(a)
Water supply has always been a key issue in the development
of the state. In recent years, the increasing population and economic
development in regional planning group H have led to growing demands
for water. At the same time, local and less expensive sources of water
supply are largely developed. Additional supplies to meet higher demands
will be expensive and difficult to develop. Therefore, it is important
that we make efficient use of existing supplies and make them last
as long as possible. This will delay the need for new supplies, minimize
the environmental impacts associated with developing new supplies,
and delay the high cost of additional water supply development.
(b)
Recognizing the need for efficient use of existing water supplies,
the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has developed
guidelines and requirements governing the development of drought contingency
plans for public water suppliers.
(c)
The TCEQ rules governing development of drought contingency
plans for public water suppliers 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.
A drought contingency plan may be a separate document identified as
such or may be contained within another water management document(s)."
(d)
The city has adopted this drought contingency plan pursuant
to TCEQ guidelines and requirements.
(e)
The purpose of this drought contingency 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.
(Ordinance 2912 adopted 7/22/19; Ordinance
3138 adopted 5/13/2024)
(a)
This drought contingency plan is consistent with Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) guidelines and requirements for development
of drought contingency plans by public drinking water suppliers, contained
in title 30, part 1, chapter 288, subchapter B, rule 288.20 of the
Texas Administrative Code, and contained in section 11.039 of the
Texas Water Code.
(b)
TCEQ's minimum requirements for drought contingency plans
are addressed in the following subsections of this report:
|
288.20(a)(1)(A) - Provisions to inform the public and provide
opportunity for public input
|
Section 13.10.083
|
|
288.20(a)(1)(B) - Provisions for continuing public education
and information
|
Section 13.10.084
|
|
288.20(a)(1)(C) - Coordination with regional water planning
group
|
Section 13.10.089
|
|
288.20(a)(1)(D) - Criteria for initiation and termination of
drought stages
|
Section 13.10.085
|
|
Section 11.039, TWC - Initiation of drought response stages
| |
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288.20(a)(1)(E) - Drought and emergency response stages
|
Section 13.10.086
|
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288.20(a)(1)(F) - Specific, quantified targets for water use
reductions
|
Section 13.10.086
|
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288.20(a)(1)(G) - Water supply and demand management measures
for each stage
|
Section 13.10.086
|
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288.20(a)(1)(H) - Procedures for initiation and termination
of drought stages
|
Section 13.10.086
|
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288.20(a)(1)(I) - Procedures for granting variances
|
Section 13.10.087
|
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288.20(a)(1)(J) - Procedures for enforcement of mandatory restrictions
|
Section 13.10.088
|
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288.20(a)(3) - Consultation with wholesale supplier (City of
Katy not applicable)
| |
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288.20(b) - Notification of implementation of mandatory measures
|
Section 13.10.085
|
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288.20(c) - Review and update of plan
|
Section 13.10.090
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(Ordinance 2912 adopted 7/22/19; Ordinance
3138 adopted 5/13/2024)
Notice of the adoption of this division at a regular city council
meeting was posted and interested members of the public were given
an opportunity to express opinions and concerns regarding the plan.
(Ordinance 2912 adopted 7/22/19; Ordinance
3138 adopted 5/13/2024)
(a)
The city will inform and educate the public about its drought
contingency plan by the following means:
(b)
At any time that the drought contingency plan is activated or
the drought stage changes, the city will notify local media of the
issues, the drought response stage, and the specific actions required
of the public. The information will also be publicized on the city's
website, www.cityofkaty.com. Billing inserts or mail-outs will also
be used as appropriate.
(Ordinance 2912 adopted 7/22/19; Ordinance
3138 adopted 5/13/2024)
(a)
Initiation.
(1)
The mayor or his/her official designee may order the implementation
of a drought response stage or water emergency when one or more of
the trigger conditions for that stage is met. The following actions
will be taken when a drought stage is initiated:
(A)
The public will be notified through local media,
website postings, message boards, and other communication strategies
as they are developed.
(B)
If any mandatory provisions of the drought contingency
plan are activated, the city will notify the executive director of
the TCEQ within five business days.
(2)
For other trigger conditions, the mayor or his/her designee
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.
(b)
Termination.
(1)
The mayor or official designee may order the termination of
a drought response stage or water emergency when the conditions for
termination are met or at his/her discretion. The following actions
will be taken when a drought stage is terminated:
(A)
The public will be notified through local media,
website postings, message boards, and other communication strategies
as they developed.
