(a)
Water supply has always been a key issue in the development 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 ("city") and its customers 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.
(b)
Recognizing the need for efficient use of existing water supplies,
the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ("TCEQ") has developed
guidelines and requirements governing the development of water conservation
plans for public water suppliers. TCEQ guidelines and requirements
are included in appendix B to Ordinance 2017-11-20-01. The city has
developed this water conservation plan following TCEQ guidelines and
requirements. The water conservation plan includes measures that are
intended to result in ongoing, long-term water savings.
(c)
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 document the level of recycling and reuse in the water supply;
(5)
To extend the life of current water supplies by reducing the rate
of growth in demand;
(d)
This plan includes all of the elements required by TCEQ. This plan
also is intended to include requirements of the Texas Water Development
Board ("TWDB") for financial assistance programs of greater than $500,000.00
offered by the TWDB.
(Ordinance 2017-11-20-01, app. A.
adopted 11/20/17)
(a)
Conservation plans.
The TCEQ rules governing development
of water conservation plans for public water suppliers are contained
in title 30, part 1, chapter 288, subchapter A, rule 288.2 of the
Texas Administrative Code, which is included in appendix B to Ordinance
2017-11-20-01. For the purpose of these rules, a water conservation
plan is defined as: "A strategy or combination of strategies for reducing
the volume of water withdrawn from a water supply source, for reducing
the loss or waste of water, for maintaining or improving the efficiency
in the use of water, for increasing the recycling and reuse of water,
and for preventing the pollution of water." The elements in the TCEQ
water conservation rules covered in this conservation plan are listed
below.
(1)
Minimum conservation plan requirements.
The minimum
requirements in the Texas Administrative Code for water conservation
plans for public water suppliers are covered in this report as follows:
(B)
288.2(a)(1)(B) - Records management system - section 13.09.005(3)
(D)
288.2(a)(1)(D) - Accurate metering - section 13.09.005(1) and (2).
(E)
288.2(a)(1)(E) - Universal metering - section 13.09.005(2).
(F)
288.2(a)(1)(F) - Determination and control of water loss - section 13.09.005(4).
(J)
288.2(a)(1)(K) - Coordination with regional water planning group - section 13.09.008(d) and appendix G to Ordinance 2017-11-20-01.
(2)
Conservation additional requirements.
(A)
288.2(a)(2)(A) - Leak detection, repair, and water loss accounting - sections 13.09.005(4) and (5).
(B)
288.2(a)(2)(B) - Requirement for water conservation plans by wholesale customers - section 13.09.008(c).
(3)
Additional conservation strategies.
(A)
The TWDB requires a water conservation program annual report. This
report is included in appendix D to Ordinance 2017-11-20-01.
(B)
TCEQ rules also include optional, but not required, conservation
strategies, which may be adopted by suppliers. The city has adopted
the following optional strategies:
(ii)
288.2(a)(3)(B) - Ordinances, plumbing codes or rides on water-conserving fixtures - section 13.09.008(a).
(iii)
288.2(a)(3)(G) - Monitoring method - section 13.09.005(6).
(Ordinance 2017-11-20-01, app. A.
adopted 11/20/17)
Appendix C to Ordinance 2017-11-20-01 is a water utility profile
based on the format recommended by the TWDB.
(Ordinance 2017-11-20-01, app. A.
adopted 11/20/17)
TCEQ rules require the adoption of specific water conservation
targets and goals for a water conservation plan. The targets and goals
for this water conservation plan include the following:
|
Table 1. Water Conservation Plan 5- and 10-Yr Goals for Water
Savings
Facility Name: City of Gunter
Water Conservation Plan Year: 2017
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Historic 5-Year Average
|
Baseline
|
5-Year Goal for year 2022
|
10-Year Goal for year 2027
|
|
Total GPCD1
|
124
|
124
|
120
|
115
|
|
Residential GPCD2
|
79
|
79
|
77
|
75
|
|
Water Loss (GPCD)3
|
20
|
20
|
17
|
16
|
|
Water Loss (percentage)4
|
16%
|
16%
|
14%
|
14%
|
|
1.
|
Total GPCD = (Total Gallons in System ÷ Permanent Population) ÷
365
|
|
2.
|
Residential GPCD = (Gallons Used for Residential Use ÷
Residential Population) ÷ 365
|
|
3.
|
Water loss GPCD = (Total Water Loss ÷ Permanent Population) ÷
365
|
|
4.
|
Water loss percentage = (Total Water Loss ÷ Total Gallons
in System) x 100; or (Water Loss GPCD ÷ Total GPCD) x 100
|
(1)
Implement and maintain a program of universal metering and meter replacement and repair, as discussed in section 13.09.005(2).
