For conservation and efficient use of existing resources to continue meeting current and future needs, the city has implemented programs to minimize water loss and waste. Educational outreach programs are also in place in which the City of Rockport completes the Texas Water Development Board Water Conservation Utility Profile, WRD-264 on an annual basis; sets five-and ten-year goals for per capita water use; and adopts an ordinance approving the plan. The conservation plan includes all elements required by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Copy of 2008 Water Utility Profile is included as a part of this division and available in the office of the city secretary.
(Ordinance 1491, § 4, 2-23-10)
(a) 
As required by TCEQ, the city has adopted specific water conservation goals for the water conservation plan and developed five-and ten-year goals for reduction in per capita municipal use, including the following:
(1) 
Maintain unaccounted water in the system below 12 percent annually in 2009 and subsequent years;
(2) 
Continue to maintain a meter replacement program;
(3) 
Review and modify the current public awareness program and encourage water conservation and more efficient use of water by making information available to the public; and
(4) 
Review and modify system specific strategy to conserve water to reduce usage during peak periods.
(b) 
Five-and ten-year goals in gallons per capita per day (gpcd) are noted as follows:
Current 5-Year Average Municipal per capita use 2004-2008
124.18
5-year Goal (gpcd)
124.18
10-year Goal (gpcd)
124.18
(Ordinance 1491, § 4, 2-23-10)
One of the main factors in water conservation is precise tracking of water use and control of loss through leaks and illegal connections. Careful leak detection and repair and continuous monitoring of unaccounted water are imperative to control loss.
(1) 
Accurate metering of treated water deliveries.
The city meters all treated water deliveries from San Patricio Municipal Water District, through one ten-inch meter at the Aransas County line. This meter is read daily and tested annually.
(2) 
Metering of customer and public uses and meter testing, repair and replacement.
The city meters all water usage, including residential, commercial, industrial and governmental. A water audit was conducted in 2001 and a meter replacement program was implemented to reduce water loss. The program targets ten percent of the older meters within the system, annually. Additionally, the City of Rockport owns a meter tests bench and performs sample testing of meters on a regular basis.
(3) 
Record keeping.
The city records water delivered and water sold; estimates water losses and separates water sales and uses into residential, commercial, and industrial categories as required by TAC Title 30, Part 1, Chapter 288, Subchapter A, Rule 288.2(a)(2)(B).
(4) 
Measures and control of unaccounted water.
Unaccounted water is the difference between treated water deliveries from San Patricio Municipal Water District and the metered deliveries to customers. Authorized but unmetered uses by fire fighting and line flushing are included in the calculation. Other unaccounted water includes:
a. 
Losses due to water main breaks and leaks in the water distribution system;
b. 
Losses due to illegal connections;
c. 
Losses due to fire fighting and fire line flushing;
d. 
Line flushing due to construction, maintenance, repair and water quality needs; and
e. 
Inaccuracy in customer meters.
In an effort to control unaccounted water, the utilities department personnel manually read every meter in the system on a monthly basis and check all non-active connections. Field personnel walk all main distribution lines monthly and visually inspect all service lines for leaks. Meter readers and other field personnel also watch for and report signs of illegal connections.
(5) 
Leak detection and repair.
The city's SCADA system monitors activities and tank levels within the system. Activity is reviewed daily and high/low level alarms are programmed to automatically notify personnel when reached. Additionally, meter readers and field personnel watch for and report signs of leaks and illegal connections. Leaks are repaired quickly and illegal connections are terminated immediately.
(6) 
Monitoring effectiveness and efficiency.
The city compiles data annually and submits a water utility profile to the Texas Water Development Board. Water use by category for the current year is compared to historical values. Annual water audits are performed by utilities department personnel. In addition, in depth water audits were conducted by JBS and Associates in 2001 and 2005. In 2009, the city contracted with SAMCO Leak Detection to conduct a leak survey on a part of the system representing approximately ten percent overall. The leaks identified were repaired within two weeks. Future leak surveys shall be conducted periodically.
(Ordinance 1491, § 4, 2-23-10)
The City of Rockport mails Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) to all customers annually. Additional copies of the CCR and water conservation literature are also placed in public areas of city buildings. Education outreach programs are currently being developed for use in the school district and community.
(Ordinance 1491, § 4, 2-23-10)