(B)
When any mandatory provisions of the drought contingency
plan that have been activated are terminated, the city will notify
the executive director of the TCEQ within five business days.
(2)
The mayor or his/her designee may decide not to order the termination
of a drought 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.
(Ordinance 2912 adopted 7/22/19; Ordinance
3051 adopted 7/28/2022; Ordinance 3138 adopted 5/13/2024)
(a)
Initiation.
Customers shall be required to comply
with the requirements and mandatory restrictions on certain nonessential
water uses and shall be requested to adhere to voluntary measures
provided in this plan when:
(1)
Stage 1, mild.
(A)
Triggering conditions for stage 1.
(i)
When total daily water demand equals or exceeds
70% of total water well pumpage capacity for three (3) consecutive
days;
(ii)
Water demand for all or part of the delivery system
approaches delivery capacity because delivery capacity is inadequate;
(iii)
The supply source becomes contaminated;
(iv)
The water supply system is unable to deliver water
due to the failure or damage of major water system components; or
(v)
Water demand is approaching the limit of the permitted
supply.
(B)
Termination conditions for stage 1.
Stage 1 can be terminated when the circumstances that caused the
initiation of stage 1 no longer prevail.
(C)
Goal for use reduction and actions available under
stage 1.
The goal for water use reduction under stage
1, mild, is a 5 percent of water use compared to baseline historical
monthly average water usage as calculated by the city (based on the
water usage data over the previous 12-month period). The purpose of
actions under stage 1, mild, is to raise public awareness of potential
drought problems. The mayor or his/her designee can order the implementation
of any of the actions listed below, as deemed necessary:
(i)
Request voluntary reductions in water use by the
public.
(ii)
Increase public education efforts on ways to reduce
water use.
(iii)
Review the problems that caused the initiation
of stage 1.
(iv)
Notify major water users and work with them to
achieve voluntary water use reductions.
(v)
Intensify efforts on leak detection and repair.
(vi)
Reduce nonessential city government water use,
including street cleaning, vehicle washing, and operation of ornamental
fountains.
(vii)
Reduce city government water use for landscape
irrigation.
(viii)
Ask the public to voluntary reduce watering
and/or irrigate landscape between 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 8:00
p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
(ix)
Encourage reduction of draining and refilling
of swimming pools. Water may be added to existing pools to replace
losses from normal use and operation.
(2)
Stage 2, moderate.
(A)
Triggering conditions for stage 2.
(i)
When total daily water demand equals or exceeds
80% of total water well pumpage capacity for three (3) consecutive
days;
(ii)
Water demand for all or part of the delivery system
equals delivery capacity because delivery capacity is inadequate;
(iii)
The supply source becomes contaminated;
(iv)
The water supply system is unable to deliver water
due to the failure or damage of major water system components; or
(v)
Water demand is approaching the limit of the permitted
supply.
(B)
Termination conditions for stage 2.
Stage 2 can terminate when the circumstances that caused the initiation
of stage 2 no longer prevail. Stage 1 becomes operative on termination
of stage 2.
(C)
Goal for use reduction and actions available under
stage 2.
The goal for water use reduction under stage
2, moderate, is a 10 percent of water use compared to baseline historical
monthly average water usage as calculated by the city (based on the
water usage data over the previous 12-month period). The mayor or
his/her designee can order the implementation of any of the actions
listed below, as deemed necessary. Measures described as "requires
notification to TCEQ" impose mandatory requirements on retail and
wholesale customers. The city staff must notify TCEQ within five business
days if these measures are implemented.
(i)
Continue or initiate any actions available under
stage 1.
(ii)
Initiate engineering studies to evaluate alternatives
should conditions worsen.
(iii)
Further accelerate public education efforts on
ways to reduce water use.
(iv)
Halt nonessential city government water use, including
street cleaning, vehicle washing, and operation of ornamental fountains.
(v)
Encourage the public to wait until the current
drought or emergency situation has passed before establishing new
landscaping.
(vi)
Limit hydrant flushing (except for water system
repairs), flushing gutters, or allowing water to run or accumulate
in any street.
(vii)
Encourage reduction of water use for power washing
of buildings, sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis
courts, or other hard-surfaced areas.
(D)
Requires notification to TCEQ.
(i)
Initiate mandatory water use restrictions as follows:
a.
