(a) 
The city has implemented this water conservation plan in accordance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Administrative Code, title 30, chapter 288. The provisions of chapter 288 require the city to develop, submit, and implement a water conservation plan to minimize municipal water use through implementation of efficient water use practices. The city has followed these guidelines set forth by the TCEQ in preparing this document for municipal uses.
(b) 
The TCEQ requires a water conservation plan to include the following:
(1) 
Utility profile.
(2) 
Conservation coordinator.
(3) 
Water conservation goals.
(4) 
Tracking targets and goals.
(5) 
Production meters.
(6) 
Program for universal metering.
(7) 
Water loss control program.
(8) 
Leak detection program.
(9) 
Public education and information program.
(10) 
Water rate structure.
(11) 
Wholesale or contract.
(12) 
Documentation of coordination with the regional water planning groups.
(c) 
Additional water conservation strategies may be implemented in order to achieve the stated water conservation goals of the plan.
(Ordinance 20-876, sec. 2, adopted 7/9/20)
Utility profile data for the city is provided in appendix A attached to Ordinance 20-876. Appendix A includes data regarding existing and projected population, number of connections, water production, metered water usage, and utility system information. Note: This information was submitted online only.
(Ordinance 20-876, sec. 2, adopted 7/9/20)
The city’s public works director is designated as the water conservation coordinator and is responsible for implementing the water conservation plan.
(Ordinance 20-876, sec. 2, adopted 7/9/20)
(a) 
The goal of the plan is to continue to reduce the quantity of water consumed per-capita and to continue to reduce unaccounted water loss. The plan includes strategies to reduce per-capita water consumption of its citizens and city facilities by using water-conserving fixtures and by encouraging conservation habits.
(b) 
If the goals are attained, it should reduce the city’s seasonal water consumption peaks. The demand reduction goals developed in this plan are shown on table 1.1 below. Included in the table are the projected five (5) and ten (10) year goals for reducing water consumption and system leakage.
Table 1.1. Projected Water Conservation Goal 
Description
Units
2018 Actual
2024 Projected
2029 Projected
Population
 
15,616
17,375
19,030
Total water use
Gallons per day per capita
166
170
165
Unaccounted-for water loss
Percent (%)
10.2%
10%
10%
(Ordinance 20-876, sec. 2, adopted 7/9/20)
(a) 
Water production metering.
The city has 5 water supply wells and a contract to purchase surface water from the City of Houston to meet the city’s groundwater reduction plan. The city provides all its water to customers on a supply and demand basis. The City of Houston meters the water produced at the surface water treatment plant and delivered to the City of Humble, and the city meters flow from each of its groundwater supply wells.
(b) 
Universal metering and meter testing/replacement.
(1) 
Metering the amount of water being used by customers is an essential part of any water utility. Metering accounts for the amount of water being used and also helps to curb the misuse of water. All customer water use is metered, and it is unlawful to use water from the city’s water supply without it being metered by a city-owned water meter.
(2) 
Currently in place at the city is a regularly scheduled maintenance program of water meter testing, repair, and replacement in accordance with the following time intervals:
(A) 
Water well production meters and the City of Houston surface water supply master meters are tested once per year.
(B) 
Customer meters larger than three inches are tested once per year.
(C) 
Customer meters larger than one-inch, but less than three-inch, are tested once every five years.
(D) 
Meters one-inch and smaller are tested as needed.
(3) 
The city typically replaces small residential meters based on abnormally high or low registered water usage, and when the meter register appears broken or damaged.
(c) 
Determination and control of water loss.
(1) 
Unaccounted-for water is the difference in volume between the water produced at the water production plants and the water measured at the point of delivery to water users. Unaccounted-for water can include several categories:
(A) 
Inaccuracies in meters.
(B) 
Water service meters to customers which are in use but are not in the billing and accounting system by error.
(C) 
Losses due to water main breaks and leaks in the water distribution system.
(D) 
Losses due to illegal connections and theft.
(E) 
Unmetered water used for firefighting.
(2) 
Measures to control unaccounted-for water are part of the routine operations of city maintenance personnel. Maintenance crews and personnel are asked to look for and report evidence of leaks in the water distribution system. The leak detection and repair program is described in subsection (d) of this section.
