In order to conserve the available water supply and protect
the integrity of water supply facilities, with particular regard for
domestic water use, sanitation, and fire protection, and to protect
and preserve public health, welfare, and safety and minimize the adverse
impacts of water supply shortage or other water supply emergency conditions,
the city hereby adopts the following drought contingency plan.
(Ordinance 391, sec. I, adopted 7/26/11)
Opportunity for the public and wholesale water customers to
provide input into the preparation of the plan was provided by the
city by means of the monthly meetings of the city council.
(Ordinance 391, sec. II, adopted 7/26/11)
The city will periodically provide water customers 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. A copy of the drought
contingency plan will be furnished to the water authority. Water customers
will be periodically informed as to which stage of the plan we are
operating under. This will be done in the monthly water bills.
(Ordinance 391, sec. III, adopted 7/26/11)
The service area of the city is located in region A and the
city has provided a copy of the plan to this group.
(Ordinance 391, sec. IV, adopted 7/26/11)
The city council, or its designee, is hereby authorized and
directed to implement the applicable provisions of this article upon
determination that such implementation is necessary to protect public
health, safety, and welfare. The city council, or its designee, shall
have the authority to initiate or terminate drought or other water
supply emergency response measures as described in this article.
(Ordinance 391, sec. V, adopted 7/26/11)
The provisions of this article shall apply to all customers
utilizing water provided by the city. The term customer as used in
the plan includes individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations,
and all other legal entities.
(Ordinance 391, sec. VI, adopted 7/26/11)
The city shall rely on the Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial
Water Authority to monitor water supply and demand conditions on a
monthly basis and Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority
shall determine when conditions warrant initiation or termination
of each stage of the plan. Wholesale customer notification by Greenbelt
Municipal and Industrial Water Authority of the initiation or termination
of drought response stages will be made by mail or telephone. The
news media will also be informed.
(1) Stage 1 - Mild water shortage conditions.
(A) Requirements for initiation.
Greenbelt Municipal and
Industrial Water Authority will recognize that a mild water shortage
condition exists when the water storage in the Greenbelt Reservoir
reaches an elevation level of 2,637.00.
(B) Requirements for termination.
Stage 1 of the plan may
be rescinded when all the conditions listed as triggering events have
ceased to exist for a period of 30 consecutive days. The Greenbelt
Municipal and Industrial Water Authority will notify its wholesale
customers and the media of the termination of stage 1 in the same
manner as the notification of initiation of stage 1 of the plan.
(2) Stage 2 - Moderate water shortage conditions.
(A) Requirements for initiation.
Greenbelt Municipal and
Industrial Water Authority will recognize that a moderate water shortage
condition exists when the water storage in the Greenbelt Reservoir
reaches an elevation level of 2,634.00, and the daily flow or demand
for water equals or exceeds 7.5 mgd.
(B) Requirements for termination.
Stage 2 of the plan may
be rescinded when all the conditions listed as triggering events have
ceased to exist for a period of 30 consecutive days. Upon termination
of stage 2, stage 1 becomes operative. The Greenbelt Municipal and
Industrial Water Authority will notify its wholesale customers and
the media of the termination of stage 2 in the same manner as the
notification of initiation of stage 1 of the plan.
(3) Stage 3 - Emergency water shortage conditions.
(A) Requirements for initiation.
Greenbelt Municipal and
Industrial Water Authority will recognize that a severe water shortage
condition exists when the water storage in the Greenbelt Reservoir
reaches an elevation level of 2,631.00, and the daily flow or the
daily demand for water equals or exceeds 7.5 mgd.
(B) Requirements for termination.
Stage 3 of the plan may
be rescinded when all the conditions listed as triggering events have
ceased to exist for a period of 30 consecutive days. Upon termination
of stage 3, stage 2 becomes operative. The Greenbelt Municipal and
Industrial Water Authority will notify its wholesale customers and
the media of the termination of stage 2 in the same manner as the
notification of initiation of stage 3 of the plan.
(4) Stage 4 - Emergency water shortage conditions.
(A) Requirements for initiation.
The Greenbelt Municipal
and Industrial Water Authority will recognize that a severe water
shortage condition exists when the water storage in the Greenbelt
Reservoir reaches an elevation level of 2,628.00, and the daily flow
or the daily demand for water equals or exceeds 7.5 mgd. Also in the
event of a major line break, or pump or system failures occur, which
cause unprecedented loss of capacity to provide water service, or
in the case of natural or manmade contamination of the water supply,
Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority will recognize
that a severe water shortage condition exists.