Limit landscape watering at each service address
to three times per week and water between 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
and 8:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. for each customer type as defined in table
13.10A. (Exceptions: Foundations, new plantings (first year) of trees
and shrubs may be watered for up to two hours on any day by a handheld
hose or a soaker hose without restrictions.)
|
Table 13.10A
Three Days per Week Watering Schedule (12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
and 8:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.)
| |
|---|---|
|
Customer Type:
|
Allowed Landscape Watering Days:
|
|
Residential Users
|
Monday, Wednesday, Sunday
|
|
Commercial, Schools, Governmental, HOA, Greenspace, Right-of-Way
|
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
|
(3)
Stage 3, severe.
(A)
Triggering conditions for stage 3.
(i)
When total daily water demand equals or exceeds
85% of total water well pumpage capacity for three (3) consecutive
days;
(ii)
Water demand for all or part of the delivery system
exceeds delivery capacity because delivery capacity is inadequate;
(iii)
The supply source becomes contaminated;
(iv)
The water supply system is unable to delivery
water due to the failure or damage of major water system components;
or
(v)
Water demand is approaching the limit of the permitted
supply.
(B)
Termination conditions for stage 3.
Stage 3 can terminate when the circumstances that caused the initiation
of stage 3 no longer prevail. Stage 2 becomes operative on termination
of stage 3.
(C)
Goal for use reduction and actions available under
stage 3.
The goal for water use reduction under stage
3, severe, is a reduction of 15 percent of water use compared to baseline
historical monthly average water usage as calculated by the city (based
on the water usage data over the previous 12-month period). If the
circumstances warrant, the mayor or his/her designee can set a goal
for greater water use reduction. The mayor or his/her designee can
order the implementation of any of the actions listed below, as deemed
necessary. Measures described as "requires notification to TCEQ" impose
mandatory requirements on retail and wholesale customers. The city
staff must notify TCEQ within five business days if these measures
are implemented.
(D)
Requires notification to TCEQ.
(i)
Initiate mandatory water use restrictions as follows:
(ii)
Limit landscape watering at each service address
to 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. twice per week
based on the last digit of the address as defined in table 13.10B.
(Exceptions: Foundations, new plantings (first year) of trees and
shrubs may be watered for up to two hours on any day by a handheld
hose or a soaker hose without restrictions.)
(iii)
Prohibit draining and filling of existing pools
and filling of new pools. (Pools may add water to replace losses during
normal use.)
(iv)
Prohibit establishment of new landscaping.
(v)
Halt the issuance of permits for new swimming pools,
splash pads, spas, and fountains except for the following provision:
A permit for a residential swimming pool or spa may be issued by the
city if the permittee provides a signed agreement stating that the
water used to fill the pool will not be city potable water, if the
city is in either stage 3 or higher of the drought contingency plan
at the time of filling of the pool.
|
Table 13.10B
Two Days per Week Watering Schedule (12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
and 8:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.)
| |
|---|---|
|
Customer Type:
|
Allowed Landscape Watering Days:
|
|
Residential Users
|
Wednesday and Sunday
|
|
Commercial, Schools, Governmental, HOA, Greenspace, Right-of-Way
|
Tuesday and Saturday
|
(4)
Stage 4, emergency.
(A)
Triggering conditions for stage 4.
(i)
When total daily water demand equals or exceeds
90% of total water well pumpage capacity for three (3) consecutive
days;
(ii)
Water demand for all or part of the delivery system
seriously exceeds delivery capacity because the delivery capacity
is inadequate;
(iii)
The supply source becomes contaminated;
(iv)
The water supply system is unable to deliver water
due to the failure or damage of major water system components; or
(v)
Water demand is approaching the limit of the permitted
supply.
(B)
Termination conditions for stage 4
Stage 4 can terminate when the circumstances that caused the initiation
of stage 4 no longer prevail. Stage 3 becomes operative on termination
of stage 4.
(C)
Goal for use reduction and actions available under
stage 4.
The goal for water use reduction under stage
4, emergency, is a reduction of 20 percent of water use compared to
baseline historical monthly average water usage as calculated by the
city (based on the water usage data over the previous 12-month period).
