(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.
(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 service area of the city is located within the state water
development board’s Houston Regional Water Planning Area (Region
H) and the city has provided a copy of this plan to TWDB Region H.
(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)