(B) Requirements for termination.
Stage 4 of the plan may
be rescinded when all the conditions listed as triggering events have
ceased to exist for a period of 30 consecutive days. The Greenbelt
Municipal and Industrial Water Authority will notify its wholesale
customers and the media of the termination of stage 4.
(Ordinance 391, sec. VII, adopted 7/26/11)
The city council, or its designee, shall communicate with Greenbelt
Municipal and Industrial Water Authority regarding water supply and
demand conditions, and shall determine when mild, moderate, or severe
water shortage conditions exist or that emergency conditions exist
and shall implement the following actions:
(1) Stage 1 response - Mild water shortage conditions.
(A) Goal: Achieve a voluntary 10-percent reduction in total water use,
or the daily demand for water.
(B) Demand management measures:
(i) The Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority will contact
wholesale water customers to discuss water supply and demand conditions
and will request that wholesale water customers initiate voluntary
measures to reduce water use, and initiate stage 1 of the wholesale
customer’s drought contingency plan.
(ii)
The city will request that all of its water customers practice
water conservation and minimize or discontinue water use for nonessential
purposes, with the goal of reducing water usage by 10%.
(2) Stage 2 response - Moderate water shortage conditions.
(A) Goal: Achieve a voluntary 20-percent reduction in total water use,
or the daily demand for water.
(B) Supply management measures: The water authority will lower the level
in all storage tanks to no more than 75% of capacity, thus reducing
the pressure on the wholesale water customer’s system. This
in turn would help conserve water.
(C) Demand management measures:
(i) The Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority will initiate
weekly contact with wholesale water customers to discuss water supply
and/or demand conditions.
(ii)
The Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority will
request wholesale water customers to initiate mandatory measures to
reduce non-essential water use, and to initiate stage 2 of the wholesale
water customer’s drought contingency plan.
(iii)
The Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority will
provide a weekly report to news media with information regarding current
water supply and demand conditions, projected water supply and demand
conditions if drought conditions persist, and consumer information
on water conservation measures and practices.
(iv)
The city will request that all of its water customers practice
water conservation and minimize or discontinue water use for non-essential
purposes, with the goal of reducing water usage by 20%. It will be
strongly recommended that customers:
a.
Limit outside watering to twice-a-week, and then before 10:00
a.m. and after 7:00 p.m. Residential customers with odd-numbered street
addresses water on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Residential customers
with even-numbered street addresses water on Thursdays and Sundays.
Commercial customers water on Tuesdays and Fridays.
b.
Limit washing of motor vehicles, motorbikes, boats, and other
vehicles at home to before 10:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. on your designated
watering day, and then use a bucket and/or a hand-held hose equipped
with a shut-off nozzle. Commercial carwashes are excepted.
c.
Avoid filling swimming pools except during the above watering
hours.
d.
Avoid operating ornamental fountains unless necessary to support
aquatic life or if equipped with a recirculation system.
e.
Do not water-wash driveways, sidewalks, and other hard-surfaced
areas. Do not wash down buildings or structures except for immediate
fire protection.
f.
Repair all leaks as soon as possible, and report any leaks or
unauthorized usage to city hall. Night and weekend emergency leaks
should be reported to the county sheriff’s office at (806)874-3533.
(3) Stage 3 response - Severe water shortage conditions.
(A) Goal: Achieve a voluntary 30-percent reduction in total water use,
or the daily demand for water.
(B) Supply management measures: The water authority would lower the level
in all storage tanks to no more than 50% of capacity, thus reducing
the pressure on the wholesale water customer’s system. This
in turn would help conserve an even greater amount of water.
(C) Demand management measures: All requirements of stage 2 shall remain
in effect during stage 3 except:
(i) The Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority will contact
wholesale water customers to discuss water supply and demand conditions
and will request that wholesale water customers initiate additional
voluntary measures to reduce water use, and initiate stage 3 of the
wholesale customer’s drought contingency plan.
(ii)
The Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority will
provide a weekly report to news media with information regarding current
water supply and demand conditions, projected water supply and demand
conditions if drought conditions persist, and consumer information
on water conservation measures and practices.
(iii)
The city will request that all of its water customers practice
water conservation and minimize or discontinue water use for nonessential
purposes, with the goal of reducing water usage by 30%. Under threat
of penalty for violation, the following water use restrictions shall
apply to all persons:
a.
