(a)
Recognizing the need for efficient use of existing water supplies,
the state commission on environmental quality (TCEQ) has developed
guidelines and requirements governing the development of water conservation
plans for public water suppliers.
(b)
The objectives of this 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.
(c)
The water conservation plan presented in this document is intended for adoption by wholesale or retail public water suppliers in TCEQ Region I. This plan includes all of the elements required by the TCEQ. In order to adopt this plan, public water suppliers will need to follow the requirements stated in section 12.06.002 below.
(Ordinance 1014 adopted 11/17/14; Ordinance 1104 adopted 4/15/19; 1999 Code,
sec. 53.01)
(a)
Conservation plans.
(1)
The TCEQ rules governing development of water conservation plans for public water suppliers are contained in title 30, part 1, chapter 288, subchapter A, rules 288.1 and 288.2 of the Texas Administrative Code, which is included in appendix B attached to Ordinance 1104. 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a water conservation plan is defined as “A strategy or combination of strategies for reducing the volume of water withdrawn from a water supply source, for reducing the loss or waste of water, for maintaining or improving the efficiency in the use of water, for increasing the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.”
(2)
The elements in the TCEQ water conservation rules covered in this
conservation plan are listed below.
(b)
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:
|
288.2(a)(1)(A)
|
Utility profile
| |
|
288.2(a)(1)(B)
|
Record management system (including usage sectors)
|
Section 12.06.006(3)
|
|
288.2(a)(1)(C)
|
Water conservation goals (5- and 10-year)
| |
|
288.2(a)(1)(D)
|
Master source metering device(s)
|
Section 12.06.006(1)
|
|
288.2(a)(1)(E)
|
Universal metering, testing and repair
|
Section 12.06.006(2)
|
|
288.2(a)(1)(F)
|
Determination and control of water loss
|
Sections 12.06.006(4) and 12.06.006(5)
|
|
288.2(a)(1)(G)
|
Public education and information program
|
Section 12.06.007
|
|
288.2(a)(1)(H)
|
Non-promotional, cost-based water rates that discourage excessive
use
|
Section 12.06.008
|
|
288.2(a)(1)(I)
|
Reservoir system operations plan
|
Section 12.06.009(b)
|
|
288.2(a)(1)(J)
|
Means of plan implementation and enforcement
|
Section 12.06.010
|
|
288.2(a)(1)(K)
|
Coordination with the regional water planning group
|
Section 12.06.009(e)
|
(c)
Conservation plan additional requirements (population over 5,000).
The Texas Administrative Code includes additional requirements
for water conservation plans for cities with a population over 5,000:
|
288.2(a)(2)(A)
|
Leak detection, repair, and water loss accounting
|
Sections 12.06.006(4) and 12.06.006(5)
|
|
288.2(a)(2)(B)
|
Requirement for water conservation plans by wholesale customers
|
Section 12.06.009(d)
|
(d)
Additional conservation strategies.
The TCEQ rules also
list additional optional (not required) conservation strategies, which
may be adopted by suppliers as needed to achieve the goals of this
plan. The following optional strategies are included in this plan:
|
288.2(a)(3)(A)
|
Conservation oriented water rates
|
Section 12.06.008
|
|
288.2(a)(3)(B)
|
Ordinances, plumbing codes or rules on water-conserving fixtures
|
Section 12.06.009(a)
|
|
288.2(a)(3)(F)
|
Considerations for landscape water management regulations
|
Section 12.06.009(c)
|
|
288.2(a)(3)(G)
|
Monitoring method
|
Section 12.06.006(6)
|
(Ordinance 1014 adopted 11/17/14; Ordinance 1104 adopted 4/15/19; 1999 Code,
sec. 53.02)
The complete water utility profile for this plan is included in appendix C to Ordinance 1104, and has been completed on the form provided by the TWDB.
(Ordinance 1014 adopted 11/17/14; Ordinance 1104 adopted 4/15/19; 1999 Code,
sec. 53.03)
The guidelines for a water conservation plan require an entity
to set 5- and 10-year goals for water conservation. The goals, which
are non-enforceable, must be in a measurable form such as GPCD (gallons
per capita per day) usage. Setting of the goals should be based on
identifying water conservation strategies that the utility can successfully
implement and assigning an anticipated water savings value to the
strategy.