(3)
Raise public awareness of water conservation and encourage responsible public behavior by a public education and information program, as discussed in section 13.09.006.
(4)
Develop a system specific strategy to conserve water during peak
demands, thereby reducing the peak use.
(5)
Maintain meter replacement program. See section 13.09.005(2).
(Ordinance 2017-11-20-01, app. A.
adopted 11/20/17)
One of the key elements of water conservation is tracking water
use and controlling losses through illegal diversions and leaks. The
city carefully meters water use, to detect and repair leaks in the
distribution system and provide regular monitoring of apparent water
loss.
(1)
Accurate metering.
The city meters all treated water
deliveries to the distribution system from the water treatment plant
master meter. Each meter has an accuracy of plus or minus ten percent.
The meters are replaced when reaching 1 million gallons usage or discrepancies
when reading meters on a monthly basis.
(2)
Metering of customer and public uses and meter testing, repair and
replacement.
Water usage for all customers of the city,
including public and government users, is metered. As part of this
water conservation plan, the city is converting approximately half
its existing meters to digital-read meters over the next three fiscal
years (FY 2018–FY 2020). All new meters will be digital-read
meters. The city will maintain a meter replacement program that will
replace every meter on a 15-year cycle. In the recent past the city
has been replacing approximately 25 meters annually.
(3)
Record management system.
A record management system which allows for classification of water sales and uses into the most detailed level of water use data currently available shall be utilized, as required by TAC, title 30, part 1, chapter 288, subchapter A, rule 288.2(a)(1)(B). This information will be included in an annual report, as described in subsection (6) below.
(4)
Determination and control of apparent water loss.
(A)
Apparent water loss is the difference between water delivered to
customers from the city and metered water sales to customers plus
authorized but unmetered uses. (Authorized but unmetered uses include
use for fire fighting, releases for flushing of lines, uses associated
with new construction, etc.) Apparent water loss can include several
categories:
(i)
Inaccuracies in customer meters (customer meters tend to run more
slowly as they age and under-report actual use).
(ii)
Accounts that are being used but have not yet been added to
the billing system.
(iii)
Losses due to illegal connections and theft (included in appendix
E to Ordinance 2017-11-20-01).
(iv)
Other.
(B)
Measures to control apparent water loss are part of the routine operations
of the city and its customers. Maintenance crews and personnel look
for and report evidence of leaks in the water distribution system
with periodic visual inspections along distribution lines. A leak
detection and repair program is described in subsection (5) below.
Meter readers watch for and report signs of illegal connections, so
they can be quickly addressed.
(C)
Utilizing the measures described in this plan, the city's target
and goal is to maintain apparent water loss at or below 14 percent
(17 gpcpd) in 2022 and below 14 percent (16 gpcpd) in 2027. If apparent
water loss exceeds this goal, the city shall implement a more intensive
audit to determine the source(s) of and reduce the apparent water
loss. The annual conservation report described below is the primary
tool that shall be used to monitor apparent water loss.
(5)
Leak detection and repair.
(A)
As described above, city/utility crews and personnel look for and
report evidence of leaks in the water distribution system. Areas of
the water distribution system in which numerous leaks and line breaks
occur are targeted for replacement as funds are available.
(B)
City utility staff adheres to the following steps for leak detection
in the city's distribution system:
(i)
City staff is cognizant of the need for visual inspections of water
lines and detecting leaks in the city's distribution system on an
ongoing basis.
(ii)
Leak-detection equipment is used to identify leaks in the city's
distribution system.
(iii)
Hydrants and valves in the distribution system are inspected
on a yearly basis.
(iv)
City staff inspects pipes, cleaning, lining and adheres to other
maintenance efforts to improve the distribution system and prevent
leaks and ruptures from occurring.
(v)
City conducts meter testing and repair/replacement as necessary.
(vi)
Meters are inspected on a monthly basis for leak detection.
Meters are replaced as the city's annual budget will allow.
(6)
Monitoring of effectiveness and efficiency - annual water conservation
report.
Appendix D to Ordinance 2017-11-20-01 includes
the TWDB-required water conservation program annual report, which
shall be filed annually with the TWDB. The state water code requires
that each entity that is required to submit a water conservation plan
to the TWDB or the TCEQ shall file an annual report to the TWDB on
the entity's progress in implementing each of the minimum requirements
in their water conservation plan. This requirement applies to those
entities receiving financial assistance of $500,000.00 or more from
the TWDB; entities with 3,300 connections or more; and those entities
that have a water right through TCEQ. Entities receiving financial
assistance from the TWDB are to maintain an approved water conservation
plan in effect until all financial obligations to the state have been
discharged and file a report with the TWDB on the progress in implementing
each of the minimum requirements in its water conservation plan and
the status of any of its customers' water conservation plans required
by contract, within one year after closing on the financial assistance
and annually thereafter until all financial obligations to the state
have been discharged.