Limit outside watering to twice-a-week, and then before 10:00
a.m. and after 7:00 p.m. Residential customers with odd-numbered street
addresses water on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Residential customers
with even-numbered street addresses water on Thursdays and Sundays.
Commercial customers water on Tuesdays and Fridays.
b.
Limit washing of motor vehicles, motorbikes, boats, and other
vehicles at home to before 10:00 a.m. or after 7:00 pm on your designated
watering day, and then use a bucket and/or a hand-held hose equipped
with a shut-off nozzle. Commercial carwashes are excepted.
c.
Avoid filling swimming pools except during the above watering
hours.
d.
Avoid operating ornamental fountains unless necessary to support
aquatic life or if equipped with a recirculation system.
e.
Do not water-wash driveways, sidewalks, and other hard-surfaced
areas. Do not wash down buildings or structures except for immediate
fire protection.
f.
Repair all leaks as soon as possible, and report any leaks or
unauthorized usage to city hall. Night and weekend emergency leaks
should be reported to the county sheriff’s office at (806)874-3533.
(4) Stage 4 response - Emergency water shortage conditions.
Whenever emergency water shortage conditions exist as defined in section
13.05.007 of the plan, the Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority will:
(A) Assess the severity of the problem and identify the actions needed
and time required to solve the problem.
(B) Inform the utility director or the other responsible official of
each wholesale water customer by telephone or in person and suggest
actions, as appropriate, to alleviate problems, until service is restored.
(C) The city will request that all of its water customers practice water
conservation and discontinue water use for non-essential purposes,
with the goal of reducing water usage by more than 30%. All requirements
of stage 3 shall remain in effect during stage 4 except for responses
listed below. Under threat of penalty for violation, the following
water use restrictions shall apply to all persons:
(i) Irrigation of landscaped areas shall be limited to designated watering
days between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00
p.m. and 12:00 midnight and shall be by means of hand-held hoses,
hand-held buckets, drip irrigation, or permanently installed automatic
sprinkler system only. The use of hose-end sprinklers is prohibited
at all times. Residential customers with odd-numbered street addresses
water on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Residential customers with even-numbered
street addresses water on Thursdays and Sundays. Commercial customers
water on Tuesdays and Fridays.
(ii)
Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer,
airplane or other vehicle not occurring on the premises of a commercial
carwash and commercial service stations and not in the immediate interest
of public health, safety, and welfare is prohibited. Further, such
vehicle washing at commercial carwashes and commercial service stations
shall occur only between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and
between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
(iii)
Avoid filling swimming pools except during the above watering
hours.
(iv)
Avoid operating ornamental fountains unless necessary to support
aquatic life or if equipped with a recirculation system.
(v) Do not water-wash driveways, sidewalks, and other hard-surfaced areas.
Do not wash down buildings or structures except for immediate fire
protection.
(vi)
Repair all leaks as soon as possible, and report any leaks or
unauthorized usage to city hall. Night and weekend emergency leaks
should be reported to the county sheriffs office at (806)874-3533.
(Ordinance 391, sec. VIII, adopted 7/26/11)
In the event that the triggering criteria specified in section
13.05.007 of the plan for stage 4 - emergency water shortage conditions have been met, the board of directors of the Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority has the authority to initiate allocation of water supplies on a pro rata basis in accordance with the Texas Code section 11.039 and according to the following water allocation policies and procedures:
(1) A wholesale customer’s monthly allocation shall be a percentage
of the customer’s water usage baseline. The percentage will
be set by resolution of the board of directors of the Greenbelt Municipal
and Industrial Water Authority based on the general manager’s
assessment of the severity of the water shortage condition and the
need to curtail water deliveries and may be adjusted periodically
by resolution of the board of directors of the Greenbelt Municipal
and Industrial Water Authority as conditions warrant. Once pro rata
allocation is in effect, water deliveries to each wholesale customer
shall be limited to the allocation for each month.
(2) A monthly water usage allocation shall be established by the Greenbelt
Municipal and Industrial Water Authority for each wholesale customer.
The wholesale customer’s water usage baseline will be computed
on the average water usage by month for the 5 prior years as shown
below.
(3) The Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority shall provide
notice, by certified mail, to each wholesale customer informing them
of their monthly water usage allocations and shall notify the news
media and the executive director of the state commission on environmental
quality (TCEQ) upon initiation of pro-rata water allocation.
