(a)
The purpose of this drought contingency plan (the “plan”)
is to provide drought contingency measures for the city as required
by Upper Trinity Regional Water District (“UTRWD”). These
contingency measures may be needed during drought conditions, emergencies
at both city and/or UTRWD levels, and when water use approaches the
regional treated water system (“system”) supply or the
capacity of treatment and delivery facilities. Examples of drought
or emergency conditions include low levels of water supply lakes,
unusually high water demands, unforeseen equipment/system failure
or contamination of the water supply source at both city and/or UTRWD
levels.
(b)
The overall objective of this plan is:
(1)
To help assure reliability of water service to customers;
(2)
To conserve the available water supply in times of drought and emergency;
(3)
To maintain adequate water supplies for domestic use, sanitation,
and fire protection;
(4)
To protect and preserve public health, welfare, and safety;
(5)
To minimize the adverse impacts of water supply shortages; and
(6)
To minimize the adverse impacts of emergency conditions affecting
water supply.
(c)
Water uses regulated or prohibited under this plan are considered to be nonessential and continuation of such uses during times of water shortage or other emergency water supply condition are deemed to constitute a waste of water which subjects the offender(s) to penalties as defined in section 13.04.080 of this plan.
(Ordinance 2016-57 adopted 8/9/16)
Opportunity for the public to provide input into the preparation
of the plan was provided by the city by means of postings in public
places, and/or information provided by means of local newspapers.
(Ordinance 2016-57 adopted 8/9/16)
The city will periodically provide the public with information
about the plan, including information about the conditions under which
each stage of the plan is to be initiated or terminated and the drought
response measures to be implemented in each stage. This information
will be provided by means of local newspapers and published on the
city’s website as well.
(Ordinance 2016-57 adopted 8/9/16)
The service area of the city is located within the region C.
Upon revision of the plan the city will provide a copy of this plan
to region C; in which the city’s service area lies and the Upper
Trinity Regional Water District; the city’s wholesale water
supplier.
(Ordinance 2016-57 adopted 8/9/16)
The city manager is hereby authorized and directed to implement
the applicable provisions of this plan upon determination that such
implementation is necessary to protect public health, safety, and
welfare. The city manager, upon the mayor’s written approval,
shall have the authority to initiate or terminate drought or other
water supply emergency response measures as described in this plan.
(Ordinance 2016-57 adopted 8/9/16)
The provisions of this plan shall apply to all persons, customers,
and property utilizing water provided by the city. The terms “person”
and “customer” as used in the plan include individuals,
corporations, partnerships, associations, and all other legal entities.
(Ordinance 2016-57 adopted 8/9/16)
For the purposes of this plan, the following definitions shall
apply:
Water use for ornamental or decorative purposes such as fountains,
reflecting pools, and water gardens.
The City of Celina, Texas.
The manager or the manager’s designated representative.
Water use which is integral to the operations of commercial
and nonprofit establishments and governmental entities such as retail
establishments, hotels and motels, restaurants, and office buildings.
Those practices, techniques, and technologies that reduce
the consumption of water, reduce the loss or waste of water, improve
the efficiency in the use of water or increase the recycling and reuse
of water so that a supply is conserved and made available for future
or alternative uses.
Any person, company, or organization using water supplied
by the city.
Water use for personal needs or for household or sanitary
purposes such as drinking, bathing, heating, cooking, sanitation,
or for cleaning a residence, business, industry, or institution.
Generally a lack of adequate water to supply needs or replenish
supplies used.
Street addresses, box numbers, or rural postal route numbers
ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 and locations without addresses.
The residential premises served by the customer’s meter.
The use of water in processes designed to convert materials
of lower value into forms having greater usability and value.
Water used for the irrigation and maintenance of landscaped
areas, whether publicly or privately owned, including residential
and commercial lawns, gardens, golf courses, parks, and rights-of-way
and medians.
Water uses that are not essential nor required for the protection
of public, health, safety, and welfare, including:
Irrigation of landscape areas, including parks, athletic fields,
and golf courses, except otherwise provided under this plan.
Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer,
airplane or other vehicle.
Use of water to wash down any sidewalks, walkways, driveways,
parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced area other than
for the purpose of firefighting.
Use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes
other than immediate fire protection.
Flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in
any gutter or street.
Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor
swimming pools, wading pools, Jacuzzis and hot tubs which is not to
maintain their structural integrity, proper operation and maintenance
or to alleviate a public safety risk.
Use of water in a fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes
except where necessary to support aquatic life.
Failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable
period after having been given notice directing the repair of such
leak(s).
Use of water from hydrants for construction purposes or any
other purposes other than firefighting.
Use of water for dust control.
Street addresses, box numbers, or rural postal route numbers
ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9.
Those persons currently physically residing at the premises
and expected to reside there for the entire billing period.
Limiting the amount of water that can be used.
Limiting how and when water may be used.
The Upper Trinity Water District.
(Ordinance 2016-57 adopted 8/9/16)
(a)
Initiation of drought response.
The city manager may
order the implementation of a drought response stage or water emergency
when one or more of the trigger conditions for that stage is met as
provided in this plan. The following actions will be taken when a
drought response stage is initiated:
(b)
Termination of a drought response stages.
The city manager
may order the termination of a drought response stage or water emergency
when the conditions for termination are met as provided herein. The
following actions will be taken when a drought response stage is terminated:
(c)
Drought and emergency response stages.
(1)
Stage 1 - Water watch.
(A)
Requirements for initiation.
The following are
key conditions, any one of which may trigger this stage:
(i)
Water demand is approaching a level that will cause a reduced
delivery capacity for all or part of the supply system, as determined
by city;
(ii)
Water demand has reached or exceeded 80% of delivery capacity
for three consecutive days;
(iii)
Major repairs on storage tanks (elevated and underground) lasting
more than twenty-four hours;
(iv)
Water system failure/emergency (equipment failure, water main
breaks/cuts, power outages) lasting more than twenty-four hours;
(v)
Wholesale water supplier has initiated stage 1 and given notice
to the city; or
(vi)
Supply source contamination.
(B)
Goal.
Stage 1 is intended to raise customers’
awareness of potential drought and/or water emergency problems. The
goal for water use reduction under stage 1 is ten percent (10%) of
total daily water use that otherwise would have occurred in the absence
of these drought contingency measures.
(C)
Water use restrictions for reducing demand.
Specific
measures to be implemented during the stage will be determined by
the city manager and may also take other actions not listed if deemed
necessary.
(i)
Outdoor irrigation is limited to no more than two-days-per-week
and is mandatory under this water watch stage for automatic irrigation
systems and hose-end sprinklers. Irrigation of landscaped areas and
building foundations is permitted at any time if it is by means of
a handheld hose, drip irrigation or soaker hose systems.
(ii)
The time-of-day and other factors affecting landscape irrigation
included in the water conservation plan becomes mandatory in this
stage. No outdoor watering with automatic irrigation systems and hose-end
sprinklers can occur from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Irrigation of landscaped
areas and building foundations is permitted at any time if it is by
means of a hand-held hose, drip irrigation or soaker hose systems.
(iii)
Even-numbered addresses and odd-numbered addresses are encouraged
to irrigate on even and odd days of the month respectively with the
irrigation limited to fifteen (15) minutes per station two days per
week.
(iv)
Washing of any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane
or other vehicle shall be restricted to the use of a hand-held bucket
or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick
rinses. Vehicle washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises
of a commercial carwash facility or commercial service station. Companies
with an automated on-site vehicle washing facility may wash its vehicles
at any time.
(v)
All customers are encouraged to reduce the frequency of draining
and refilling swimming pools.
(vi)
No filling or refilling of ornamental fountains and ponds.
(vii)
The city will review operational conditions and capabilities,
and intensify efforts on leaks detection and repairs;
(viii)
The city shall initiate appropriate elements
of UTRWD measures if stage 1 was initiated by the wholesale water
supplier.
(ix)
Water customers are requested to voluntarily reduce their water
use, the irrigation of landscaped areas as follows: [sic]
(D)
Termination.
Stage 1 may be rescinded when the
circumstances that caused its initiation no longer prevail.
(2)
Stage 2 - Water warning.
(A)
Requirements for initiation.
