Ord 2024-4024_Adopting Drought Contingency Plan

Browse Search

ORDINANCE NO.2024 - 4024 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, AND AMENDING CHAPTER 74 "UTILITIES" OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, BY CREATING NEW ARTICLE IV "DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN"; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; CONTAINING A REPEALING CLAUSE; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS Section 1. Chapter 74, "Utilities" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Porte, Texas, is hereby amended by adding new Article IV "Drought Contingency Plans", which article shall hereinafter read as follows, to wit: "ARTICLE IV. — DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLANS DIVISION 1. —CITY OF LA PORTE DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN Sec. 74--350 - Declaration of policy, purpose and intent. (a) This article may be referred to as the drought contingency plan (the plan) and is adopted in order to conserve the available water supply and protect the integrity of water supply facilities, with particular regard for domestic water use, sanitation, and fire protection, and to protect and preserve public health, welfare and safety and minimize the adverse impacts of water supply shortage or other water supply emergency conditions. (b) Water uses regulated or prohibited under this drought contingency plan are considered to be nonessential and continuation of such uses during times of water shortage or other emergency water supply condition are deemed to constitute a waste of water which subjects an offender to the penalties described in this article. Sec. 74-351. - Application. This drought contingency plan shall apply to all persons, customers, and property utilizing water provided by the city. The terms "person" and "customer" as used in the plan include individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, and all other legal entities. Sec. 74-352 - Drought Contingency Plan Adopted A. INTRODUCTION Drought, or a number of other uncontrollable circumstances, can disrupt the normal availability of community or utility water supplies. Even though a city may have an adequate water supply, the supply could become contaminated, or a disaster could destroy the supply. System treatment, storage, or distribution failures can also present a city or utility with an emergency demand management situation.