The city provides retail water service to city residents and also provides water on a wholesale basis to additional political subdivisions located outside of the city limits. The city directly influences the water use of its retail water users through the water conservation measures discussed in this plan. The city requires each of its wholesale customer's retail utility systems to implement conservation measures at least as stringent as the city's conservation measures. The wholesale customers implement these measures as a part of their respective retail water supply operations.
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)
In order to conserve the available water supply, the city adopts the following regulations concerning water conservation through this article. Water uses regulated or prohibited under this water conservation plan are considered to be discretionary and are deemed to constitute a waste of water which subjects the offender(s) to penalties as defined in section 22.08.046 of this plan.
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)
The city manager or his/her designee is authorized and directed to implement the applicable provisions of this plan. The city manager or his/her designee will act as the administrator of the plan, oversee the execution and implementation of the plan, and will be responsible for keeping adequate records for program verification.
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)
(a) 
The city's water conservation goals are to:
(1) 
Emphasize conservation in order to delay expensive water supply projects as long as possible;
(2) 
Provide an adequate supply of suitable treated water to meet the needs of its retail and wholesale customers; and
(3) 
Require its wholesale customers to adopt and implement water conservation plans that will reduce their per capita water use rates.
(b) 
The city's wholesale customer water conservation program is predicated on the fact that the implementation of conservation measures must occur largely at the local level. Due to this fact, the city's wholesale program is focused on requiring initiatives by its wholesale customers.
(c) 
TCEQ rules require that water conservation plans contain specific, quantifiable five- and ten-year goals for use in gallons per capita per day. The goals established as part of this plan are not enforceable.
(d) 
The city's annual average per capita per day usage declined by 13% over the past ten years as depicted in the chart below. In order to determine these values, the city uses total water pumped from all sources divided by the estimated city population as determined by the city's planning department.
Year
GPCD
2013
154
2014
141
2015
131
2016
132
2017
127
2018
130
2019
123
2020
133
2021
128
2022
134
(e) 
In order to set the city's new per capita goal for municipal water conservation, baseline per capita water use was determined from the 10-year average per capita per day water use from 2013 to 2022 as determined by the city. This resulted in an average value reflecting both wet and dry years. The average per capita use from 2013 to 2022 was 133 gpcd with a high of 154 gpcd in 2013 and a low of 123 gpcd in 2019. The goals for this plan were developed utilizing a 0.5% per year reduction in per capita water use. This results in a per capita goal for year 2029 of 130 gpcd and a year 2034 goal of 127 gpcd, using a five (5) year rolling average. This reflects a reduction of 0.5% per year from the 10-year average of 133 from 2013 to 2023.
(f) 
This methodology is similar to that used in the city's previous water conservation plans. The former and current plans use a 0.5% per year reduction in per capita water use goal. The new goals established under this revised plan are similar to those previously established.
(g) 
In addition to the per capita water use goal above, the city has set a maximum water loss goal of 10% for the retail water delivery system for both 2029 and 2034. This would correspond to a loss rate of 12.8 gpcd in 2029 and 12.5 gpcd in 2034. This water loss goal is a benchmark established by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2014-O0167, sec. 3, adopted 12/18/2014; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)
The city meters the amount of raw water pumped from the BCWF, Lake Alan Henry, and from the CRMWA supply using meters that are maintained to record flow with an accuracy of plus or minus 5.0%. The amount of water delivered to each wholesale water customer is also metered by the city.
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2014-O0167, sec. 4, adopted 12/18/2014; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)
(a) 
Using meters that meet at least the minimum standards developed by the American Water Works Association and with a metering accuracy range of plus or minus 5.0%, the city individually meters all water usage, except that utilized for fire protection. Combined with the city's computerized billing system, the city's universal metering program has a water delivery accuracy rate of plus or minus 5.0%, which meets the TCEQ standards for meter accuracy. The city encourages each wholesale water customer to meter all water usage as well.
(b) 
The city randomly samples commercial and residential water meters across the system for accuracy testing, and also tests all water meters of customers who are involved in the water credit or appeals process. The city tests approximately 1,000 meters each year. Depending on testing results, additional meters may be tested based on age or geographical region. Meters that fail to meet tolerance criteria specified in article 22.03 will be replaced, rebuilt and reinstalled, or completely removed from service."
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)
The city maintains a records management system which tracks the volume of water pumped, water delivered to retail customers, water sold to wholesale customers, and the volume of water losses. The city's utility billing database allows water sales and uses to be desegregated into the volume used by residential, commercial, public and institutional, and industrial customers. This data is the most detailed data available from the utility billing database.
