(a) 
Water supply has always been a key issue in the development of the state. In recent years, the growing population and economic development of North Central Texas has led to increasing demands for water supplies. At the same time, local and less expensive sources of water supply are largely developed. Additional supplies to meet higher demands will be expensive and difficult to develop. It is therefore important that the city make the most efficient use of existing supplies. This will delay the need for new supplies, minimize the environmental impacts associated with developing new supplies, and delay the high cost of additional water supply development. The city is a wholesale customer of the City of Dallas and is subject to the rules and restrictions of the City of Dallas Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan.
(b) 
Recognizing the need for efficient use of existing writer supplies, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has developed guidelines and requirements governing the development of water conservation and drought contingency plans for public water suppliers. TCEQ guidelines and requirements are included in appendix B to Ordinance 2019-03-13. The best management practices established by the Water Conservation implementation Task Force 5, established pursuant to SB1094 by the 78th Legislature, were also considered in the development of the water conservation measures. The city has developed this water conservation and drought contingency and water emergency response plan following TCEQ guidelines and requirements and considering the City of Dallas Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan. The plan replaces Lancaster's previous drought contingency plan dated April 2014.
(c) 
The water conservation sections of this plan include measures that are intended to result in ongoing, long-term water savings. The drought contingency and water emergency response sections of this plan address strategies designed to temporarily reduce water use in response to specific conditions.
(d) 
The objectives of this water conservation plan are as follows:
(1) 
To reduce water consumption from the levels that would prevail without conservation efforts.
(2) 
To reduce the loss and waste of water.
(3) 
To improve efficiency in the use of water.
(4) 
To extend the life of current water supplies by reducing the rate of growth in demand.
(5) 
To satisfy the requirements set forth by TCEQ and other agencies.
(e) 
This plan includes all of the elements required by TCEQ. Some elements of this plan go beyond TCEQ requirements. Appendix C to Ordinance 2019-03-16 shows where the plan addresses specific TCEQ requirements.
(Ordinance 2019-03-16 adopted 3/25/19)
(a) 
This water conservation and drought contingency and water emergency response plan is for the city. The city is located in southeast Dallas County and encompasses approximately 30.35 square miles. The city has a contract with the City of Dallas for 9 MGD peak day of treated water.
(b) 
Lancaster provides this treated water to residential, commercial and industrial customers within the City of Lancaster. Lancaster also provides this water to one wholesale customer, Lancaster Municipal Utility District #1 (MUD #1). The 2010 census reported a population of 36,361 people for Lancaster. The 2018 population is estimated at 37,880. The city's ground and elevated storage capacities total 13.5 million gallons respectively. All of the city's wastewater is treated by the Trinity River Authority at the Ten Mile Creek and Red Oak Wastewater Treatment Plants.
(c) 
Figure 2.1 shows the historical per capita use by the City of Lancaster. Figure 2.2 shows the historical percentage of water loss by the City of Lancaster. Figure 2.3 is a map showing the service area for the City of Lancaster.
Figure 2.1: City of Lancaster Per Capita Water Use
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Figure 2.2: City of Lancaster Percent Water Loss
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Figure 2.3
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(Ordinance 2019-03-16 adopted 3/25/19)
TCEQ rules for water conservation plans require the adoption of specific water conservation goals. The city has developed 5-year and 10-year goals for per capita municipal use. These goals are shown in table 3.1. The goals for this water conservation plan include the following:
(1) 
Maintain the per capita municipal water use below the specified 5-ycar and 10-year goals.
(2) 
Maintain the level if unaccounted water in the system below 12 percent annually in 2019 and subsequent years, as discussed in section 24.07.034(3).
(3) 
Implement and maintain a program of universal metering and meter replacement and repair, as discussed in section 24.07.034(2).
(4) 
Increase the efficiency of water usage through a landscape water management ordinance, order or resolution as discussed in section 24.07.037(d). Decrease waste in lawn irrigation by implementation and enforcement of landscape water management regulations, as discussed in section 24.07.037(d).
(5) 
Raise public awareness or water conservation and encourage responsible public behavior by a public education and information program, as discussed in section 24.07.035.