Example Calculation of Monthly Allocation (Total Treated Water
from GMIWA)
Monthly totals shown in thousands of gallons.
|
---|
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
SUM
|
AVG
|
%
|
Monthly Allocation
|
---|
Jan
|
7,706.4
|
7,802.5
|
8,954.1
|
9,089.4
|
7,637.9
|
41,190.3
|
8,238.1
|
70
|
5,766.6
|
Feb
|
7,806.7
|
6,949.0
|
9,263.1
|
7,514.2
|
5,459.8
|
36,992.8
|
7,398.6
|
70
|
5,179.0
|
Mar
|
8,351.3
|
6,347.2
|
9,753.7
|
6,662.4
|
5,498.6
|
36,613.2
|
7,322.6
|
70
|
5,125.8
|
Apr
|
10,867.8
|
5,369.6
|
10,174.9
|
6,614.5
|
5,052.4
|
38,079.2
|
7,615.8
|
70
|
5,331.1
|
May
|
10,665.9
|
4,739.5
|
10,356.4
|
6,174.0
|
8,386.0
|
40,321.8
|
8,064.4
|
70
|
5,645.1
|
Jun
|
16,090.8
|
5,116.8
|
10,663.6
|
10,981.2
|
11,187.0
|
54,039.4
|
10,807.9
|
70
|
7,565.5
|
July
|
16,324.5
|
7,918.8
|
10,490.1
|
15,731.0
|
10,792.5
|
61,256.9
|
12,251.4
|
70
|
8,576.0
|
Aug
|
10,102.6
|
10,113.0
|
9,989.2
|
9,587.9
|
9,572.2
|
49,364.9
|
9,873.0
|
70
|
6,911.1
|
Sep
|
7,759.8
|
7,985.1
|
7,333.6
|
12,131.7
|
7,863.1
|
43,073.3
|
8,614.7
|
70
|
6,030.3
|
Oct
|
6,661.0
|
8,299.8
|
7,676.0
|
12,088.8
|
8,719.1
|
43,444.7
|
8,688.9
|
70
|
6,082.3
|
Nov
|
7,567.1
|
7,636.1
|
7,737.8
|
12,462.0
|
8,982.4
|
44,385.4
|
8,877.1
|
70
|
6,214.0
|
Dec
|
8,000.9
|
9,211.6
|
8,239.0
|
9,906.7
|
10,063.7
|
45,421.9
|
9,084.4
|
70
|
6,359.1
|
TO
|
117,904.8
|
87,489.0
|
110,631.5
|
118,943.8
|
99,214.7
|
|
|
|
|
(4) During any period when pro rata allocation of available water is
in effect, the city may be required to pay Greenbelt Municipal and
Industrial Water Authority the following surcharges on excess water
deliveries:
(A) 1-1/4 times the normal charge per thousand gallons for water deliveries
in excess of the monthly allocation up through 5 percent above the
monthly allocation.
(B) 1% times the normal water charge per acre-foot for water diversions
and/or deliveries in excess of the monthly allocation from 5 percent
through 10 percent above the monthly allocation.
(C) 1-3/4 times the normal water charge per acre-foot for water diversions
and/or deliveries in excess of the monthly allocation from 10 percent
through 15 percent above the monthly allocation.
(D) 2 times the normal water charge per acre-foot for water diversions
and/or deliveries more than 15 percent above the monthly allocation.
(E) The above surcharges shall be cumulative.
(Ordinance 391, sec. IX, adopted 7/26/11)
(a) In the event that the Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority
imposes water allocation to its wholesale customers, all stage 4 responses
remain in effect except those listed below. The city will, under threat
of penalty for violation, prohibit all non-essential water use by
all customers. The following uses of water are defined as non-essential
and are prohibited:
(1) Washing of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis
courts, or other hard-surfaced areas;
(2) Use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other
than immediate fire protection;
(3) Use of water for dust control;
(4) Flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any
gutter or street; and
(5) Failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period
after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s).
(b) In the event that Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority
initiates water allocations, the city will initiate, in the current
billing cycle, water allocations to each of its customers at the same
level as imposed by Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority.
(1) Residential customers: The city will compute, for each residential
account, the usage baseline for each monthly period for the prior
five (5) years. The city will initiate the same allocation imposed
by Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority. The city will
provide notice, by regular mail, to each customer informing them of
their monthly water usage allocations. During any period when pro
rata allocation of available water is in effect, the city will assess
the following surcharge on excess water deliveries:
(A) Two (2) times the normal water charge per thousand gallons for water
deliveries over and above the monthly allocation.
(B) No city water customer will be allotted less than 2,000 gallons per
month.
