(a)
Triggering conditions.
(1)
City of Willow Park water demand reaches or exceeds 90% of reliable
delivery capacity for three (3) consecutive days. The delivery capacity
could be city-wide or in a specified portion of the system.
(2)
City of Willow Park water treatment or distribution system becomes
contaminated.
(3)
City of Willow Park's water demand for all or part of the
delivery system approaches delivery capacity because delivery capacity
is inadequate.
(4)
City of Willow Park's water supply system is unable to
deliver water due to the failure or damage of major water system components.
(5)
To initiate the updated drought contingency plan, on or around
May 1, 2019, the City of Willow Park will begin in Stage 1 drought
conditions and will terminate Stage 1 at the discretion of the city
manager or their designee.
(b)
Terminating conditions for Stage 1.
At the discretion
of the city manager or his designee, Stage 1 will terminate when the
conditions triggering Stage 1 have ceased to exist for a period of
3 consecutive days for any initiation due to Willow Park water supply
or upon notification from Fort Worth that they are terminating Stage
1 for their wholesale customers.
(c)
Goal for use reduction for Stage 1.
The goal for
water use reduction under Stage 1, Water Watch, is five percent (5%).
If circumstances warrant or if required by the City of Fort Worth,
the Willow Park city manager or their official designee can set a
goal for greater water use reduction.
(d)
Actions available for Stage 1.
The Willow Park
city manager or their official designee may order the implementation
of any of the actions listed below, as deemed necessary. The Willow
Park city manager or their official designee must follow the action(s)
required by the City of Fort Worth.
(e)
All water users.
Initiate mandatory restrictions
to prohibit non-essential water use as follows:
(1)
Discourage hosing of paved areas, such as sidewalks, driveways,
parking lots, tennis courts, patios, or other impervious surfaces,
except to alleviate an immediate health or safety hazard. This may
include premises with raw or processed food, pharmaceutical or vaccine
processing, storage or vending establishments including restaurants
and grocery stores may be washed to the extent necessary for sanitary
purposes. These areas may also include:
(2)
Discourage hosing of buildings or other structures for purposes
other than fire protection or surface preparation prior to painting.
(3)
Prohibit using water in such a manner as to allow runoff or
other waste, including:
(A)
Failure to repair a controllable leak, including
a broken sprinkler head, a leaking valve, leaking or broken pipes,
or a leaking faucet;
(B)
Operating a permanently installed irrigation system
with: (a) a broken head; (b) a head that is out of adjustment and
the arc of the spray head is over a street or parking lot; or (c)
a head that is misting because of high water pressure;
(C)
During irrigation, allowing water to (a) run off
a property and form a stream of water in a street for a distance of
50 feet or greater; or (b) pond in a street or parking lot to a depth
greater than one-quarter of an inch; or
(D)
Allowing or causing an irrigation system or other
lawn watering device to operate during any form of precipitation or
when temperatures are at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
(4)
Prohibit outdoor watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems
between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
(5)
Limit landscape watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems
at each service address to a twice-per-week schedule as outlined below.
This includes landscape watering of parks, golf courses, and sports
fields.
(A)
Residential addresses ending in an even number
(0, 2, 4, 6, or 8) may water on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
(B)
Residential addresses ending in an odd number (1,
3, 5, 7 or 9) may water on Thursdays and Sundays.
(C)
All nonresidential locations (apartment complexes,
businesses, industries, parks, medians, etc.) may water on Tuesdays
and Fridays.
(D)
No watering on Mondays.
(6)
Encourage signage for customers drawing water from private wells
or using recycled water in order to facilitate proper enforcement.
(7)
Exceptions.
(A)
Watering on any day by hand-held hose, drip irrigation,
a soaker hose or tree bubbler. This exception is exclusively for trees,
shrubs and foundations.
(B)
Water use necessary for the repair of an irrigation
system, plumbing line, fountain, etc., in the presence of the person
making the repair.