(i)
Water demand has reached or exceeded 85% of delivery capacity
for three consecutive days;
(ii)
Water demand is approaching a level that will cause a reduced
delivery capacity for all or part of the supply system, as determined
by city;
(iii)
Major repairs on storage tanks (elevated and underground) lasting
more than two days;
(iv)
The supply system is unable to deliver water at normal rates
due to failure of, or damage to, major water supply system components;
(v)
A significant deterioration in the quality of a water supply,
being affected by a natural or manmade source;
(vi)
The city manager with concurrence of the public works department
finds that conditions warrant the declaration of stage 2; or
(vii)
The wholesale water supplier has initiated stage 2 and given
notice to the city.
(B)
Goal.
The goal for water use reduction under stage
2 is twenty percent (20%) of the total daily water use that otherwise
would have occurred in the absence of these drought contingency measures.
(C)
Water use restrictions for demand reduction.
Specific
measures to be implemented during this stage will be determined by
the city manager and may also take other actions not listed, if deemed
necessary. All requirements of stage 1 shall remain in effect during
this stage 2, plus the following incremental or new measures.
(i)
Outdoor irrigation is limited to no more than one-day-per-week
and is mandatory under this water warning stage for automatic irrigation
systems and hose-end sprinklers. This includes irrigation of landscaped
areas with automatic irrigation systems and hose-end sprinklers. Irrigation
of landscaped areas and building foundations is permitted at any time
if it is by means of a hand-held hose, drip irrigation or soaker hose
systems.
(ii)
Even-numbered addresses and odd-numbered addresses are encouraged
to irrigate on even and odd days of the month respectively with the
irrigation limited to ten (10) minutes per station once a week.
(iii)
Recreational water use (water used for leisure and entertainment
purposes) including use of faucets or hoses in such a manner that
creates runoff or other wastes shall be prohibited.
(iv)
All customers are encouraged to further reduce the frequency
of draining and refilling of swimming pools.
(v)
City will further accelerate education efforts on ways to reduce
water use.
(vi)
High alert for leak detection and repair activities on supply
facilities.
(vii)
Customers are encouraged to wait until the current drought or
water emergency situation has passed before establishing new landscaping.
(viii)
Use of water from hydrants shall be limited
to firefighting related activities, or other activities necessary
to maintain public health, safety, and welfare.
(ix)
Use of water from designated fire hydrants for construction
purposes unless allowed under special permit from the city shall be
prohibited.
(x)
Use of water for the irrigation of golf course greens, tee boxes,
and fairways is prohibited. However, if the golf course utilizes a
water source other than that provided by the city, the facility shall
not be subject to these regulations.
(xi)
All restaurants are prohibited from serving water to its patrons
except when requested.
(D)
Termination.
Stage 2 may terminate when the circumstances
that caused its initiation no longer prevail. Upon termination of
stage 2, stage 1 will remain in effect, unless otherwise announced
by the city.
(3)
Stage 3 - Water emergency.
(A)
Requirements for initiation.
The following are
key conditions, any one of which may trigger stage 3:
(i)
Water demand has reached or exceeded 90% of delivery capacity
for three consecutive days;
(ii)
Water demand is approaching a level that will cause a reduced
delivery capacity for all or part of the supply system, as determined
by city;
(iii)
Major repairs on storage tanks (elevated and underground) lasting
more than five days;
(iv)
The supply system is unable to deliver water at normal rates
due to failure of, or damage to, major water supply system components;
(v)
A significant deterioration in the quality of a water supply,
being affected by a natural or manmade source;
(vi)
The city manager with concurrence of the public works department
finds that conditions warrant the declaration of stage 3; or
(vii)
The wholesale water supplier has initiated stage 3 and given
notice to the city.
(B)
Goal.
The goal for water use reduction under stage
3 is forty percent (40%) of the total daily water use that otherwise
would have occurred in the absence of these drought contingency measures.
(C)
Water use restrictions for reducing demand.
Specific
measures to be implemented during this stage will be determined by
the city manager and may also take other actions not listed, if deemed
necessary. All requirements of stages 1 and 2 shall remain in effect
during this stage 3, plus the following incremental or new measures.
