HomeMy WebLinkAboutO-2011-3361 amend Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan/tabled-bring back 7/11/11 C
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Agenda Date Requested: June 27, 2011 Appropriation
Requested By: David Mick Source of Funds: N/A
Department: Public Works Account Number: N/A
Report: Resolution: Ordinance: XX Amount Budgeted•N /A.
Exhibits: City of La Porte Plan (markup) Amount Requested:
Exhibits: City of La Porte Plan (clean) R»r1¢ptpd If N/A
Exhibits: Prnpoged Ordinance
SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION
The City of La Porte's Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan is adopted by City
Council ordinance. The plan was most recently updated in 2009 by Ordinance 2009 -3136. Council
is aware that the city water usage surpassed the plan trigger for Stage 1 "Mild Conditions" drought
contingency on June 15, 2011.
Staff is recommending three changes to the current plan in the event that it becomes necessary to
proceed with Stage 2. Revision #1: Add a provision to the Stage 2 "Moderate Conditions" plan
providing for a surcharge in the user's water bill of 50% with a violation of the mandatory water use
restrictions outlined in the plan. There are already provisions in the Stage 3 "Severe Conditions"
component of the plan for a surcharge of 100% - 200% for excessive water use. The current plan
does not include a penalty associated with Stage 2. Note that a typical residential water bill is
approximately $70 /month. Revision #2: The current plan includes a lawn watering schedule for the
Stage 2 condition of every other day during restricted hours with the odd - numbered addresses
watering on even - numbered dates, even - numbered addresses watering on odd - numbered dates. Staff
would like to revise this to an odd/odd, even/even lawn watering schedule. Revision #3: Update the
public notification process outlined in the Information/Education component of the plan to reflect the
media outlets now available to the City.
Other considerations:
This is a change to the City of La Porte plan. Staff will advise the La Porte Area Water Authority
(LPAWA) of the revisions to the city plan and route any future revisions the Water Authority plan
through their board before bringing that plan back to City Council. As of June 16, the total Water
Authority usage remains well below the Stage 1 plan trigger because the LPAWA Plan considers
surface water consumption only. This differs from the City plan which considers both surface and
ground water consumption.
Staff has been advised by the City Attorney's Office that any city employee can likely qualify as a
witness to confirm a violation of the mandatory components of the plan as long as they document
each episode in writing.
Action Required by Council:
Approve new ordinance amending the City's Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan.
A s . r ATM for _/ i ■ Council A. enda
•
1 /Li
Ron Bottoms, City Manager er Date
•
mark up Drought Contingency Plan- La Porte June 2011 UDdatedoc (2) ` : • : • • - - • f
l Formatted: Highlight
CITY OF LA PORTE
DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN
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.
During drought periods, consumer demand is often significantly higher than normal. Some
older systems, or systems serving rapidly growing areas, may not have the capacity to meet
higher than average demands without system failure or other unwanted consequences.
System treatment, storage, or distribution failures can also present a city or utility with an
emergency demand management situation.
It is important to distinguish drought contingency planning from water conservation planning.
While water conservation involves implementing permanent water use efficiency or reuse
practices, drought contingency plans establish temporary methods or techniques designed to
be used only as long as an emergency exists.
An effective drought contingency plan will need to include the following six elements:
1. Trigger Conditions signaling the start of an emergency period;
2. Drought contingency measures;
3. Information and education;
4. Initiation procedures;
5. Termination notification actions; and
6. Means of implementation.
B. SYSTEM CONSTRAINTS
The La Porte Area Water Authority is composed of three (3) entities - the cities of La Porte,
Morgan's Point, and Shoreacres. The Authority purchased production capacity from the City
of Houston's Southeast Water Purification Plant. In addition, the Authority purchased
pumping capacity, or peaking capacity, at 1.25 times the production capacity. Listed below is
the production and pumping capacity for each entity, together with total capacity'.