(C)
Outdoor watering at service addresses with large
multi-station irrigation systems may take place in accordance with
a variance granted by the Willow Park city manager or their designee,
if the city manager determines that a property cannot be completely
irrigated with an average of three-quarters of an inch of water in
a single day, and that the property should be divided into sections
to be irrigated on different days. If approved, no station will be
watered more than twice per week.
(D)
If hydromulch, grass sod, or grass seed is installed
for the purpose of establishing a new lawn, there are no watering
restrictions for the first 30 days while it is being established.
Residents and commercial users need to notify the City of Willow Park
upon installation of new grass hydromulch, grass sod, or grass seed.
After that, the watering restrictions set forth in this stage apply.
(This does not include over seeding with rye, or seasonal grasses,
since turf already exists.)
(E)
If golf courses using City of Willow Park water
for irrigation may water greens and tee boxes as necessary, however
watering must be done before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Encouraged to
reduce water use by five percent (5%).
(F)
Skinned areas of sports fields may be watered as
needed for dust control.
(G)
Watering of athletic fields (fields only, does
not include surrounding landscaped areas) used for organized sports
practice, competition, or exhibition events may occur as necessary
to protect the health and safety of the players, staff, or officials
present for athletic events. Encouraged to reduce water use by five
percent (5%).
(H)
Public areas that are open to the public at-large
and have a high-impact from frequent use may be allowed additional
watering, with a variance granted by the Willow Park city manager,
if it is deemed to be beneficial to serve and protect the community
amenity. Examples may include but are not limited to: outdoor amphitheaters,
demonstration gardens, public art exhibitions, outdoor learning areas,
arboretums, etc.
(I)
All users are encouraged to use native and adapted
drought tolerant plants in landscaping.
(J)
Washing of any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat,
trailer, airplane, or other vehicle shall be limited to the use of
a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive-pressure
shutoff nozzle for quick rinses. Vehicle washing may be done at any
time on the premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service
station. Companies with an automated on-site vehicle washing facility
may wash their vehicles at any time. Further, such washing may be
exempt from these requirements if the health, safety, and welfare
of the public are contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such
as garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.
(K)
Discourage the filling, draining, or refilling
of swimming pools, wading pools, hot tubs, and Jacuzzi type pools
except to maintain adequate water levels for structural integrity,
proper operation, and maintenance, and/or to alleviate an issue that
poses a public safety risk. Users of these types of activities must
notify the City of Willow Park beforehand.
(f)
City and local governments.
In addition to the actions
listed above:
(1)
Review conditions and problems that caused Stage 1. Take corrective
action.
(2)
Increase public education efforts on ways to reduce water use.
(3)
Increase enforcement efforts.
(4)
Intensify leak detection and repair efforts.
(5)
Audit all city and local government irrigation systems to ensure
proper condition, settings, and operation.
(6)
Identify and encourage voluntary reduction measures by high-volume
water users through water use audits.
(7)
Reduce non-essential water use. As used herein, non-essential water
uses are those that do not have any health or safety impact and are
not needed to meet the core function of the agency.
(8)
Review data received through Sensus Analytics as a method of identifying
potential water use violations and wasteful water practices. This
may lead to more targeted patrols of areas with identified noncompliance.
(g)
Commercial or industrial users.
All actions listed above
for all water users apply to commercial and industrial users.
(1)
Stock at commercial plant nurseries is exempt from Stage 1 watering
restrictions.
(2)
Hotels, restaurants, and bars are encouraged to serve drinking water
to patrons on an "on demand" basis.
(3)
Hotels are encouraged to implement laundry conservation measures
by encouraging patrons to reuse linens and towels.
(4)
Car wash facilities must keep equipment in good working order, which
should include regular inspections to be sure there are no leaks,
broken or misdirected nozzles, and that all equipment is operating
efficiently.
(5)
All commercial and industrial customers are encouraged to audit irrigation
systems.
(Ordinance 904-24 adopted 5/14/2024)
(a)
Triggering conditions for Stage 2.
