(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 have 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 NTMWD and its member cities and 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
and drought contingency plans for public water suppliers. The best
management practices established by the Water Conservation Implementation
Task Force, established pursuant to SB1094 by the 78th Legislature,
were also considered in the development of the water conservation
measures. The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) also developed
a model water conservation plan for its member cities and customers
following TCEQ guidelines and requirements. The town’s water
conservation plan was developed in concert with that model and with
the NTMWD’s own water conservation plan.
(c)
This plan includes measures that are intended to result in ongoing,
long-term water savings. The drought contingency and water emergency
response plan addresses strategies designed to temporarily reduce
water use in response to specific conditions. The objectives of this
model 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; and
(6)
To preserve supplies for essential uses under drought or water emergency
conditions.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. A, adopted 5/7/13)
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. 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:
(A)
288.2(a)(1)(A): Utility profile.
(B)
288.2(a)(1)(B): Specification of goals.
(C)
288.2(a)(1)(C): Specific, quantified goals.
(D)
288.2(a)(1)(D): Accurate metering.
(E)
288.2(a)(1)(E): Universal metering.
(F)
288.2(a)(1)(F): Determination and control of unaccounted water.
(G)
288.2(a)(1)(G): Public education and information program.
(H)
288.2(a)(1)(H): Nonpromotional water rate structure.
(I)
288.2(a)(1)(I): Reservoir system operation plan.
(J)
288.2(a)(1)(J): Means of implementation and enforcement.
(K)
288.2(a)(1)(K): Coordination with regional water planning group.
(L)
288.2(c): Review and update of plan.
(2)
Conservation additional requirements (population over 5,000).
The Texas Administrative Code includes additional requirements
for water conservation plans for drinking water supplies serving a
population over 5,000:
(3)
Additional conservation strategies.
The TCEQ requires that a water conservation implementation report be completed and submitted on an annual basis. This report is included in appendix A to Ordinance 2013-5-7B.
(A)
In addition to the TCEQ required water conservation strategies, the
NTMWD also requires the following strategy:
(i)
288.2(a)(3)(F): Considerations for landscape water management regulations.
(B)
TCEQ rules also include optional, but not required, conservation
strategies, which may be adopted by suppliers. The NTMWD recommends
that the following strategies:
(i)
288.2(a)(3)(A): Conservation oriented water rates.
(ii)
288.2(a)(3)(B): Ordinances, plumbing codes or rules on water-conserving
fixtures.
(iii)
288.2(a)(3)(C): Replacement or retrofit of water-conserving
plumbing fixtures.
(iv)
288.2(a)(3)(D): Reuse and recycling of wastewater.
(v)
288.2(a)(3)(F): Considerations for landscape water management regulations.
(vi)
288.2(a)(3)(G): Monitoring method.
(vii)
288.2(a)(3)(H): Additional conservation ordinance provisions.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. A, adopted 5/7/13)
Appendix B to this water conservation plan attached to Ordinance 2013-5-7B is based on the format recommended by the TCEQ for a water utility profile. In adopting this plan, the town will provide a draft utility profile to NTMWD for review and comment. A final water utility profile will be provided to NTMWD upon adoption of and any updates to this plan.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. A, adopted 5/7/13)
TCEQ rules require the adoption of specific water conservation
goals for a water conservation plan. The goals for this water conservation
plan include the following:
(1)
Maintain the per capita municipal water use below the specified amount
in gallons per capita per day in a dry year, as shown in the completed
table 4.1.
(2)
Maintain the level of unaccounted water in the system below twelve
percent annually in 2013 and subsequent years.
(3)
Implement and maintain a program of universal metering and meter
replacement and repair.
(4)
Increase efficient water usage through a water conservation ordinance,
order or resolution. (This ordinance is required by the NTMWD.)
(5)
Decrease waste in lawn irrigation by implementation and enforcement
of landscape water management regulations.
(6)
Raise public awareness of water conservation and encourage responsible
public behavior by a public education and information program.
(7)
Develop a system specific strategy to conserve water during peak
demands, thereby reducing the peak use.
|
Table 4.1
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Five-Year and Ten-Year Municipal Per Capita Water Use Goals
(gpcd)
| |||
|
Description
|
Current Average
(gpcd)
|
5-Year Goal
(gcpd)
|
10-Year Goal
(gpcd)
|
|
Current 5-year average per capita municipal use with credit
for reuse
|
268
|
262
|
255
|
|
Expected reduction due to low-flow plumbing fixtures
|
|
|
|
|
Projected reduction due to elements in this plan
|
|
|
|
|
Water conservation goals (with credit for reuse)
|
|
|
|
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. A, adopted 5/7/13)
One of the key elements of water conservation is tracking water
use and controlling losses caused by illegal diversions and leaks.