(3) 
With the measures described in this plan, the city intends to reduce water loss. The annual TWDB water use survey and water loss audit reports are tools used by the city to monitor water loss.
(d) 
Leak detection and repair.
The city is responsible for the water distribution system, and monitors water consumption. City personnel are on watch for water leaks, defective fire hydrants, abandoned services, and unmetered water usage. The city will estimate water used for line flushing and other municipal uses. The city will watch for inaccurate or leaking meters, illegal hook-ups, and unauthorized use of fire hydrants. Once water leaks are detected, corrective repairs will be undertaken in a timely manner.
(e) 
Public education.
In recognition of public participation in water conservation, city water users will be provided materials on methods to save water. The city will provide public education programs using one or more of the following methods:
(1) 
Public and civic organization meetings.
(2) 
Publish articles in water bills concerning water conservation (published before the city’s high usage season).
(3) 
Posters and public displays.
(4) 
School programs, book cover distribution, and participation in the Water Wise Program.
(5) 
New customer water conservation information to be given to new customers upon new service installation. This will also be provided to customers that complain of high water usage.
(6) 
Conservation literature and brochures will be displayed at city hall and public works.
(7) 
Information posted on the city’s website.
(f) 
Water rate structure.
The city maintains a water rate structure which is not “promotional.” The schedule of monthly rates and charges for water services furnished by the city to its water customers is in appendix B attached to Ordinance 20-876.
(g) 
Wholesale water supply contracts.
Every contract for wholesale water by the city 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 228.2 of the Texas Administrative Code. The requirement will also extend to each successive wholesale customer in the resale of the water.
(h) 
Water reuse/recycling.
The city reuses water at its wastewater treatment plant for various process water needs (belt filter press, chemical feed, spraying, etc.). The city currently does not recycle treated wastewater effluent to customers at the present time.
(i) 
Water conservation plumbing fixtures.
(1) 
The city will make information available through its public education program (subsection (e) of this section) for plumbers and customers to utilize when purchasing and installing plumbing fixtures, lawn watering equipment or water-using appliances. Information regarding retrofit devices, such as low-flow showerheads or toilet dams that reduce water usage by replacing or modifying existing fixtures or appliances is provided.
(2) 
The city will also encourage the use of the following water-conserving devices:
(A) 
Toilet displacement bottles.
(B) 
Water closet dams.
(C) 
Flow restrictors.
(D) 
Reduced flow shower heads.
(E) 
Shower cutoff valves.
(F) 
Faucet aerators.
(G) 
Pipe insulation.
(j) 
Water conservation landscaping.
(1) 
When issuing building permits, the city will encourage:
(A) 
Landscape architects to recommend low-watering-need plants and grasses, as well as timed irrigation systems in preparing a site and facility plans.
(B) 
Nurseries and local businesses to suggest plants and grasses that require little watering and including efficient landscape watering devices.
(C) 
Residential property owners to require sprinkler system companies to design and construct water-conserving systems.
(2) 
In order to reduce demand on the city’s water system by landscape watering, the city encourages:
(A) 
Irrigation contractors to use drip irrigation systems when possible and to design all irrigation systems with water conservation features, such as sprinklers that emit large drops rather than a fine mist and a sprinkler layout that accommodates prevailing wind direction.
(B) 
Commercial establishments to use drip irrigation for landscape watering when possible and to install only ornamental fountains that recycle and use the minimum amount of water.
(C) 
Prohibiting irrigation systems that spray directly onto impervious surfaces or onto other non-irrigated areas.
(D) 
Requirements that all new irrigation systems be in compliance with state design and installation regulations (TAC title 30, part 1, chapter 344).
(Ordinance 20-876, sec. 2, adopted 7/9/20)
The city water conservation plan appendices are attached to Ordinance 20-876 as exhibit A and are made part of this division, save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended, and to the same extent are hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein, and the provisions thereof shall be controlling, and the same are hereby adopted as the official policy of the city.
(Ordinance 20-876, sec. 2, adopted 7/9/20)