(1)
City of Willow Park water demand reaches or exceeds 95% of reliable
treatment capacity for three consecutive days. The delivery capacity
could be city-wide or in a specified portion of the system.
(2)
City of Willow Park's water distribution system becomes
contaminated.
(3)
City of Willow Park's water demand for all or part of the
delivery system equals or exceeds delivery capacity because delivery
capacity is inadequate.
(4)
Water supply system is unable to deliver water due to the failure
or damage of major water system components.
(5)
City of Fort Worth initiates Stage 2.
(b)
Terminating conditions for Stage 2.
Stage 2 will
terminate when the City of Fort Worth terminates its Stage 2 condition
or when the circumstances that caused the initiation of Stage 2 no
longer prevail.
(c)
Goal for use reduction for Stage 2.
The goal for
water use reduction under Stage 2, Water Warning is to decrease use
by ten percent (10%). If circumstances warrant or if required by the
City of Fort Worth, the Willow Park city manager or their official
designee can set a goal for greater water use reduction.
(d)
Actions available for Stage 2.
The Willow Park
city manager or their official designee may order the implementation
of any of the actions listed below, as deemed necessary. The city
manager or their official designee must implement any action(s) required
by the City of Fort Worth.
(e)
All water users.
(1)
Limit landscape watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems
to a once-per-week schedule at each service address as outlined below.
This includes landscape watering at parks, golf courses, and sports
fields.
(A)
Residential addresses ending in an even number
(0, 2, 4, 6, or 8) may water on Saturday.
(B)
Residential addresses ending in an odd number (1,
3, 5, 7 or 9) may water on Thursday.
(C)
All nonresidential locations (apartment complexes,
businesses, industries, parks, medians, etc.) may water on Tuesday.
(D)
No watering on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
(2)
Discourage the operation of ornamental fountains or ponds that
use potable water except where necessary to support aquatic life or
where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.
(3)
Discourage the filling, draining, or refilling of swimming pools,
wading pools, hot tubs and Jacuzzi type pools except to maintain adequate
water levels for structural integrity, proper operation and maintenance,
and/or to alleviate an issue that poses a public safety risk. Users
of these types of activities must notify the City of Willow Park beforehand.
(4)
Encourage the use of covers for all types of pools, hot tubs,
and Jacuzzi type pools when not in use.
(5)
Encourage signage for customers drawing water from private wells
or using recycled water in order to facilitate proper enforcement.
(6)
Exceptions.
(A)
Watering on any day by hand-held hose, drip irrigation,
a soaker hose or tree bubbler. (The intent of this measure is to allow
for the protection of structural foundations, trees, and other high
value landscape materials.)
(B)
Outdoor watering at service addresses with large
multi-station irrigation systems may take place in accordance with
a variance granted by the director of public works, if the director
determines that a property cannot be completely irrigated with an
average of three-quarters of an inch of water in a single day, and
that the property should be divided into sections to be irrigated
on different days. If approved, no station will be watered more than
once per week.
(C)
If golf courses using City of Willow Park water
for irrigation may water greens and tee boxes as needed to keep them
alive, however watering must be done before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
Fairways are restricted to once-per-week watering as outlined above.
Golf course rough cannot be watered. (No golf courses on city water.)
(D)
Watering of athletic fields (fields only, does
not include surrounding landscaped areas) used for organized sports
practice, competition, or exhibition events may occur as necessary
to protect the health and safety of the players, staff, or officials
present for athletic events. Encouraged to reduce water use by ten
percent (10%).
(E)
All users are encouraged to wait until the current
drought or emergency has passed before establishing new landscaping
and turf. After that, the watering restrictions set forth in this
stage apply. (This does not include over seeding with rye, or other
seasonal grass, since turf already exists.)
(F)
Discourage the operation of ornamental fountains or ponds that use
potable water except where necessary to support aquatic life or where
such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.