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)
The city takes the appropriate steps to monitor and audit its water system for water loss in an effort to conserve water, manage the replacement of old water lines that are prone to leaks and breaks, investigate customer complaints of low pressure and possible leaks, visually inspect suspected leaks, and track water delivery to customers to determine illegal connections and abandoned service lines. The city's program for leak detection and water audits is conducted pursuant to section 22.08.043 of this Code of Ordinances.
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)
(a) 
The city has established goals, objectives and programs that support a standard for water use. The city's water conservation program is comprised of four main strategies in the following order of priority:
(1) 
Maintain a nonpromotional water rate structure that encourages conservation;
(2) 
Reduce water loss within the city's distribution system;
(3) 
Educate the public and provide useful information; and
(4) 
Enforce irrigation and waste of water restrictions.
In addition, to these broad strategies, section 6 of the City of Lubbock's 2018 Strategic Water Supply Plan (adopted by city council on January 22, 2019; Resolution No. 2019- R0010), contains details regarding water conservation strategies the city is pursing and considering.
(b) 
The city will evaluate and implement certain administrative changes to programs, policies, and rules that support water conservation efforts. In 1992, the city moved from a declining block rate to a uniform block rate. In 2007, the city passed a revised water rate ordinance with an inclining block rate structure. In 2017, the city revised the residential water rate ordinance with additional block rate structural changes that encourage water conservation. The city also revised the water conservation plan in 2017 to include mandatory "two day per week" irrigation of landscape. Other administrative changes may include the continued review and revision of city codes to determine their effect on the use of water and active enforcement of rules, codes, and regulations affecting water use.
(c) 
In an effort to manage annual and maximum daily water use, the water conservation program establishes the following water use standards for outdoor landscape irrigation:
(1) 
Landscape irrigation is allowed to occur twice each week and only between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. from April 1st through September 30th. Landscape irrigation from October 1st through March 31st shall not be limited to the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. so as to allow for irrigation during periods when the ambient temperature rises above 35° F. Landscape irrigation yearround schedules are based on the last digit of the property address:
(A) 
Properties with an address ending in 0, 3, 4, or 9 may water on Monday and Thursday.
(B) 
Properties with an address ending in 1, 5, or 6 may water on Tuesday and Friday.
(C) 
Properties with an address ending in 2, 7, or 8 may water on Wednesday and Saturday.
(D) 
No landscape irrigation is allowed on Sundays.
Commercial customers with larger landscapes may apply for a variance in the event that they are unable to complete the necessary irrigation cycles during the designated days and times.
(2) 
Summer irrigation should provide a maximum of 1.5 inches per zone per week.
(3) 
Winter irrigation may occur only when temperatures are above 35°F so as not to cause a freezing hazard and should provide a maximum of 1.0 inch per zone per month for dormant grasses (i.e. Bermuda) and 1.0 inch per zone every two weeks for cool season grasses (i.e. Fescue).
(4) 
Irrigation should occur without excessive runoff. Excessive runoff is evidenced by running or pooling of water sufficient to create a public hazard, a nuisance or obvious waste of water as compared to the expected norm.
(5) 
Handwatering for landscape irrigation purposes is allowed on a daily basis regardless of the time of year and regardless of the time of day.
(6) 
New plant material may be irrigated on a more frequent basis until the new plant material is established as defined in section 22.03.133(a)(4) of this Code of Ordinances related to the operation of irrigation systems.
(d) 
The city will sponsor programs to educate the public regarding water conservation activities that support its goals. This includes educating the general public on the need for and practices of water conservation through various social media outlets, public service announcements, presentations to business groups, participation in home and garden shows, coordination efforts with the Chamber of Commerce, West Texas Home Builders Association, Lubbock Apartment Association, and supporting water conservation efforts in the local education system at all grade levels.
(e) 
Structural changes that have been and may be adopted by the city are those programs that result in a physical modification of water use devices or practices, such as landscape design and maintenance, rain and freeze sensors on automatic irrigation systems, plumbing retrofit or rehabilitation programs, controlling water loss, and by reusing treated wastewater and stormwater.
(f) 
In regards to the city's wholesale water customers, their retail utility systems are separate from the city's retail water system; therefore, the city does not have the ability to implement most of the water conservation items discussed above. The city encourages its wholesale customers to implement these or other appropriate water conservation measures as a part of their respective retail water supply operations.
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2016-O0182, sec. 1, adopted 1/12/2017; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)
The city has adopted a water rate structure which is nonpromotional (see section 22.03.085 of this code).