(1)
Water use goals of the program (5-year and 10-year target and goals).
The city’s goals are to achieve a municipal use of 170
gallons per capita per day or less for the 5 years from calendar year
2019 to 2024 and also achieve a municipal use of 160 gallons per capita
per day or less for the next 10 years from calendar year 2019 to 2029.
(2)
Water loss goals for the program (5- and 10-year targets and goals).
The city’s goals are to achieve a municipal water loss
goal of 18 gallons per capita per day or less for the first 5 years
from calendar year 2019 to 2024 and also achieve a municipal water
loss goal of 14 gallons per capita per day or less for the next 10
years from calendar year 2019 to 2029. These water loss goals can
also be expressed as 11% or less of water usage for the 5-year goal
and 14% or less of water usage for the 10-year goal.
(3)
Determination of baseline data.
(A)
The baseline per capita water usage (GPCD) was established by the
ten-year running average of the water use data from 2009-2018. Total
per capita usage was 178 GPCD and the residential usage was 94 GPCD.
(B)
The baseline per capita water loss (GPCD) was established by a five-year
running average of the data from the 2014-2018 water loss audits.
Per capita water loss was 16 GPCD.
(C)
This data is shown on the 5- and 10-year goal section of the submitted
conservation plan.
(Ordinance 1014 adopted 11/17/14; Ordinance 1104 adopted 4/15/19; 1999 Code,
sec. 53.04)
(a)
The city will adhere to the following schedule to achieve the targets
and goals for water conservation:
(1)
Calibration of meters for all source water deliveries are conducted
annually.
(3)
Water audits will be conducted annually.
(A)
Real water losses are identified and corrected.
(B)
Real water losses are minimized by replacement of deteriorating water
mains and appurtenances, as conducted by the city staff on an ongoing
basis.
(C)
Continuous efforts to address and improve water accounting/billing
inaccuracies by upgrades to our meter reading technologies and billing
programs.
(D)
Water conservation plan annual reports will be provided to TWDB as
required.
(4)
The city will disseminate water conservation material developed by
city staff, materials obtained from the state water development board,
the state commission on environmental quality or other sources semi-annually
(once in the spring and once in the summer) to all customers. Monthly
bills will continue to have conservation tips included.
(6)
The leak detection and water main replacement program described in
the plan is currently in use by the city, which reduces real water
losses.
(A)
Inspections of water mains are conducted on an ongoing basis. Sounding
inspections of the system will take place as budgets allow.
(B)
Water delivery and pressure is controlled above the standard-of-service
level by the use of a SCADA system and regular daily inspections.
Upgrades to the automation system will continue as budgets allow.
(C)
Use of AMR technologies will be employed to assist in leak detection.
(D)
Surges in pressure are limited by control valves and soft-start booster
pumps, thus helping to reduce leaks in the distribution system.
(7)
The city has adopted the 2015 International Plumbing Code, and all
new construction or renovations in the city will be required to use
the current standard in water efficient/conserving fixtures.
(b)
City staff shall track targets and goals by utilizing the following
procedures:
(1)
Logs shall be maintained for meter calibration, meter testing, and
meter replacement programs.
(2)
Annual water audits shall be documented and kept in the public works
department files.
(3)
Staff shall keep a record of the number of mail-outs distributed
semi-annually.
(4)
Rates are tracked by means of ordinances adopted.
(5)
Logs shall be maintained for the city’s leak detection program,
including but not limited to the following:
(Ordinance 1014 adopted 11/17/14; Ordinance 1104 adopted 4/15/19; 1999 Code,
sec. 53.05)
One of the key elements in water conservation is careful tracking
of water use and control of losses through illegal diversions and
leaks. Careful metering of water deliveries and water use, detection
and repair of leaks in the distribution system and regular monitoring
of unaccounted water are important in controlling losses.
(1)
Master metering of water diverted from the source.
Master
metering occurs at each of the two booster pump stations to indicate
water diverted from the sources to the distribution system. Meter
accuracy is verified annually.