Mandatory reduction measures include:
(i)
Nonessential water use by customer is substantially restricted;
(ii)
City shall suspend issuance of permits for new swimming pools,
hot tubs, spas and ornamental ponds;
(iii)
City shall step up enforcement activities;
(iv)
Outdoor irrigation is prohibited;
(v)
Irrigation of trees and building foundations is permitted one
day per week and between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. if it is by means
of a hand-held hose, drip irrigation or soaker hose systems;
(vi)
Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer
or other vehicle not occurring on the premises of a commercial vehicle
wash facility or commercial service stations is prohibited. Further,
such washing may be exempt from these requirements if the health,
safety and welfare of the public are contingent upon frequent vehicle
cleansing, such as garbage trucks and commercial vehicles used to
transport food and perishables;
(vii)
Filling, draining, and refilling of existing swimming pools,
wading pools, Jacuzzis and hot tubs except to maintain structural
integrity, proper operation and maintenance or to alleviate a public
safety risk is prohibited. Existing pools may add water to or replace
losses from normal use and evaporation;
(viii)
Hosing and washing of paved areas, buildings,
structures, windows or other surfaces is prohibited except by variance
and performed by a professional service using high efficiency equipment;
(ix)
Operation of ornamental fountains or ponds that use potable
water except where supporting aquatic life or water quality is prohibited;
or
(x)
Landscape watering of parks, golf courses, and athletic fields
with potable water is prohibited. Exception for golf course greens
and tee boxes which may be hand watered as needed. Variances may be
granted by the city under special circumstances.
(D)
Termination.
Stage 3 may terminate when the circumstances
that caused its initiation of stage 3 no longer prevail. Upon termination
of stage 3, stage 2 will remain in effect, unless otherwise provided
by Upper Trinity.
(Ordinance 2016-57 adopted 8/9/16)
In the event that water shortage conditions threaten public
health, safety, and welfare, the city manager upon the mayor’s
written approval, is hereby authorized to ration water according to
the following water allocation plan:
(1)
Single-family residential customers.
(A)
The allocation to residential water customers residing in a single-family
dwelling shall be as follows:
|
Persons per Household
|
Gallons per Month
|
|---|---|
|
1 or 2
|
6,000
|
|
3 or 4
|
7,000
|
|
5 or 6
|
8,000
|
|
7 or 8
|
9,000
|
|
9 or 10
|
10,000
|
|
11 or more
|
12,000
|
(B)
It shall be assumed that a particular customer’s household
is comprised of two (2) persons unless the customer notifies the city
of a greater number of persons per household on a form prescribed
by the city manager. The city manager shall give his/her best effort
to see that such forms are mailed, otherwise provided, or made available
to every residential customer. If however, a customer does not receive
such a form, it shall be the customer’s responsibility to go
to the city offices to complete and sign the form claiming more than
two persons per household. New customers may claim more persons per
household at the time of applying for water service on the form prescribed
by the city manager.
(C)
When the number of persons per household increases so as to place
the customer in a different allocation category, the customer may
notify the city on such form and the change will be implemented in
the next practical billing period. If the number of persons in a household
is reduced, the customer shall notify the city in writing within two
(2) working days. In prescribing the method for claiming more than
two persons per household, the city manager shall adopt methods to
insure the accuracy of the claim. Any person who knowingly, recklessly,
or with criminal negligence falsely reports the number of persons
in a household or fails to timely notify the city of a reduction in
the number of person in a household shall be fined upon conviction.
(2)
Master-metered multifamily residential customers.
(A)
The allocation to a customer billed from a master meter which jointly
measures water to multiple permanent residential dwelling units (e.g.,
apartments, mobile homes) shall be allocated 6,000 gallons per month
for each dwelling unit. It shall be assumed that such a customer’s
meter serves two dwelling units unless the customer notifies the city
of a greater number on a form prescribed by the city manager. The
city manager shall give his/her best effort to see that such forms
are mailed, otherwise provided, or made available to every such customer.
If however, a customer does not receive such a form, it shall be the
customer’s responsibility to go to the city offices to complete
and sign the form claiming more than two dwellings.
(B)
A dwelling unit may be claimed under this provision whether it is
occupied or not. New customers may claim more dwelling units at the
time of applying for water service on the form prescribed by the city
manager. If the number of dwelling units served by a master meter
is reduced, the customer shall notify the city in writing within two
(2) working days. In prescribing the method for claiming more than
two (2) dwelling units, the city manager shall adopt methods to insure
the accuracy of the claim.
(C)
Any person who knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence
falsely reports the number of dwelling units served by a master meter
or fails to timely notify the city of a reduction in the number of
dwelling units shall be fined upon conviction.
(3)
Commercial/industrial customers.