(G)
Discourage the filling, draining, or refilling of swimming pools,
wading pools, hot tubs and Jacuzzi type pools except to maintain adequate
water levels for structural integrity, proper operation and maintenance,
and/or to alleviate an issue that poses a public safety risk.
(H)
Encourage the use of covers for all types of pools, hot tubs, and
Jacuzzi type pools when not in use.
(f)
City and local governments.
(1)
Review conditions or problems that caused Stage 2. Take corrective
action.
(2)
Increase frequency of media releases on water supply conditions.
(3)
Further accelerate public education efforts on ways to reduce water
use.
(4)
Eliminate non-essential water use. As used herein, non-essential
water uses are those that do not have any health or safety impact
and are not needed to meet the core function of the agency.
(5)
Prohibit wet street sweeping.
(6)
Review data received through Sensus Analytics as a method for identifying
potential water use violations and wasteful water practices.
(g)
Commercial or industrial users.
(1)
All actions listed above for all water users apply to commercial
and industrial users.
(2)
Use of water from fire hydrants for any purpose other than firefighting
related activities or other activities necessary to maintain public
health, safety and welfare requires a variance issued by the Willow
Park city manager or their official designee. Fire hydrant use may
be limited to only designated hydrants. Upon declaration of this drought
stage, all holders or applicants of a water fire hydrant meter agreement
are required to apply for a variance as set forth in this plan. If
conditions allow, as determined by the public works director, the
use of water from hydrants may continue until the public works director
or their designee issues a determination on the petition for variance.
If conditions do not allow, the public works director may require
all fire hydrant meters be immediately returned from the field, pending
determination of each petition for variance.
(Ordinance 904-24 adopted 5/14/2024)
(a)
Triggering conditions.
(1)
City of Willow Park water demand has reached or exceeds 98%
of reliable treatment capacity for a 24-hour period. The delivery
capacity could be city-wide or in a specified portion of the system.
(2)
City of Willow Park's water distribution system becomes
contaminated.
(3)
City of Willow Park's water demand for all or part of the
delivery system exceeds delivery capacity because delivery capacity
is inadequate.
(4)
Willow Park's water supply system is unable to deliver
water due to the failure or damage of major water system components.
(5)
City of Fort Worth has initiated Stage 3, Emergency Water Use.
(b)
Terminating conditions for Stage 3.
Stage 3 will
terminate when the City of Fort Worth terminates its Stage 3 condition
or when the circumstances that caused the initiation of Stage 3 no
longer prevail.
(c)
Goals for use reduction for Stage 3.
The goal
for water use reduction under Stage 3, Emergency Water Use, is to
decrease use by twenty percent (20%). If circumstances warrant or
if required by the City of Fort Worth, the Willow Park city manager
or their official designee can set a goal for a greater water use
reduction.
(d)
Actions available for Stage 3.
The Willow Park
city manager or their official designee may order the implementation
of any of the actions listed below, as deemed necessary. The Willow
Park city manager or their official designee must implement any action(s)
required by the City of Fort Worth.
(1)
Continue or initiate any actions available under Stages 1 and
2.
(e)
All water users.
(1)
Prohibit landscape watering, including at parks, golf courses,
and sports fields. Exceptions:
(A)
Watering with hand-held hose, soaker hose or drip
irrigation system may occur any day and any time. (The intent of this
measure is to allow for the protection of structural foundations,
trees, and other high value landscape materials.)
(B)
If golf courses that use City of Willow Park water
for irrigation: greens only may be watered by hand-held hose as needed
to keep them alive.
(C)
Watering of athletic fields (fields only, does
not include surrounding landscaped areas) used for organized sports
practice, competition, or exhibition events may occur as necessary
to protect the health and safety of the players, staff, or officials
present for athletic events may be allowed to water by variance. A
water management plan must be submitted to the Willow Park city manager
detailing how each area will comply with Stage 3 drought measures.
(2)
Prohibit establishment of new landscaping. Variances may be
granted for those landscape projects started prior to the initiation
of Stage 3 drought restrictions.