If circumstances warrant, the mayor/manager or his/her designee can
set a goal for greater water use reduction. The mayor/manager or his/her
designee can set a goal for greater water use reduction. The mayor
or his/her designee can order the implementation of any of the actions
listed below, as deemed necessary. Measures described as "requires
notification to TCEQ" impose mandatory requirements on retail and
wholesale customers. The city staff must notify TCEQ within five business
days if these measures are implemented.
(D)
Requires notification to TCEQ.
(i)
Prohibit washing of vehicles except as necessary
for health, sanitation or safety reasons, except for vehicle washing
done on the immediate premises of a commercial carwash or commercial
service station. This exception is allowed only for commercial vehicle
wash facilities. Commercial vehicle wash facility means a permanently-located
business that washes vehicles or other mobile equipment with water
or water-based products, including but not limited to self-service
carwashes, full service carwashes, roll-over/in-bay style carwashes,
and facilities managing vehicle fleets or vehicle inventory.
(ii)
Limit landscape watering at each service address
to one (1) day per week and water between 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
and 8:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. based on the last digit of the address
as defined in table 13.10. (Exceptions: Foundations, new plantings
(first year) of trees and shrubs may be watered for up to two hours
on any day by a handheld hose or a soaker hose without restrictions.)
(iii)
Prohibit any filling of private pools. Commercial
and public pools may refill to replace losses during normal use.
(iv)
Require all commercial water users to reduce water
use by a percentage established by the mayor and his/her designee.
|
Table 13.10
One Day per Week Watering Schedule (12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
and 8:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.)
| |
|---|---|
|
Customer Type:
|
Allowed Landscape Watering Days:
|
|
Residential Users
|
Sunday
|
|
Commercial, Schools, Governmental, HOA, Greenspace, Right-of-Way
|
Tuesday
|
(Ordinance 2912 adopted 7/22/19; Ordinance
3051 adopted 7/28/2022; Ordinance 3138 adopted 5/13/2024)
(a)
The mayor/manager and his/her designee may grant temporary variances
for existing water uses otherwise prohibited under this drought contingency
plan if one or more of the following conditions is 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 implemented.
(b)
Variances shall be granted, denied, and/or revoked at the discretion
of the mayor or his/her designee. All petitions for variances should
be in writing and should 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 relief requested.
(6)
Period of time for which the variance is sought.
(7)
Alternative measures that will be taken to reduce water use.
(Ordinance 2912 adopted 7/22/19; Ordinance
3138 adopted 5/13/2024)
Mandatory water use restrictions may be imposed in stage 2,
stage 3 and stage 4 drought stages. These mandatory waters use restrictions
will be enforced by warnings and penalties as follows:
(1)
Stage 2 enforcement procedures.
(A)
On the first violation, customers will be given a written warning
that they have violated mandatory restrictions.
(B)
On the second and subsequent violations, citations may be issued
to customers with fines not less than $200.00 and not to exceed $2,000.00
per incident - the city may cut off water service to the customer,
subject to appeal.
(2)
Stage 3 enforcement procedures.
(A)
On the first violation, customers will be given a written warning
that they have violated mandatory restrictions.
(B)
On the second and subsequent violations, citations may be issued
to customers with fines not less than $200.00 and not to exceed $2,000.00
per incident - the city may cut off water service to the customer,
subject to appeal.
(3)
Stage 4 enforcement procedures.
(A)
On the first violation, customers will be given a written warning
that they have violated mandatory restrictions.
(B)
On the second and subsequent violations, citations may be issued
to customers with fines not less than $200.00 and not to exceed $2,000.00
per incident - the city may cut off water service to the customer,
subject to appeal.
(Ordinance 2912 adopted 7/22/19; Ordinance
3051 adopted 7/28/2022; Ordinance 3138 adopted 5/13/2024)
The city is located within the Region H water planning area. Appendix C of Ordinance 2501 includes a copy of a letter sent to the chair of the Region H Water Planning Group (RCWPG) with this drought contingency plan.
(Ordinance 2912 adopted 7/22/19; Ordinance
3138 adopted 5/13/2024)
As required by TCEQ rules, the city will review this drought
contingency plan every five years to coincide with RCWPG. The plan
will be updated as appropriate based on new or updated information.
As the plan is reviewed and subsequently updated, a copy of the revised
drought contingency plan will be kept on file on the city's website,
www.cityofkaty.com, and submitted to the RCWPG and TCEQ for their
records.
(Ordinance 2912 adopted 7/22/19; Ordinance
3138 adopted 5/13/2024)