(6) 
Conserving water during peak demands, thereby reducing the peak use.
Table 3.1 Five-Year and Ten-Year Municipal Per Capita Water Use Goals
Description
Current Average
(gpcd)
5-year goal
(gpcd)
10-year goal
(gpcd)
Current 5-year average per capita municipal use
129
129
129
Projected reduction due to elements in this plan
2
3
5
Water conservation goals
129
127
125
Note: 1. gpcd is gallons per capita per day.
(Ordinance 2019-03-16 adopted 3/25/19)
One of the key elements of water conservation is tracking water use and controlling losses through leaks or illegal diversions. It is important to carefully meter water use, detect and repair leaks in the distribution system provide regular monitoring of unaccounted water.
(1) 
Accurate metering of treated water deliveries from City of Dallas.
Water deliveries from the City of Dallas are metered by the City of Dallas with an accuracy of ±2%. The recorded delivery amount is provided to Lancaster by the City of Dallas.
(2) 
Universal metering.
The City of Lancaster meters all water customers. The city is in the process of replacing all of their meters. At this time they have replaced 11,000 out of 12,000 active meters. Lancaster has one wholesale customer whose water use is metered by the City of Lancaster with accuracy of ±5%.
(3) 
Determination and control of unaccounted water.
(A) 
Unaccounted water is the difference between water delivered lo the City of Lancaster from the City of Dallas and metered water sales to customers plus authorized but unmetered uses. (Authorized but unmetered uses would include use for firefighting, releases for flushing of lines, etc.) Unaccounted water can be caused by the following:
(i) 
Inaccuracies in customer meters. (Customer meters tend to run more slowly as they age and under-report actual use.)
(ii) 
Accounts which are being used but have not yet been added to the billing system.
(iii) 
Losses due to water main breaks and leaks in the water distribution system.
(iv) 
Losses due to illegal connections and theft.
(B) 
Measures to control unaccounted water are part of the routine operations of the city. A leak detection and repair program is described in subsection 4 below. Meter readers watch for and report signs of illegal connections, so they can be quickly addressed.
(C) 
Unaccounted water should be calculated in accordance with the provisions of the water utility profile in appendix D to Ordinance 2019-03-16. With the measures described in this plan, Lancaster should maintain unaccounted water below 12 percent in 2019 and subsequent years. Unaccounted water exceeds this goal, Lancaster will implement a more intensive audit to determine the sources(s) of unaccounted water, and take measures to reduce unaccounted water.
(4) 
Leak detection and repair.
In the past, the City of Lancaster has contracted with a leak detection service, but found that the service was not effective. Currently, city staff targets areas known lo have nonsurfacing leaks by listening and sounding devices to locate potential leaks. Water lines with known leakage and breakage problems are replaced as budget allows.
(5) 
Record management system.
As required by TAC title 30, part I, chapter 288, subchapter A, rule 288.2(a)(2)(B), a record management system should allow for the separation or water sales and uses into residential, commercial, public/institutional, and industrial categories. The city has a record management system in place that separates water sales into the categories listed above.
(Ordinance 2019-03-16 adopted 3/25/19)
The continuing public education and information campaign on water conservation includes the following elements:
(1) 
Quarterly newsletter to customers providing conservation tips.
(2) 
The city website includes information water conservation tips http://www.lancaster-tx.com/.
(3) 
City of Lancaster water customers will be notified in their water bill of the availability of information the water conservation and drought contingency plan.
(4) 
The City of Lancaster benefits greatly from the City of Dallas' public education program, "Save Water - Nothing Can Replace It." Television and radio ads sponsored by City of Dallas are aired throughout the Dallas metroplex area including the City of Lancaster.
(Ordinance 2019-03-16 adopted 3/25/19)
The city has an increasing block rate structure for residential customers to discourage excessive use. Current rates as of April 2019 are given below:
(1) 
Residential rates.
(A) 
Monthly minimum charge of $20.90.
(B) 
1st tier up 14,999 gallons, $2.67 per 1,000 gallons.
(C) 
2nd tier 15,000 to 29,999 gallons, $3.31 per 1,000 gallons.
(D) 
3rd tier 30,000 gallons or more, $4.16 per 1,000 gallons.
(2) 
Commercial/industrial rates.
Commercial and industrial customers are charged the same rates as residential customers.
(3) 
Wholesale/customer rates.
Wholesale customers are charged a flat rate of 115% of what Lancaster retail customers are charged in the first tier.
(Ordinance 2019-03-16 adopted 3/25/19)
(a) 
City of Dallas system operation plan.
Since Lancaster purchases treated water from the City of Dallas, the City does not have its own surface water supplies for which to implement a system operation plan. Dallas operates its water supply reservoirs as a system to achieve the most economical operation consistent with assuring adequate supply for future years, maintenance of water rights, and maintenance requirements of the supply and transmission facilities.
(b) 
Reuse and recycling of wastewater.
The City of Lancaster does not own or operate a wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater from the City of Lancaster is treated by the Trinity River Authority at the Ten Mile Creek and Red Oak Wastewater Treatment Plant.
(c) 
Ordinances, plumbing codes or rules on water-conserving fixtures.
The state has required water-conserving fixtures in new construction and renovation since 1992. The state standards call for flows of no more than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) for faucets, 3.0 gpm for showerheads, and 1.6 gallons per flush for toilets. Similar standards are now required nationally under federal law. These stale and federal standards assure that all new construction and renovations will use water-conserving fixtures. The City of Lancaster adopted the International Plumbing Code in 2012 incorporating these standards.
(d) 
Landscape water management measures.
(1) 
The following landscape water management measures are enforced by the City of Dallas for retail customers in the City of Dallas. Lancaster has adopted these measures lo match the City of Dallas measures.
(A) 
Time of day restrictions prohibiting lawn irrigation watering from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. watering with a handheld hose or soaker hose may be conducted at any time.
(B) 
Prohibition of watering of impervious surfaces. (Wind driven water drift will be taken into consideration.)
(C) 
Prohibition of over-watering lawn or landscape, such that a constant stream of water overflows from the lawn or landscape onto a street or other drainage area.
(D) 
Prohibition of outdoor watering during precipitation or freeze events.
(E) 
Prohibition of outdoor watering with misdirected or broken sprinkler heads.
(F) 
Rain and freeze sensors required on all new irrigation systems. Rain and freeze sensors must be maintained to function properly.
(2) 
In addition, the City of Lancaster adopted Ordinance 2008-12-49 in 2008 to address the requirements of Texas House Bill 1656 regarding installation of new irrigation systems.
(e) 
Requirement for water conservation plans by wholesale customers.
The City of Lancaster currently has one wholesale customer, Lancaster MUD #1. Every contract for the wholesale sale of water by the City of Lancaster that is entered into, renewed, or extended after the adoption of this water conservation plan will include a requirement that the wholesale customer and any wholesale customers of that wholesale customer develop and implement a water conservation plan. These plans must meet the requirements of title 30, part I, chapter 288, subchapter A, and rule 288.2 of the Texas Administrative Code. The requirement will also extend to each successive wholesale customer in the resale of the water.
(f) 
Coordination.
A copy of this water conservation and drought contingency and water emergency response plan will be provided to the City of Dallas and the Region C Water Planning Group. A copy of the cover letter to be sent with those plans is included in appendix E to Ordinance 2019-03-16.
(g) 
Water conservation implementation report.
Appendix G to Ordinance 2019-03-16 includes the TCEQ-required water conservation implementation report. The report is due to the TCEQ by May 1st of every year, starting in the year 2010. This report lists the various writer conservation strategies that have been implemented, including the date the strategy was implemented. The report also calls for the five-year and ten-year per capita water use goals from the previous water conservation plan. The amount of water saved is also requested.
(Ordinance 2019-03-16 adopted 3/25/19)
TCEQ requires that the water conservation plans be updated prior to May 1, 2019. The plans are required to be updated every five years thereafter. This plan was prepared in response to the May 1, 2019 requirement, and the plan will be updated as required and as appropriate based on new or updated information.
(Ordinance 2019-03-16 adopted 3/25/19)