plans and emergency demand management plan by resolution of the board of directors.
5. When the State of Texas declares this region to be in a severe drought or greater.

Purpose:

To ensure an adequate supply of water for normal domestic use and firefighting during periods of short term sustained system degradation, inadequacy or drought.

Regulation:

1. All landscape and other outside watering use is prohibited on Monday and Friday to allow system recovery.
2. Hand watering of landscapes is permitted only from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.
3. Watering with a sprinkler is prohibited.
4. Any use of water resulting in runoff (i.e. hosing off pavement or vehicles) or obvious waste is prohibited.
5. Users of private well systems are required to post a sign indicating so in a conspicuous location.
6. Commercial car washes and landscape nurseries not using well or reclaimed water shall submit a plan for reduced use of water to the Utility Division.
7. Variances to the above regulations is by permit only and is granted by the City Manager, Director of Public Works or the Utility Division Superintendent, and is valid for a period not to exceed two weeks (see attached permit).
8. If this Phase is implemented under criteria (d), severe drought or greater, the City Council shall direct that water rates be adjusted as follows: Usage in excess of 20,000 gals/month be charged double of current rates. If declared on or before 5 days following the start of the current month's meter reading cycle, the rates would be effective with the current month's usage, otherwise, the double rates would be effective starting with the next billing period. In either case, the modified rate structure will remain in effect for a minimum of one billing cycle. This action may be decided by directive of the City Council prior to the next scheduled calculation of monthly water bills.

Implementation/Notification:

All of the following will be used:

1. Public announcement during City Council session.
2. Notification published in local newspaper.
3. Highland Village Community Television (Cable TV-Channel 15)
4. Posted notification at the Municipal Complex and/or bulletin board at the Police Station.

The following may also be used:

1. Phase III cards sent to each water account.
2. Telephone calls to commercial users.

Phase III will automatically terminate three (3) weeks after implementation unless extended by Resolution of the City Council.

Enforcement Guidelines:

The Police Department of the City of Highland Village shall be responsible for the enforcement of the water use regulation plan. The Police Department will rely on the assistance of the citizenry, the Public Works Department, and the Code Enforcement Division to enforce these regulations.

Phase Reduction Notification:

Phase reduction will be at the discretion of the City Manager or Designee, but in no case be delayed beyond a period of three weeks without Resolution by the City Council.

One or more of the following is required:

Phase reduction notice posted at City Hall and/or the Bulletin Board at the Police Station.

1. Phase reduction notice posted at City Hall and/or the Bulletin Board at the Police Station.
2. Notification posted in local newspaper.
3. Notification sent to each water account.
4. Highland Village Community Television (Cable TV-Channel 15)

Water Use Regulation Plan
Phase IV - Water Management Emergency

Criteria:

Any single or combination of the following events are required for Phase IV implementation.

1. Resolution by the City Council.
2. When total system supply is reduced by a minimum of 25% for greater than 10 days. Storage at the beginning of the day is 7,250,000 gals. Storage at the end of the day is 5,437,500 gals.
3. When demand exceeds 125% of supply for four (4) consecutive days or 150% for two (2) consecutive days or 100% for fourteen (14) days.
4. Water system is contaminated either accidentally or intentionally.
5. System fails from a catastrophic event such as storms or causes of man.
6. When the Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) implements their water conservation plan and emergency demand management plan by resolution of the board of directors.
7. When the State of Texas declares this region to be in an extreme drought

Purpose:

To ensure an adequate supply of water for minimum domestic use and firefighting during periods of severe system degradation, inadequacy or drought.

Regulation:

1. Water use other than domestic use within the home is prohibited.
2. All landscape and other outside water use is prohibited.
3. Users of private well systems are required to post a sign indicating so in a conspicuous location.
4. The use of water by commercial car washes and landscape nurseries not using well or reclaimed water is prohibited.
5. Variance Permits granted under a different water use regulation phase are suspended.
6. If this Phase is implemented under criteria (f), extreme drought, and extended by Resolution of the City Council, the City Manager shall direct that water rates for residential use in excess of 10,000 gals/month be double, effective the next billing cycle.
7. The City Manager or Director of Public Works will submit to the City Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting, a detailed plan to cope with or resolve the water shortage emergency.
8. No Variance Permits will be granted.

Implementation/Notification:

All of the following will be used:

1. Public announcement during City Council session.
2. Notification published in local newspaper.
3. Highland Village Community Television (Cable TV-Channel 15)
4. Posted notification at City Hall and/or bulletin board at the Police Station.

The following may also be used:

1. Phase IV Cards sent to each water account
2. Telephone calls to commercial users.
3. Phase IV will automatically terminate three (3) weeks after implementation unless extended by resolution of the City Council.

Enforcement Guidelines:

The Police Department of the City of Highland Village shall be responsible for the enforcement of the Water Use Regulation Plan. The Police Department will rely on the assistance of the citizenry, the Public Works Department and the Code Enforcement Division to enforce these regulations.

Phase Reduction Notification:

Phase reduction will be at the discretion of the City Manager or Designee, but in no case be delayed beyond a period of three weeks without Resolution by the City Council.

One or more of the following is required:

1. Phase reduction notice posted at City Hall and/or the bulletin board at the Police Station.
2. Notification posted in local newspaper.
3. Notification sent to each water account.
4. Highland Village Community Television (Cable TV-Channel 15)

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Highland Village Municipal Complex, 1000 Highland Village Road, Highland Village, TX 75077
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