(A)
Commercial/industrial customers are not exempt from water emergency
restrictions and shall limit water usage. The director of public works/water
superintendent shall contact such customers to establish an acceptable
water allocation which may include hourly or daily restrictions.
(B)
Nonresidential (commercial/industrial) customers shall pay the following
surcharges: Surcharges are $4.50 for the first 50,000 gallons over
allocation; $8.50 for each 1,000 gallons thereafter.
(Ordinance 2016-57 adopted 8/9/16)
(a)
A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or unknowingly
allows the use of water from the city for residential, commercial,
industrial, agricultural, governmental, or any other purpose in a
manner contrary to any provision of this plan, or in an amount in
excess of that permitted by the drought response stage in effect at
the time pursuant to action taken by city manager, in accordance with
provisions of this plan.
(b)
Any person who violates this plan is guilty of a misdemeanor and,
upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500.00
and not more than $2,000.00. Each day that one or more of the provisions
in this plan is violated shall constitute a separate offense. If a
person is convicted of three or more distinct violations of this plan,
the city manager shall, upon due notice to the customer, be authorized
to discontinue water service to the premises where such violations
occur. Services discontinued under such circumstances shall be restored
only upon payment of a re-connection charge, hereby established at
$25.00, and any other costs incurred by the city in discontinuing
service. in addition, suitable assurance must be given to the city
manager that the same action shall not be repeated while the plan
is in effect. Compliance with this plan may also be sought through
injunctive relief in the appropriate court.
(c)
Any person, including a person classified as a water customer of
the city, in apparent control of the property where a violation occurs
or originates shall be presumed to be the violator, and proof that
the violation occurred on the person’s property shall constitute
a rebuttable presumption that the person in apparent control of the
property committed the violation, but any such person shall have the
right to show that he/she did not commit the violation. Parents shall
be presumed to be responsible for violations of their minor children
and proof that a violation, committed by a child, occurred on property
within the parents’ control shall constitute a rebuttable presumption
that the parent committed the violation, but any such parent may be
excused if he/she proves that he/she had previously directed the child
not to use the water as it was used in violation of this plan and
that the parent could not have reasonably known of the violation.
(d)
Any employee of the city, police officer, or other employee designated
by the city manager, may issue a citation to a person he/she reasonably
believes to be in violation of this division. The citation shall be
prepared in duplicate and shall contain the name and address of the
alleged violator, if known, the offense charged, and shall direct
him/her to appear in the city municipal court on the date shown on
the citation. A summons to appear may be issued in lieu of an arrest
warrant.
(Ordinance 2016-57 adopted 8/9/16)
(a)
The public works director/water superintendent or his/her designee,
may, in writing, grant a temporary variance for existing water uses
otherwise prohibited under this plan if it is determined that failure
to grant such variance would cause an emergency condition adversely
affecting the health, sanitation, or fire protection for the public
or the person requesting such variance and if one or more of the following
conditions are met:
(b)
Person(s) requesting an exemption from the provisions of this division
shall file a petition for variance with the city within 5 days after
the plan or a particular drought response stage has been invoked.
All petitions for variances shall be reviewed by the public works
director/water Superintendent, or his/her designee, and shall include
the following:
(1)
Name and address of the petitioner(s).
(2)
Purpose of water use.
(3)
Specific provision(s) of the plan front which the petitioner is requesting
relief.
(4)
Detailed statement as to how the specific provision of the plan adversely
affects the petitioner or what damage or harm will occur to the petitioner
or others if petitioner complies with this division.
(5)
Description of the relief requested.
(6)
Period of time for which the variance is sought.
(7)
Alternative water use restrictions or other measures the petitioner
is taking or proposes to take to meet the intent of this plan and
the compliance date.
(8)
Other pertinent information.
(c)
Variances granted by the city shall be subject to the following conditions,
unless waived or modified by the public works director/water superintendent
or his/her designee:
(d)
No variance shall be retroactive or otherwise justify any violation
of this plan occurring prior to the issuance of the variance.
(Ordinance 2016-57 adopted 8/9/16)
(a)
The city shall notify the executive director of the Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Upper Trinity Regional Water
District (UTRWD) when any mandatory provisions of this plan are implemented.
(b)
Upper Trinity Regional Water District shall also be notified of any
voluntary provisions of the plan that are implemented.
(Ordinance 2016-57 adopted 8/9/16)
