O-2011-3361 amend Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan/Tabled-bring back 7/25/11

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What is the purpose of the drought contingency plan? Primarily it is a document that ensures public safety and integrity of the water distribution system. A byproduct of excessive water demand is low water pressure. Without sufficient water pressure, the system's ability to provide adequate fire flow and to maintain safe drinking water quality is compromised. The status of the city water distribution system at various line pressures can be approximately described as follows (depending on location): Water System Response to Low Pressure 56 psi Water Tanks Full 52 psi Water Tanks at 75% 49 psi Water Tanks at 50% 46 psi Water Tanks at 25% - Start of concern for firefighting capabilities 43 psi Water Tanks at 0% - Firefighting capabilities are greatly diminished 35 psi Minimum TCEQ Design Pressure Requirement 20 psi or less If any part of the water system is dewatered, notify TCEQ. Issue boil advisory for any affected area. If no dewatering occurred, flush and take water samples. There were brief periods (lasting several hours) leading up to La Porte's recent activation of Stage 1 voluntary reduction alert that the water pressure was approximately 45 psi (perhaps as low as 40 psi in some areas). At 20 psi or less, there is some potential for backflow into the water distribution system. Undetected leaks and water from any plumbing connection that is open to the system can siphon back into the system. If a system were to run out of water due to a significant power outage or where demand exceeds the system capacity, the City would be looking at a city-wide boil advisory, taking water samples at strategic locations city-wide, and perhaps also flushing the entire system. Maintaining the system pressure above 20 psi is critical. When the water consumption demand in the system rises sufficiently enough to cause concern, it is important that a city official have the ability to act quickly to increase the system output (if possible) or attempt to reduce the demand. The current drought contingency plan, adopted by City Ordinance, gives the Public Works Director the authority to implement the provisions of the plan as necessary. Drought Contingency Plan Provisions: The current drought contingency plan for the City of La Porte is attached. There are four alert levels ranging from Stage 1 "Mild Conditions" to Stage 4 "Critical Conditions ". Stage 1 outlines voluntary water reduction measures for water customers; Stages 2 — 4 contain mandatory measures. Stages 3 and 4 have penalties associated with already them in the form surcharges to the user for non- compliance. Stage 2, though "mandatory" compliance is included in this stage, does not include an associated penalty. Title 30, Part 1, Section 288.20(a)(1)(J) of the Texas Administrative Code reads: