(a)
The purpose of this drought contingency and water emergency plan
is as follows:
(1)
To conserve the available water supply in times of drought and emergency.
(2)
To maintain supplies for domestic water use, sanitation, and fire
protection.
(3)
To protect and preserve public health, welfare, and safety.
(4)
To minimize the adverse impacts of water supply shortages.
(5)
To minimize the adverse impacts of emergency water supply conditions.
(b)
A drought is defined as an extended period of time when an area receives
insufficient amounts of rainfall to replenish the water supply, causing
water supply sources, in this case reservoirs, to be depleted. In
the absence of drought response measures, water demands tend to increase
during a drought due to the need for additional outdoor irrigation.
The severity of a drought depends on the depletion of supplies and
on the relationship of demand to available supplies. The NTMWD considers
a drought to end when all of its supply reservoirs refill to the conservation
storage pool.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. B, adopted 5/7/13)
The TCEQ rules governing development of drought contingency
plans for public water towns are contained in title 30, part 1, chapter
288, subchapter B, rule 288.20 of the Texas Administrative Code. For
the purpose of these rules, a drought contingency plan is defined
as “a strategy or combination of strategies for temporary supply
and demand management responses to temporary and potentially recurring
water supply shortages and other water supply emergencies.”
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. B, adopted 5/7/13)
Citizens and customers will be given the opportunity for public
input into the development of this drought contingency plan by the
following means:
(1)
Providing written notice of the proposed plan and the opportunity
to comment on the plan by posted notice, use of the town’s website,
and inclusion in the town’s newsletter.
(2)
Making the draft plan available on the town’s website.
(3)
Providing the draft plan to any customer requesting a copy.
(4)
Holding a public meeting.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. B, adopted 5/7/13)
(a)
The town will inform and educate the public about the drought contingency
and water emergency response plan by the following means:
(1)
Preparing a bulletin describing the plan and making it available
at town hall and other appropriate locations.
(2)
Making the plan available to the public through the town’s
website.
(3)
Including information about the drought contingency and water emergency
response plan on the town’s website.
(4)
Notifying local organizations, schools, and civic groups that staff
are available to make presentations on the drought contingency and
water emergency response plan (usually in conjunction with presentations
on water conservation programs).
(b)
At any time that the drought contingency and water emergency response
plan is activated or the drought stage or water emergency response
changes, the town will notify local media of the issues, the drought
response stage or water emergency response stage, and the specific
actions required of the public. The information will also be publicized
on the town’s website. Billing inserts will also be used as
appropriate.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. B, adopted 5/7/13)
(a)
Initiation of a drought or water emergency response stage.
(1)
The town manager or mayor may order the implementation of a drought
or water emergency response stage when one or more of the trigger
conditions for that stage are met. The following actions will be taken
when a drought stage is initiated:
(A)
The public will be notified through local media and the town’s website as described in section 13.08.004.
(B)
Wholesale customers (if any) and the NTMWD will be notified by e-mail
with a follow-up letter or fax that provides details of the reasons
for initiation of the drought/water emergency response stage.
(C)
If any mandatory provisions of the drought contingency and water
emergency response plan are activated, the town will notify the executive
director of the TCEQ and the executive director of the NTMWD within
five business days.
(2)
Drought contingency and water emergency response stages imposed by
NTMWD action must be initiated by member cities and customers. For
other trigger conditions, the town manager or mayor may decide not
to order the implementation of a drought response stage or water emergency
even though one or more of the trigger criteria for the stage are
met. Factors that could influence such a decision include, but are
not limited to, the time of the year, weather conditions, the anticipation
of replenished water supplies, or the anticipation that additional
facilities will become available to meet needs. The reason for this
decision should be documented.
(b)
Termination of a drought or water emergency response stage.
(1)
The town manager or mayor may order the termination of a drought
or water emergency response stage or water emergency when the conditions
for termination are met or at their discretion. The following actions
will be taken when a drought or emergency response stage is terminated:
(A)
The public will be notified through local media and the town’s website as described in section 13.08.004.
(B)
Wholesale customers (if any) and the NTMWD will be notified by e-mail
with a follow-up letter or fax.
(C)
If any mandatory provisions of the drought contingency and water
emergency response plan that have been activated are terminated, the
town will notify the executive director of the TCEQ and the executive
director of the NTMWD within five business days.
(2)
The town manager or mayor may decide not to order the termination
of a drought or water emergency response stage or water emergency
even though the conditions for termination of the stage are met. Factors
that could influence such a decision include, but are not limited
to, the time of the year, weather conditions, or the anticipation
of potential changed conditions that warrant the continuation of the
drought stage. The reason for this decision should be documented.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. B, adopted 5/7/13)
(a)
Stage 1.
(1)
Initiation and termination conditions for stage 1.
(A)
The NTMWD has initiated stage 1, which may be initiated due to one
or more of the following:
(i)
The NTMWD executive director, with the concurrence of the NTMWD
board of directors, finds that conditions warrant the declaration
of stage 1.
(ii)
Water demand is projected to approach the limit of the permitted
supply.
(iii)
The storage in Lake Lavon is less than sixty-five percent of
the total conservation pool capacity.
(iv)
NTMWD’s storage in Jim Chapman Lake is less than sixty-five
percent of NTMWD’s total conservation pool capacity.
(v)
The Sabine River Authority has indicated that its upper basin
water supplies used by NTMWD (Lake Tawakoni and/or Lake Fork) are
in a mild drought.
(vi)
NTMWD has concern that Lake Texoma, the East Fork Raw Water
Supply Project, or some other NTMWD source may be limited in availability
in the next six months.
(vii)
NTMWD demand exceeds 90% of the amount that can be delivered
to customers for seven consecutive days.
(viii)
Water demand for all or part of NTMWD’s
delivery system approaches delivery capacity because delivery capacity
is inadequate.
(ix)
NTMWD’s supply source becomes contaminated.
(x)
NTMWD’s water supply system is unable to deliver water
due to the failure or damage of major water system components.
(B)
Town’s demand exceeds 90% of the amount that can be delivered
to customers for three consecutive days.
(C)
Town’s water demand for all or part of the delivery system
approaches delivery capacity because delivery capacity is inadequate.
(D)
Supply source becomes contaminated.
(E)
Town’s water supply system is unable to deliver water due to
the failure or damage of major water system components.
(F)
Town’s individual plan maybe implemented if other criteria
dictate.
(G)
Stage 1 may terminate when NTMWD terminates its stage 1 condition
or when the circumstances that caused the initiation of stage 1 no
longer prevail.
(2)
Goal for use reduction and actions available under stage 1.
Stage 1 is intended to raise public awareness of potential drought
or water emergency problems. The goal for water use reduction is a
2% reduction in the amount of water produced by NTMWD. The town manager
or mayor may order the implementation of any of the actions listed
below, as deemed necessary:
(A)
Request voluntary reductions in water use by the public and by wholesale
customers.
(B)
Increase public education efforts on ways to reduce water use.
(C)
Review the problems that caused the initiation of stage 1.
(D)
Notify major water users and work with them to achieve voluntary
water use reductions.
(E)
Intensify efforts on leak detection and repair.
(F)
Reduce nonessential town government water use, such as landscape
irrigation and vehicle washing.
(G)
Ask the public to follow voluntary landscape watering schedules.
(H)
Notify wholesale customers (if any) of actions being taken and request
implementation of similar procedures.
(b)
Stage 2.
(1)
Initiation and termination conditions for stage 2.
(A)
The NTMWD has initiated stage 2 which may be initiated by one or
more of the following:
(i)
The NTMWD executive director, with the concurrence of the NTMWD
board of directors, finds that conditions warrant the declaration
of stage 2.
(ii)
The storage in Lake Lavon is less than fifty-five percent of
the total conservation pool capacity.
(iii)
NTMWD’s storage in Jim Chapman Lake is less than fifty-five
percent of NTMWD’s total conservation pool capacity.
(iv)
The Sabine River Authority has indicated that its upper basin
water supplies used by NTMWD (Lake Tawakoni and/or Lake Fork) are
in a mild drought.
(v)
NTMWD has concern that Lake Texoma, the East Fork Raw Water
Supply Project, or some other NTMWD source may be limited in availability
in the next six months.
(vi)
NTMWD demand for all or part of the delivery system equals delivery
capacity because delivery capacity is inadequate.
(vii)
NTMWD’s supply source becomes contaminated.
(viii)
NTMWD’s water supply system is unable
to deliver water due to the failure or damage of major water system
components.
(ix)
NTMWD demand exceeds 95% of the amount that can be delivered
to customers for three consecutive days.
(x)
Water use is projected to approach the limit of the permitted
supply.
(B)
Town’s demand exceeds 95% of the amount that can be delivered
to customers for three consecutive days.
(C)
Town’s demand for all or part of the delivery system equals
delivery capacity because delivery capacity is inadequate.
(D)
Supply source becomes contaminated.
(E)
Town’s water supply system is unable to deliver water due to
the failure or damage of major water system components.
(F)
Town’s individual plan maybe implemented if other criteria
dictate.
(G)
Stage 2 may terminate when NTMWD terminates its stage 2 condition
or when the circumstances that caused the initiation of stage 2 no
longer prevail.
(2)
Goal for use reduction and actions available under stage 2.
The goal for water use reduction under stage 2 is a five percent
reduction in the amount of water produced by NTMWD. The town manager
or mayor may order the implementation of any of the actions listed
below, as deemed necessary. Measures described as “requires
notification to TCEQ” impose mandatory requirements on customers.
The town must notify TCEQ and NTMWD within five business days if these
measures are implemented:
(A)
Continue or initiate any actions available under stage 1.
(B)
Initiate engineering studies to evaluate alternatives should conditions
worsen.
(C)
Further accelerate public education efforts on ways to reduce water
use.
(D)
Halt nonessential town government water use.
(E)
Encourage the public to wait until the current drought or emergency
situation has passed before establishing any new landscaping.
(F)
Notify wholesale customers (if any) of actions being taken and request
them to implement similar procedures.
(G)
Requires notification to TCEQ:
(i)
Limit landscape watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems
to no more than two days per week. An exception is allowed for landscape
associated with new construction that may be watered as necessary
for up to thirty days from the date of the certificate of occupancy.
An exemption is also allowed for registered and properly functioning
ET/Smart irrigation systems and drip irrigation systems, which do
not have restrictions to the number of days per week of operation.
(ii)
Restrict landscape and lawn irrigation from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m. April 1st through October 31st.
(iii)
Prohibit planting of cool season grasses (such as rye or similar)
that intensify cool season water requirements.
(c)
Stage 3.
(1)
Initiation and termination conditions for stage 3.
(A)
The NTMWD has initiated stage 3, which may be initiated by one or
more of the following:
(i)
The NTMWD executive director, with the concurrence of the NTMWD
board of directors, finds that conditions warrant the declaration
of stage 3.
(ii)
The storage in Lake Lavon is less than forty-five percent of
the total conservation pool capacity.
(iii)
NTMWD’s storage in Jim Chapman Lake is less than forty-five
percent of NTMWD’s total conservation pool capacity.
(iv)
The Sabine River Authority has indicated that its upper basin
water supplies used by NTMWD (Lake Tawakoni and/or Lake Fork) are
in a moderate drought.
(v)
The water supply from Lake Texoma, the East Fork Raw Water Supply
Project, or some other NTMWD source has become limited in availability.
(vi)
NTMWD demand exceeds 98% of the amount that can be delivered
to customers for three consecutive days.
(vii)
NTMWD demand for all or part of the delivery system exceeds
delivery capacity because delivery capacity is inadequate.
(viii)
NTMWD’s supply source becomes contaminated.
(ix)
NTMWD’s water supply system is unable to deliver water
due to the failure or damage of major water system components.
(x)
Water demand is projected to approach or exceed the limit of
the permitted supply.
(B)
Town’s demand exceeds 98% of the amount that can be delivered
to customers for three consecutive days.
(C)
Town’s demand for all or part of the delivery system exceeds
delivery capacity because delivery capacity is inadequate.
(D)
Supply source becomes contaminated.
(E)
Town’s water supply system is unable to deliver water due to
the failure or damage of major water system components.
(F)
Town’s individual plan maybe implemented if other criteria
dictate.
(G)
Stage 3 may terminate when NTMWD terminates its stage 3 condition
or when the circumstances that caused the initiation of stage 3 no
longer prevail.
(2)
Goals for use reduction and actions available under stage 3.
(A)
The goal for water use reduction under stage 3 is a reduction of
ten percent in the amount of water obtained from NTMWD. If circumstances
warrant or if required by NTMWD, the town manager or mayor may set
a goal for a greater water use reduction.
(B)
The town manager or mayor must implement any action(s) required by
North Texas Municipal Water District. In addition, the manager or
mayor may order the implementation of any of the actions listed below,
as deemed necessary. Measures described as “requires notification
to TCEQ” impose mandatory requirements on customers. The town
must notify TCEQ and NTMWD within five business days if these measures
are implemented:
(i)
Continue or initiate any actions available under stages 1 and
2.
(ii)
Notify wholesale customers of actions being taken and request
them to implement similar procedures.
(iii)
Implement viable alternative water supply strategies.
(iv)
Requires notification to TCEQ:
a.
Initiate mandatory water use restrictions as follows:
1.
Prohibit hosing of paved areas, buildings, or windows (pressure
washing of impervious surfaces is allowed).
2.
Prohibit operation of ornamental fountains or other amenity
impoundments to the extent they use treated water.
3.
Prohibit washing or rinsing of vehicles by hose except with
a hose end cutoff nozzle.
4.
Prohibit using water in such a manner as to allow runoff or
other waste.
b.
Limit landscape watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems
at each service address to once every seven days. Exceptions are as
follows:
1.
Foundations, azaleas, new plantings (first year) of trees and
shrubs may be watered for up to 2 hours on any day by a hand-held
hose, a dedicated zone using a drip irrigation system, or a soaker
hose.
2.
Golf courses may water greens and tee boxes without restrictions.
3.
Public athletic fields used for competition may be watered twice
per week.
4.
Locations using other sources of water supply for irrigation
may irrigate without restriction.
5.
Registered and properly functioning ET/Smart irrigation systems
and drip irrigation systems may irrigate without restrictions.
c.
Existing swimming pools may not be drained and refilled (except
to replace normal water loss).
d.
Prohibit hydroseeding, hydromulching, and sprigging.
e.
Limit landscape watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems
between November 1st and March 31st to once every two weeks. An exception
is allowed for landscape associated with new construction, which may
be watered as necessary for thirty days from the date of the certificate
of occupancy, temporary certificate of occupancy, or certificate of
completion at the discretion of the town.
f.
Initiate a rate surcharge as requested by NTMWD.
g.
Initiate an additional rate surcharge(s) for all water use over
a certain level.
h.
Prohibit watering of golf courses using treated water, except
as needed to keep greens and tee boxes alive.
i.
If NTMWD has imposed a reduction in water available to the town,
impose the same percent reduction on wholesale customers.
(d)
Stage 4.
(1)
Initiation and termination conditions for stage 4.
(A)
The NTMWD has initiated stage 4, which may be initiated due to one
or more of the following:
(i)
The NTMWD executive director, with the concurrence of the NTMWD
board of directors, finds that conditions warrant the declaration
of stage 4.
(ii)
The storage in Lake Lavon is less than thirty-five percent of
the total conservation pool capacity.
(iii)
NTMWD’s storage in Jim Chapman Lake is less than thirty-five
percent of NTMWD’s total conservation pool capacity.
(iv)
The Sabine River Authority has indicated that its upper basin
water supplies used by NTMWD (Lake Tawakoni and/or Lake Fork) are
in a severe drought or emergency.
(v)
The water supply from Lake Texoma, the East Fork Raw Water Supply
Project, or some other NTMWD source has become severely limited in
availability.
(vi)
NTMWD demand exceeds the amount that can be delivered to customers.
(vii)
NTMWD demand for all or part of the delivery system seriously
exceeds delivery capacity because the delivery capacity is inadequate.
(viii)
NTMWD’s supply source becomes contaminated.
(ix)
NTMWD’s water supply system is unable to deliver water
due to the failure or damage of major water system components.
(x)
Water demand is projected to approach or exceed the limit of
the permitted supply.
(B)
Town’s demand exceeds the amount that can be delivered to customers.
(C)
Town’s demand for all or part of the delivery system seriously
exceeds delivery capacity because the delivery capacity is inadequate.
(D)
Supply source becomes contaminated.
(E)
Town’s water supply system is unable to deliver water due to
the failure or damage of major water system components.
(F)
Town’s individual plan maybe implemented if other criteria
dictate.
(G)
Stage 4 can terminate when NTMWD terminates its stage 4 condition
or when the circumstances that caused the initiation of stage 4 no
longer prevail.
(2)
Goals for use reduction and actions available under stage 4.
(A)
The goal for water use reduction under stage 4 is a reduction of
whatever amount is necessary in the amount of water obtained from
NTMWD. If circumstances warrant or are required by NTMWD, the town
manager or mayor may set a goal for a greater water use reduction.
(B)
The town manager or mayor must implement any action(s) required by
North Texas Municipal Water District. In addition, the town manager
or mayor may order the implementation of any of the actions listed
below, as deemed necessary. Measures described as “requires
notification to TCEQ” impose mandatory requirements on member
cities and customers. The town must notify TCEQ and NTMWD within five
business days if these measures are implemented.
(i)
Continue or initiate any actions available under stages 1, 2,
and 3.
(ii)
Notify wholesale customers of actions being taken and request
them to implement similar procedures.
(iii)
Implement viable alternative water supply strategies.
(iv)
Requires notification to TCEQ:
a.
Prohibit washing of vehicles except as necessary for health,
sanitation, or safety reasons.
b.
Prohibit commercial and residential landscape watering, except
that foundations may be watered for 2 hours each day with a hand-held
hose, a soaker hose, or a dedicated zone using a drip irrigation system.
ET/Smart controllers and drip irrigation systems are not exempt from
this requirement.
c.
Prohibit golf course watering except for greens and tee boxes.
d.
Require all commercial water users to reduce water use by a
percentage established by the town manager or his/her designee.
e.
Prohibit the irrigation of new landscaping using treated water.
f.
Prohibit the permitting of private pools. Pools already permitted
may be completed and filled with water. Existing private and public
pools may add water to maintain pool levels, but may not be drained
and refilled.
g.
Initiate an additional rate surcharge(s) for all water use over
a certain level.
h.
If NTMWD has imposed a reduction in water available to town,
impose the same percent reduction on wholesale customers.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. B, adopted 5/7/13)
(a)
The town manager or mayor may grant temporary variances for existing
water uses otherwise prohibited under this drought contingency and
water emergency plan if one or more of the following conditions are
met:
(1)
Failure to grant such a variance would cause an emergency condition
adversely affecting health, sanitation, or fire safety for the public
or the person requesting the variance.
(2)
Compliance with this plan cannot be accomplished due to technical
or other limitations.
(3)
Alternative methods that achieve the same level of reduction in water
use can be and are implemented.
(b)
Variances shall be granted or denied at the discretion of the town
manager or mayor. All petitions for variances must be in writing and
shall include the following information:
(1)
Name and address of the petitioner(s).
(2)
Purpose of water use.
(3)
Specific provisions from which relief is requested.
(4)
Detailed statement of the adverse effect of the provision from which
relief is requested.
(5)
Description of the relief requested.
(6)
Period of time for which the variance is sought.
(7)
Alternative measures that will be taken to reduce water use.
(8)
Other pertinent information.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. B, adopted 5/7/13)
Mandatory water use restrictions may be imposed in stage 2,
3, and 4 drought contingency and water emergency response stages.
These mandatory water use restrictions will be enforced by warnings
and penalties as follows:
(1)
On the first violation, customers will be given a written warning
that they have violated the mandatory water use restriction.
(2)
On the second and subsequent violations, citations may be issued
to customers, with minimum and maximum fines established by ordinance.
(3)
After two violations have occurred, the town may install a flow restrictor
in the line to limit the amount of water that may pass through the
meter in a 24-hour period.
(4)
After three violations have occurred, the town may cut off water
service to the customer.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. B, adopted 5/7/13)
The town will send a draft of its ordinance(s) or other regulation(s)
implementing this plan to NTMWD for their review and comment. The
town will also send the final ordinance(s) or other regulation(s)
to NTMWD.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. B, adopted 5/7/13)
As required by TCEQ rules, the town will review this drought
contingency plan every five years. The plan will be updated as appropriate
based on new or updated information.
(Ordinance 2013-5-7B, ex. B, adopted 5/7/13)