(3)
Vehicle washing restricted to commercial car wash, commercial
service station or a private on-site vehicle washing facility and
can only be done as necessary for health, sanitation, or safety reasons,
including but not limited to the washing of garbage trucks and vehicles
used to transport food and other perishables. All other vehicle washing
is prohibited.
(4)
Prohibit the operation of ornamental fountains or ponds that
use potable water except where necessary to support aquatic life.
(5)
Prohibit the draining, filling, or refilling of swimming pools,
wading pools, and Jacuzzi type pools. Existing private and public
pools may add water to maintain pool levels; however, they may not
be refilled using automatic fill valves. Users of these types of activities
must notify the City of Willow Park beforehand.
(6)
Prohibit hosing of buildings or other structures for purposes
other than fire protection or surface preparation prior to painting
with high-pressure equipment. Must be performed by a professional
power washing service utilizing high efficiency equipment and a vacuum
recovery system where possible.
(7)
Require all customers drawing water from private wells or using recycled
water to post signs on their property saying so, in order to facilitate
proper enforcement.
(f)
City and local governments.
In addition to actions listed
above:
(1)
Continue or initiate any actions available under Stages 1 and 2.
(2)
Review conditions or problems that caused Stage 3. Take corrective
action.
(3)
Implement viable alternative water supply strategies.
(4)
Increase frequency of media releases explaining emergency situation.
(5)
Reduce city and local government water use to the maximum extent
possible.
(6)
Prohibit the permitting of new swimming pools, Jacuzzi type pools,
spas, ornamental ponds, and fountain construction. Pools already permitted
and under construction may be filled with water.
(7)
Review data received through Sensus Analytics as a method for identifying
potential water use violations and wasteful water practices.
(8)
If the City of Fort Worth has imposed a reduction in water available
to customers, then the same percent reduction is required.
(g)
Commercial or industrial users.
(1)
All actions listed above for all water users apply to commercial
and industrial users.
(2)
Hotels, restaurants, and bars required to serve drinking water to
patrons on an "on demand" basis.
(3)
Hotels are required to implement laundry conservation measures by
encouraging patrons to reuse linens and towels.
(4)
Stock at commercial plant nursery may be watered only with a hand-held
hose, handheld watering can, or drip irrigation system.
(5)
Commercial and industrial water users required to reduce water use
by a set percentage determined by the Willow Park city manager or
their official designee.
(6)
Use of water from hydrants for any purpose other than firefighting
related activities or other activities necessary to maintain public
health, safety and welfare requires a special permit issued by the
Willow Park city manager or their official designee. Fire hydrant
use may be limited to only designated hydrants.
(Ordinance 904-24 adopted 5/14/2024)
(a)
The Willow Park city manager or their official designee may
grant temporary variances for existing water uses otherwise prohibited
under this plan if one or more of the following conditions are 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 or denied at the discretion of the
Willow Park city manager or their official designee. All petitions
for variances should be in writing, using the forms provided, and
must 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 the relief requested.
(6)
Period of time for which the variance is sought.
(7)
Detailed schedule of irrigation that shows a reduction in use
over the 30-day period for new lawns and landscapes. Schedule should
be designed so that at the end of the 30-day period, lawn and landscaped
areas can adhere to the twice-per-week schedule defined in Stage 1.
(8)
Alternative measures that will be taken to reduce water use.
(9)
Other pertinent information.
(c)
Applicants must adhere to the current restrictions and current watering
schedule until the city has approved the variance. Once an approved
variance has expired applicants must resort back to the current watering
schedule. Reasons for a variance can include one or more of the following:
(1)
Water used outside of the water schedule is a primary source of income.
(2)
Health, safety, well-being, or cleanliness of the public or environment
is in jeopardy.
(3)
An endangered plant, animal, aquatic species, or critical environmental
feature is at risk.
(4)
Property is too large to be completely watered under the current
watering schedule and must be watered in sections (excluding new landscape/xeriscape
projects).