(2)
Metering of customer and public uses and meter testing, repair and
replacement.
(A)
The city currently has approximately 4,900 metered connections. Only
a portion of the city’s public water use is currently metered.
The city’s water use will be metered as budgets allow, hopefully
within the next five years.
(B)
The city, like most municipal water suppliers, does not have a specified
meter testing program. We do not have a specified meter replacement
program. Meters are tested and replaced as discrepancies are found
in the readings or at the customer’s request. The older meters
in the system are replaced as the annual budget allows. Slowly, the
city is implementing an AMR program. All new/replacement meters are
upgraded to AMR. As budgets allow the city will be moving toward a
meter testing and complete replacement program. The goal is to insure
meter accuracy and complete a total replacement program within the
next 5 years.
(3)
Record management system.
As required by TAC title 30, part 1, chapter 288, subchapter A, rule 288.2(a)(1)(B), the city’s record management system allows for the separation of water sales and uses into residential, industrial, commercial, institutional, and agricultural categories. This information is included in section II of the utility profile (appendix C to Ordinance 1104) and will be included in the water conservation plan annual reports, as described in subsection (6) below.
(4)
Determination and control of unaccounted water.
(A)
Unaccounted water is the difference between the amount of water produced
or purchased by the utility and metered deliveries to customers plus
authorized but unmetered uses. (Authorized but unmetered uses would
include use for firefighting, flushing of lines, and uses associated
with new construction.) Unaccounted water can include several categories:
(i)
Inaccuracies in customer meters. (Customer meters tend to run more
slowly as they age and under-report actual use.)
(ii)
Accounts which are being used but have not yet been added to
the billing system.
(iii)
Losses due to water main breaks and leaks in the water distribution
system.
(iv)
Losses due to illegal connections and theft.
(v)
Other.
(B)
The city is continuing to increase measures to control unaccounted
water. Annual water use surveys are submitted to the TWDB as required,
and, as required by legislation, the city will be performing annual
water audits. The city’s maintenance crews and personnel look
for and report evidence of leaks in the water distribution system.
A specified leak detection program is not part of the routine, but
plans are being made to implement a program as budgets allow. Mains
are repaired on an as-needed basis as leaks and breaks become visible
at the surface. Some problematic water mains are being replaced as
budgets allow. Estimates of water loss due to leaks and breaks are
made during repairs. Water use for firefighting is also being estimated
and reported. Water used on public property (parks, golf course, city
facilities, etc.) for landscape irrigation is being reported annually,
whether it is metered or estimated.
(5)
Leak detection and repair.
City crews and personnel
will look for and report evidence of leaks in the water distribution
system. Reports from the general public concerning water leaks are
quickly investigated and repaired as needed. Areas of the water distribution
system in which numerous leaks and line breaks occur are targeted
for replacement as funds are available. Other leak detection activities
(testing) will be carried out as budgets allow.
(6)
Monitoring of effectiveness and efficiency; annual water conservation
report.
An annual conservation report will be completed
by the city by June 1st of the following year, submitted to TWDB,
and will be used to monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of the
water conservation program and to plan conservation-related activities
for the next year. This report records the water use by category,
per capita municipal use, and unaccounted water for the current year
and compares them to historical values.
(Ordinance 1014 adopted 11/17/14; Ordinance 1104 adopted 4/15/19; 1999 Code,
sec. 53.06)
The continuing public education and information campaign on
water conservation includes the following elements:
(1)
Insert water conservation information with water bills. Inserts will
include material developed by the city staff and material obtained
from the TWDB, the TCEQ, and other sources. A water conservation tip
is included every month on the water bill.
(2)
Encourage local media coverage of water conservation issues and the
importance of water conservation.
(3)
Make water conservation brochures and other water conservation materials
available to the public.
(4)
Make information on water conservation available on the city website
(www.canyontx.com)
and include links to information on water conservation posted on the
TWDB and TCEQ websites.
(5)
Provide water conservation materials to schools and utilize existing
age-appropriate education programs available through the TCEQ and
TWDB.
(6)
Once a meter replacement and automation program is complete, the
city intends to provide the public access to their water use data
via a web-based portal. This will be a great addition to the education
of the public as to their water use and conservation.