(C) Disputes regarding allotment levels will be handled on a case-by-case
basis. Such questions or disputes should be directed, in writing or
in person, to city hall.
(D) Water allocations are non-transferable.
(2) Commercial customers: The city will compute, for each commercial
account, the usage baseline for each monthly period for the prior
five (5) years. The city will initiate the same allocation imposed
by Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority. The city will
provide notice, by regular mail, to each customer informing them of
their monthly water usage allocations. During any period when pro
rata allocation of available water is in effect, the city will assess
the following surcharges on excess water deliveries:
(A) Two (2) times the normal water charge per thousand gallons for water
deliveries over and above the monthly allocation.
(B) No city water customer will be allotted less than 2,000 gallons per
month.
(C) Disputes regarding allotment levels will be handled on a case-by-case
basis. Such questions or disputes should be directed, in writing or
in person, to city hall.
(D) Water allocations are non-transferable.
(Ordinance 391, sec. X, adopted 7/26/11)
(a) No person shall knowingly or intentionally allow 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 article, or in an amount in excess of that permitted by the
drought response stage in effect at the time pursuant to action taken
by the city administrator, in accordance with provisions of this article.
(b) Any person who violates this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction shall be punished by a fine in accordance with the general penalty provided in section
1.01.009 of this code. Each day that one or more of the provisions in this article is violated shall constitute a separate offense. If a person is convicted of three or more distinct violations of this article, the city administrator 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 $1,000.00, and any other costs incurred by the city in discontinuing service. In addition, suitable assurance must be given to the city administrator that the same action shall not be repeated while the plan is in effect. Compliance with this article may also be sought through injunctive relief in the district court.
(c) Any person, including a person classified as a water customer of
the city or the Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority,
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.
(d) Any employee of the Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority,
sheriff’s deputy, or city employee (such as a code compliance
officer) designated by the city administrator, may issue a citation
to a person he/she reasonably believes to be in violation of this
article. 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 before the municipal judge
on the date shown on the citation for which the date shall not be
more than 5 days from the date the citation was issued. The alleged
violator shall be served a copy of the citation. Service of the citation
shall be complete upon delivery of the citation to the alleged violator,
to an agent or employee of a violator, or to a person over 14 years
of age who is a member of the violator’s immediate family or
is a resident of the violator’s residence. The alleged violator
shall appear in municipal court to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty
for the violation of this article. If the alleged violator fails to
appear in municipal court, a warrant for his/her arrest may be issued.
A summons to appear may be issued in lieu of an arrest warrant. These
cases shall be expedited and given preferential setting in municipal
court before all other cases.
(Ordinance 391, sec. XI, adopted 7/26/11)
(a) The city retains the right to petition the Greenbelt Municipal and
Industrial Water Authority for a variance to the pro rata allocation
of water, within the guidelines as specified in the Greenbelt Municipal
and Industrial Water Authority Drought Contingency Plan.
(b) The city council may, in writing, grant a temporary variance to the
water use prohibition policies provided by this article if it is determined
that failure to grant such variances would cause an emergency condition
adversely affecting the public health, welfare, or safety and if one
or more of the following conditions are met:
(1) Compliance with this article cannot be technically accomplished during
the duration of the water supply shortage or other condition for which
the plan is in effect.
(2) Alternative methods can be implemented which will achieve the same
level of reduction in water use.
(c) Persons requesting an exemption from the provisions of this article
shall file a petition for variance with the city administrator within
10 days after stage 4 conditions have been announced. All petitions
for variance shall be reviewed by the city council, and shall include
the following:
(1) Name and address of the petitioner(s).
(2) Detailed statement with supporting data and information as to how
the stage 4 “Prohibition of water use” under the policies
and procedures established in this article adversely affects the petitioner
or what damage or harm will occur to the petitioner or others if petitioner
complies with this article.
(3) Description of the relief requested.
(4) Period of time for which the variance is sought.
(5) Alternative measures the petitioner is taking or proposes to take
to meet the intent of this article and the compliance date.
(6) Other pertinent information.
(d) Variances granted by the city council shall be subject to the following
conditions:
(1) Variances granted shall contain a timetable for compliance.
(2) Variances granted shall expire when the plan is no longer in effect,
unless the petitioner has failed to meet specified requirements.
(e) No variance shall be retroactive or otherwise justify any violation
of this article occurring prior to the issuance of the variance.
(Ordinance 391, sec. XII, adopted 7/26/11)