(5)
Newly installed xeriscape landscape design requires an alternative
watering schedule.
(Ordinance 904-24 adopted 5/14/2024)
Mandatory water use restrictions may be imposed in Stages 1,
2, and 3. The penalties associated with the mandatory water use restrictions
are explained below and included in the ordinance enacting this plan.
The city reserves the right to issue citations in lieu of administrative
fees.
(1)
Stage 1.
(A)
Violations must be observed by the city manager or their designee.
Violations will be documented by electronic photographs and filed
for review.
(B)
First-time violations will be notified of their violation and be
warned of the actions that will be imposed after additional violations.
(C)
For the second violation, a $100.00 administrative fee will be included
on the next available water bill. The $100.00 administrative fee will
be waived or credited after the completion of a free irrigation check-up
of the violating system, performed by a licensed irrigator contracted
with the city.
(D)
For additional violations, the sprinkler system will be disconnected,
with a $200.00 administrative fee included on the next available water
bill after the third violation, followed by a $300.00 administrative
fee after the fourth and any subsequent violations. All administrative
fees will be waived or credited after completion of a free irrigation
check-up of the violating system, performed by a licensed irrigator
contracted with the city. In the event that the city disconnects the
sprinkler system, the city may assess additional administrative fees.
(E)
Unpaid assessed administrative fees related to violations of water
use restrictions shall incur late payment penalties and may result
in termination of water service.
(2)
Stage 2.
(A)
Violations must be observed by the city manager or their designee.
Violations will be documented by electronic photographs and filed
for review.
(B)
First-time violations will have the sprinkler system disconnected
and a $100.00 administrative fee included on the next available water
bill. The $100.00 administrative fee will be waived or credited after
the completion of a free irrigation check-up of the violating system,
performed by a licensed irrigator contracted with the city. In the
event that the city disconnects the sprinkler system, the city may
assess additional administrative fees.
(C)
For the second violation, a $200.00 administrative fee will be included
on the next available water bill. For additional violations, the sprinkler
system will be disconnected, with a $200.00 administrative fee included
on the next available water bill after the third violation, followed
by a $300.00 administrative fee after the fourth and any subsequent
violations. In the event that the city disconnects the sprinkler system,
the city may assess additional administrative fees.
(D)
Unpaid assessed administrative fees related to violations of water
use restrictions shall incur late payment penalties and may result
in termination of water service.
(3)
Stage 3.
(A)
Violations must be observed by the city manager or their designee.
Violations will be documented by electronic photographs and filed
for review.
(B)
First-time violations will have the sprinkler system disconnected
and a $100.00 administrative fee included on the next available water
bill. The $100.00 administrative fee will be waived or credited after
the completion of a free irrigation check-up of the violating system.
In the event that the city disconnects the sprinkler system, the city
may assess additional administrative fees.
(C)
For the second violation, a $200.00 administrative fee will be included
on the next available water bill. For additional violations, the sprinkler
system will be disconnected, with a $200.00 administrative fee included
on the next available water bill after the third violation, followed
by a $300.00 administrative fee after the fourth and any subsequent
violations. In the event that the city disconnects the sprinkler system,
the city may assess additional administrative fees.
(D)
Unpaid assessed administrative fees related to violations of water
use restrictions shall incur late payment penalties and may result
in termination of water service.
(4)
Optional administrative remedies–Contesting administrative
fees.
A customer may appeal the assessment of an administrative
fee by requesting in writing to the city manager or their designee
that the fee be waived, providing all information to support the removal
of the fee. The customer shall bear the burden of proof to show why
the administrative fee should not be assessed. the city manager or
their designee shall send written notice within three business days
after receiving the first packet of information, and that decision
shall be final and binding.
(Ordinance 904-24 adopted 5/14/2024)
As required by TCEQ rules, the City of Willow Park will review
this plan at least every five (5) years. The plan will be updated
as appropriate based on new or updated information.
(Ordinance 904-24 adopted 5/14/2024)