It is important to carefully meter water use, detect and repair leaks
in the distribution system and provide regular monitoring of unaccounted
water.
(1)
Accurate metering of treated water deliveries from NTMWD.
Water deliveries from NTMWD are metered by NTMWD using meters with
accuracy of ±2%. These meters are calibrated on a monthly basis
by NTMWD to maintain the required accuracy.
(2)
Metering of customer and public uses and meter testing, repair, and
replacement.
(A)
The provision of water to all customers, including public and governmental
users, should be metered. The town already meters all residential,
retail, wholesale water users all internal water uses, parks, town
facilities, special uses, firefighting and training, (where practical),
etc.
(B)
Prior to 2008 the town replaced a large percentage of its meters.
Going forward, all customer meters should be replaced at least every
fifteen years, and the town shall maintain all records necessary to
ensure said replacements are completed in a timely manner.
(3)
Record management system.
As required by TAC title 30,
part 1, chapter 288, subchapter A, rule 288.2(a)(2)(B), the town’s
record management system allows for the separation of water sales
and uses into residential, commercial, public/institutional, and industrial
categories. This information shall be included in an annual water
conservation report.
(4)
Determination and control of unaccounted water.
(A)
Unaccounted water is the difference between water delivered to the
town from NTMWD (and other supplies, if applicable) and metered water
sales to customers plus authorized but unmetered uses. (Authorized
but unmetered uses include use for firefighting, releases for flushing
of lines, uses associated with new construction, etc.) Unaccounted
water can include several categories:
(B)
Measures to control unaccounted water shall be a part of the routine
operations of the town’s utility department. Maintenance crews
and personnel shall look for and report evidence of leaks in the water
distribution system. Meter readers shall 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 appendix B, to Ordinance 2013-5-7B. With the measures described in this plan, the town hopes to maintain unaccounted water below twelve percent. If unaccounted water exceeds this goal, the town shall consider implementing a more intensive audit to determine the source(s) of and reduce the unaccounted water. The annual conservation report is the primary tool that shall be used to monitor unaccounted water.
(5)
Leak detection and repair.
As described above, town
crews and personnel shall 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 shall be targeted for
replacement as funds are available.
(6)
Monitoring of effectiveness and efficiency; annual water conservation
report.
Appendix C, to Ordinance 2013-5-7B, shall be used in the development of an annual water conservation report by the town. This form shall be completed by March 31st of each year and used to monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of the water conservation program and to plan conservation-related activities for the next year. The form records the water use by category, per capita municipal use, and unaccounted water for the current year, and compares them to historical values. The annual water conservation report shall be sent to NTMWD, which will monitor water conservation trends.
(7)
Water conservation implementation report.
Appendix A, to Ordinance 2013-5-7B, includes the TCEQ-required water conservation implementation report. The report is due to the TCEQ by May 1st of each year. This report lists the various water conservation strategies that have been implemented, including the date the strategy was implemented. The report also updates the status of the five-year and ten-year per capita water use goals from the previous water conservation plan.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. A, adopted 5/7/13)
The town’s continuing public education and information
campaign on water conservation includes the following elements:
(1)
Utilize the “Water IQ: Know Your Water” and other public
education materials produced by the NTMWD.
(2)
Insert water conservation information with water bills. Inserts will
include material developed by town staff and material obtained from
the TWDB, the TCEQ, and other sources.
(3)
Encourage local media coverage of water conservation issues and the
importance of water conservation.
(4)
Notify local organizations, schools, and civic groups that town staff
and staff of the NTMWD are available to make presentations on the
importance of water conservation and ways to save water.
(5)
Promote the Texas Smartscape website (www.txsmartscape.com)
and provide water conservation brochures and other water conservation
materials available to the public at town hall and other public places.
(6)
Make information on water conservation available on the town website
and include links to the “Water IQ: Know Your Water” website,
Texas Smartscape website, and to information on water conservation
on the TWDB and TCEQ websites and other resources.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. A, adopted 5/7/13)
The town utilizes, an increasing block rate water structure
intended to encourage water conservation and discourage excessive
use and waste of water. Current rates are as follows:
(1)
Residential.
(A)
First 2,000 gallons: $12.24 per 1,000 gallons.