(Ordinance 2017-11-20-01, app. A.
adopted 11/20/17)
The continuing public education and information campaign on
water conservation includes the following elements:
(1)
Include inserts on water conservation with water bills or mail outs
at least twice per year. Inserts will include material developed by
city staff and material obtained from the Texas Water Development
Board ("TWDB"), the TCEQ, and other sources.
(2)
Encourage local media coverage of water conservation issues and the
importance of water conservation.
(3)
Promote the Texas Smartscape website (vvww.txsmartscape.com) and
provide water conservation brochures and other water conservation
materials available to the public at city hall and other public places.
(4)
Make information on water conservation available online on the city
website, www.gunter.com including links to the Texas Smartscape website and to information
on water conservation on the TWDB and TCEQ websites and other resources.
(5)
Provide Major Rivers Program for 4th grade school curriculum in Gunter
ISD.
(6)
City will consider offering conservation presentations to local schools,
when requested, if staff is available.
(Ordinance 2017-11-20-01, app. A.
adopted 11/20/17)
With the intent of encouraging water conservation and discouraging
waste and excessive use of water, the city has adopted a nonpromotional
water rate structure designed so the price of water increases with
increasing water use.
|
Table 2. Volume Unit Charges
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Water User
|
Type/Volume
(gallons)
|
Volume Unit Charge
(1,000 gallons)
|
|
Residential
|
1,001–3,000
|
$3.32
|
|
|
3,001–6,000
|
$3.92
|
|
|
6,001–9,000
|
$4.26
|
|
|
9,001–12,000
|
$4.61
|
|
|
12,001–15,000
|
$4.97
|
|
|
15,001 and above
|
$5.34
|
(Ordinance 2017-11-20-01, app. A.
adopted 11/20/17)
(a)
Ordinances, plumbing codes, or rules on water-conserving fixtures.
The state has required water-conserving fixtures in new construction
and renovations since 1992. The state standards call for flows of
no more than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) for faucets, 2.5 gpm for
showerheads, and 1.6 gallons per flush for toilets. Similar standards
are now required nationally under federal law. These state and federal
standards assure that all new construction and renovations in the
city will use water-conserving fixtures.
(b)
Additional water conservation measures.
The following
water conservation measure is also included in the plan:
(1)
Water audits.
The city currently conducts water audits
as required by the TWDB.
(c)
Requirement for water conservation plans by wholesale customers.
The city does not currently have wholesale water customers.
However, every contract for the wholesale of water by customers 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 meeting the requirements of title
30, part 1, chapter 288, subchapter A, rule 288.2 of the Texas Administrative
Code. The requirement will also extend to each successive wholesale
customer in the resale of water.
(d)
Coordination with regional water planning group.
Appendix
G to Ordinance 2017-11-20-01 includes a letter to the chair of the
region C water planning group transmitting this water conservation
plan. The adopted ordinance and the adopted water utility profile
will be sent to the chair of the region C water planning group, with
a copy of the water conservation plan.
(Ordinance 2017-11-20-01, app. A.
adopted 11/20/17)
Appendix F to Ordinance 2017-11-20-01 contains a copy of the
ordinance adopted by the city council regarding the water conservation
plan.
(1)
Schedule for implementing the plan to achieve targets and goals.
Following is a schedule, to achieve the targets and goals for
water conservation:
(A)
Meters.
Meter replacement program:
(i)
Meters will continue to be monitored for accuracy annually and replaced on a fifteen-year cycle, or when accuracy cannot be maintained within ±10%. Also see section 13.09.005(2).
(C)
Materials developed to encourage water conservation measures, materials
obtained from the state water development board, state commission
on environmental quality or other sources will be mailed out semi-annually
(once in the spring and once in the summer) to all customers.
(D)
Water conserving pricing.
Rates shall continue to be
reviewed annually to insure water revenues exceed expenses and replacement
costs and to discourage excessive and wasteful use.
(E)
The leak detection program to reduce real water losses.
(i)
Inspections and soundings of all water main fittings and connections
to be conducted semi-annually.
(ii)
Pressure controlled to just above the standard-of-service level
by use of pressure zones.
(iii)
Pressure zones operated based on the topography.
(iv)
Surges in pressure limited by coordination with fire department.
(v)
Nighttime pressure reduced by pressure regulation when feasible.
(2)
Tracking of targets and goals.
City staff shall track
targets and goals by utilizing the following procedures:
(Ordinance 2017-11-20-01, app. A.
adopted 11/20/17)
The plan will be reviewed and restructured as required and as
appropriate based on new or updated information.
(Ordinance 2017-11-20-01, app. A.
adopted 11/20/17)