(Ordinance 1014 adopted 11/17/14; Ordinance 1104 adopted 4/15/19; 1999 Code,
sec. 53.07)
The city has an increasing block rate water structure that is
intended to encourage water conservation and discourage excessive
use and waste of water. The water rate structure is as follows (for
FY 2014-15):
(1)
Residential rates.
(A)
Monthly minimum charge: $28.85 - this includes the first 2,000 gallons
water use.
(B)
The next 6,000 gallons: $4.80 per thousand gallons.
(C)
The next 12,000 gallons: $6.27 per thousand gallons.
(D)
The next 15,000 gallons: $6.44 per thousand gallons.
(E)
The next 15,000 gallons: $6.60 per thousand gallons.
(F)
All above 50,000 gallons: $7.03 per thousand gallons.
(2)
Commercial/industrial rates.
The city’s commercial/industrial
water rates equal the residential water rates and are based on monthly
usage.
(Ordinance 1014 adopted 11/17/14; Ordinance 1104 adopted 4/15/19; 1999 Code,
sec. 53.08)
(a)
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 follow the 2015 International
Plumbing Code, calling for flows of no more than 2.2 gallons per minute
(gpm) for faucets, 2.5 gpm for showerheads, and 1.6 gallons per flush
for water closets and 1.0 gpm for urinals. The city has adopted these
standards into our plumbing code. These state and federal standards
assure that all new construction and renovations will use water-conserving
fixtures. The potential savings from these fixtures can be significant,
but historically have been difficult to measure independently from
other factors.
(b)
Reservoir system operation plan.
The city does not operate
a surface water treatment plant or maintain raw water reservoirs.
Purchased water from the City of Amarillo is treated water. Therefore
the City of Canyon does not have a reservoir system operation plan.
(c)
Considerations for landscape water management regulations.
The city has not adopted landscape water management regulations
as part of this water conservation plan. However, recent drought and
subsequent revision to the city’s drought contingency plan,
has adopted the types of regulations listed below [sic]. As required
by the TCEQ, the drought contingency plan and its regulations are
enforceable by city ordinance. The regulations from the plan and other
ordinances include the following:
(1)
Require that all new irrigation systems be in compliance with state
design and installation regulations (TAC title 30, part 1, chapter
344).
(2)
Prohibit irrigation systems that spray directly onto impervious surfaces
or onto other non-irrigated areas. (Wind-driven water drift will be
taken into consideration.)
(3)
Prohibit use of poorly maintained sprinkler systems that waste water.
(4)
Prohibit outdoor watering during any form of precipitation.
(5)
Enforce the regulations by a system of warnings followed by fines
for continued or repeat violations.
(6)
Establish odd/even address landscape irrigation schedules during
certain drought stages.
(7)
Develop and adopt a comprehensive landscaping ordinance that encourages
the use of more drought-tolerant plants and grasses and the use of
more efficient landscape irrigation systems.
(8)
Develop and adopt a comprehensive water conservation ordinance that
imposes permanent landscape irrigation schedules, addresses water
waste, and encourages all forms of water conservation measures.
(9)
Implement other measures necessary to discourage water waste and
encourage conservation.
(d)
Requirement for water conservation plans by wholesale customers.
The city’s municipal water system does not wholesale water
to any customers. Therefore, the requirement of plans from wholesale
customers is not applicable.
(e)
Coordination with regional water planning group.
In
accordance with TCEQ regulations, a copy of this adopted water conservation
plan has been sent to the Panhandle Water Planning Group (PWPG). A
copy of the cover letter that accompanied the submission of this plan
to the PWPG is included in appendix F to Ordinance 1104.
(Ordinance 1014 adopted 11/17/14; Ordinance 1104 adopted 4/15/19; 1999 Code,
sec. 53.09)
A copy of Ordinance 1104, adopted by the city commission, regarding
this water conservation plan is attached as appendix G to Ordinance
1104 and made part of this plan. This ordinance designates responsible
officials to implement and enforce the water conservation plan.
(Ordinance 1014 adopted 11/17/14; Ordinance 1104 adopted 4/15/19; 1999 Code,
sec. 53.10)