(B)
2,001–10,000 gallons: $2.67 per 1,000 gallons.
(C)
10,001–20,000 gallons: $3.12 per 1,000 gallons.
(D)
20,001–30,000 gallons: $3.39 per 1,000 gallons.
(E)
Over 30,000 gallons: $4.24 per 1,000 gallons.
(F)
40,001 and up gallons: $6.00 per 1,000 gallons.
(3)
Hydro mulch (or other portable water meters).
$53.00
minimum per job plus commercial rates per gallon.
(4)
High use water conservation surcharge.
Water connections
that use more than 40,000 gallons of water in any one month shall
be assessed a surcharge of $2.45 for every 1,000 gallons over 40,000.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. A, adopted 5/7/13)
(a)
NTMWD system operation plan.
The town purchases treated
water from NTMWD and does not have surface water supplies for which
to implement a system operation plan. NTMWD’s permits do allow
some coordinated operation of its water supply sources, and NTMWD
is seeking additional water rights for coordinated operation to optimize
its available water supplies.
(b)
Reuse and recycling of wastewater.
The town neither
owns nor operates a wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater is treated
by NTMWD, which has the largest wastewater reuse program in the state.
NTMWD has water rights allowing reuse of up to 71,882 acre-feet per
year of this treated wastewater through Lake Lavon for municipal purposes.
In addition, NTMWD has also developed the East Fork Raw Water Supply
Project which can divert up to 157,393 acre-feet per year based on
treated wastewater discharges by the NTMWD. When fully developed,
these two reuse projects will provide up to 44 percent of the NTMWD’s
currently permitted water supplies. NTMWD also provides treated effluent
from its wastewater treatment plants available for direct reuse for
landscape irrigation and industrial use.
(c)
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, 3.0 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 will use
water-conserving fixtures.
(d)
Landscape water management measures.
The following landscape
water management measures are required by the NTMWD. These minimal
measures are hereby adopted as part of the town’s plan in order
to appropriately irrigate landscaping:
(1)
Time of day restrictions prohibiting lawn irrigation watering from
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from April 1st to October 31st of each year.
(2)
Prohibition of watering of impervious surfaces.
(3)
Prohibition of outdoor watering during precipitation or freeze events.
(4)
Lawn and landscape irrigation limited to twice per week.
(5)
Prohibiting the use of treated water to fill or refill residential,
amenity, and any other natural or manmade ponds. A pond is considered
to be a still body of water with a surface area of 500 square feet
or more.
(6)
Rain and freeze sensors and/or ET or Smart controllers required on
all new irrigation systems. Rain and freeze sensors and/or ET or Smart
controllers must be maintained to function properly.
(7)
“At home” carwashing can be done only when using a water
hose with a shut-off nozzle.
(8)
The town is responsible for developing regulations, ordinances, policies,
or procedures for enforcement of water conservation guidelines.
(9)
Prohibition of watering areas that have been overseeded with cool
season grasses (such as rye grass or other similar grasses), except
for golf courses and public athletic fields.
(e)
Additional water conservation measures.
The following
water conservation measures shall also be used by the town to encourage
water conservation:
(1)
Use of xeriscaping in all municipal landscape projects.
(2)
Rebates for use of rain barrels.
(3)
Rebates for the installation of pressure reducing valves for irrigation
systems.
(4)
Rebates for retrofitting irrigation systems with rain and freeze
sensors and/or ET or Smart controllers capable of multiple programming.
(5)
Require all new irrigation systems to be in compliance with state
design and installation regulations (TAC title 30, part 1, chapter
344).
(6)
Native, drought tolerant, or adaptive plants shall be encouraged.
(7)
Drip irrigation systems shall be promoted.
(8)
Evapotranspiration (ET)/Smart controllers that only allow sprinkler
systems to irrigate when necessary shall be promoted.
(9)
Rebates for water efficient clothes washers.
(10)
Other water conservation incentive programs.
(f)
Requirement for water conservation plans by wholesale customers.
Every contract for the wholesale sale of water by member cities
and/or 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 the
water.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. A, adopted 5/7/13)
The town shall enact all ordinances necessary to enforce and
execute this plan. The town manager, public works manager, town engineer,
and their designees shall be authorized to take all measures necessary
to ensure compliance.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. A, adopted 5/7/13)
Following adoption, this water conservation plan shall be updated
every five years as required by TCEQ or as appropriate based on new
and/or updated information.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. A, adopted 5/7/13)