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)
This requirement is not applicable to the city at this time. The city only owns and operates one water supply reservoir, Lake Alan Henry, which is located on the South Fork of the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River.
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)
The water service area of the city is located within Llano Estacado Regional Planning Area (Region O) and the city has provided a copy of this plan to the Llano Estacado Regional Water Planning Group to ensure consistency with the regional water plan.
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)
(a) 
The city routinely monitors the water transmission, storage, delivery, and distribution system components for leaks. Waterline leaks are detected by utility personnel while reading meters, maintaining their water and wastewater systems, and while performing other routine surveillance programs. Any reported leaks are repaired in a timely manner. The wholesale water customers are responsible for managing their ongoing leak detection, location, and repair programs.
(b) 
At a minimum, the city will conduct a water audit using the methodology outlined by the TWDB on an annual basis in accordance with current TWDB rules. Water audits may be conducted on a more frequent basis if the city deems that action to be appropriate.
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)
(a) 
It is a mandatory requirement for the city to require wholesale customers with any new or amended contracts or successor contracts to develop a water conservation plan. Minimum plan requirements for municipal wholesale customers entering or renewing city contracts include:
(1) 
A completed TCEQ utility profile;
(2) 
A record management system to record water pumped, water deliveries, water sales, and water losses which allows for the desegregation of water sales and uses into the following user classes: residential, commercial, public and institutional, and industrial; and
(3) 
Specific, quantified five-year and ten-year targets for water savings to include goals for water loss programs and goals for municipal use, in gallons per capita per day;
(4) 
Metering devices having accuracy within plus or minus 5 percent in order to measure and account for the amount of water diverted from the supply source;
(5) 
A program for universal metering of both customer and public uses of water, for meter testing and repair, and for periodic meter replacement;
(6) 
Measures to determine and control water loss (for example, periodic visual inspections along distribution lines, annual or monthly audit of the water system to determine illegal connections, abandoned services, etc.);
(7) 
A program of continuing public education and information regarding water conservation;
(8) 
A water rate structure which is not "promotional," meaning a rate structure which is cost-based and which does not encourage the excessive use of water;
(9) 
A reservoir systems operation plan, if applicable, providing for the coordinated operation of reservoirs owned by the utility within a common watershed or river basin in order to optimize available water supplies;
(10) 
A means of implementation and enforcement of conservation practices, as evidenced by either:
(A) 
A copy of the ordinance, resolution, or tariff, indicating official adoption of the water conservation plan by the customer; or
(B) 
A description of the authority by which the customer will implement and enforce the water conservation plan; and
(11) 
Documentation of coordination with the regional water planning group(s) for the service area of the customer in order to ensure consistency with the appropriate regional water plan(s).
(b) 
Water conservation plan must include the following additional elements if the customer serves, or plans to serve in the next 10 years, a population of 5,000 or greater:
(1) 
A program of leak detection, repair, and water loss accounting for the water transmission, delivery, and distribution system in order to control unaccounted-for uses of water; and
(2) 
For wholesale water customers, that they include a requirement that every wholesale water supply contract entered into or renewed after official adoption of the customer's water conservation plan, and including any contract extension, that each successive wholesale customer develop and implement a water conservation plan or water conservation measures using the applicable TCEQ requirements.
(c) 
Other measures that the customer could adopt to meet the stated conservation goals might include but are not limited to:
(1) 
Measurement and control of excessive pressure in the distribution system;
(2) 
Ordinances to promote efficiency and avoid water waste;
(3) 
Plumbing fixture replacement and retrofit programs;
(4) 
Other beneficial reuse of water such as grey water and rainwater harvesting systems; and
(5) 
Other measures as may be applicable.
(d) 
All customer plans must be reviewed and approved by city council before water sales contracts are signed.
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)
The city shall review and update, as appropriate, the water conservation plan at least every five (5) years, based on, in part, an assessment of the previous five- and ten-year goals, new or updated information such as the adoption or revision of the regional water plan, or changes in laws or regulations.
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)
Any water customer or other user of the city's water supply that violates this water conservation plan shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a penalty and fine as set forth in section 1.01.004 of this code for each day of noncompliance. In addition:
(1) 
Service shall be discontinued to those customers who do not pay fines that are levied and shall remain discontinued until all required payments are made; and
(2) 
New water service taps will be provided to new construction and new construction will be approved only if such construction conforms to adopted ordinances.
(Ordinance 2010-O0055 adopted 7/22/2010; Ordinance 2019-O0044 adopted 4/23/19; Ordinance 2024-O0076 adopted 6/11/2024)