CUSTOMER PRODUCTION PUMPING
CAPACITY CAPACITY
(MGD) (MGD)
La Porte 6.302 7.879
Morgan's Point 0.555 0.694
Shoreacres 0.343 0.429
TOTAL 7.20 9.000
2001 Capacity Figures
Page 1 of 5
mark up Drought Contingency Plan- La Porte June 2011 Updatedoc (2) ` : • _
f Formatted: Highlight
In addition, each entity has the ability to supply its entire water supply through groundwater
production from wells. After 1990, the Harris- Galveston Coastal Subsidence District decreed
that no more than ten per cent (10 %) of each entity's yearly water production can be produced
from groundwater. Although additional pumping capacity is planned for peak purposes,
groundwater production will be utilized for peaking purposes whenever possible.
Temporary reductions or disruptions in surface water supply can be offset by increased
groundwater withdrawals. Careful monitoring and management of groundwater withdrawal
is necessary to avoid exceeding the yearly ten per cent (10 %) limit above.
Long -term reductions or disruptions in surface water supply would require special permission
from the Subsidence District to exceed allowable groundwater withdrawal. It is anticipated
that conservation measures would be required by the District to allow increased groundwater
withdrawal.
C. TRIGGER CONDITIONS
Production amounts are based on a seven (7) day average daily demand, and include the
permitted withdrawal of groundwater.
1. Mild Conditions:
a. Surface water demand approaching 6,933,000 gallons /day (80% of the pumping
capacity owned by the Authority at the Southeast Water Purification Plant plus
allowed groundwater withdrawal).
Or,
b. Production at the Southeast Water Purification Plant reduced to a point such that
the aggregate surface water demand of the Authority is 80% of the reduced
pumping capacity.
2. Moderate Conditions
a. Surface water demand approaching 7,799,000 gallons /day (90% of the pumping
capacity owned by the Authority at the Southeast Water Purification Plant plus
allowed groundwater withdrawal).
Or,
b. Production at the Southeast Water Purification Plant reduced to a point that the
aggregate demand of the Authority is 90% of the reduced pumping capacity.
3. Severe Conditions
a. Surface water demand approaching 8,666,000 gallons /day (100% of the pumping
capacity owned by the Authority at the Southeast Water Purification Plant plus
allowed groundwater withdrawal).
Or,
Page 2 of 5
mark up Drought Contingency Plan- La Porte June 2011 Updatedoc (2) ` :. .
i f Formatted: Highlight
b. Production at the Southeast Water Purification Plant reduced to a point such that
the aggregate surface water demand of the Authority is 100% of the reduced
pumping capacity.
4. Critical Conditions
a. Surface water demand exceeds 8,666,000 gallons /day.
Or,
b. Production at the Southeast Water Purification Plant reduced to a point such that
the aggregate surface water demand of the Authority exceeds the reduced
production, including complete failure of the plant to produce any water.
D. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The following actions shall be taken by the City when Trigger conditions are reached:
1. Mild Conditions Stage 11 f Formatted: Highlight
a. Inform the public through the news media that a trigger condition has been
reached, and that they should look for ways to voluntarily reduce water use.
Specific steps which can be taken will be provided through the news media.
b. Notify major commercial water users of the situation and request voluntary water
use reductions.
c. Publicize a voluntary lawn watering schedule.
d. During winter months, request water users to insulate pipes rather than running
water to prevent freezing.
2. Moderate Conditions jSt g 2) { Formatted: Highlight
a. Continue implementation of all relevant actions in preceding phase.
b. Car washing, window washing, pavement washing prohibited except when a
bucket is used.
c. The following mandatory lawn watering schedule shall be implemented:
Customers with even numbered street addresses may water on - even { Formatted: Highlight
numbered days of the month. Customers with odd numbered street addresses
may water on pvei -odd numbered days of the week. Watering shall only occur { Formatted: Highlight
between the hours of 6 -10 a.m. and 8 -10 p.m.
d. The following public water uses, not essential for public health or safety, are
prohibited:
Page 3 of 5
mark p Drought Contingency Plan- La Porte June 2011 Updatedoc (2)Drought Contingency Plan La
{ Formatted: Highlight
1. street washing
2. water hydrant flushing
3. filling pools
4. athletic field watering
e J1 1er ?1t 50° /P 9E §Wcharr t2 the use's woe 1? l j f9rPPY Yio f 4r pf thy, Formatted: Font: Not Italic, Highlight
eV1 • z h'r i, t ea« t f c o f« « .,« - tJ « t r « t _ t 1 ' { Formatted: Highlight
4 _ :es . « 3 V _o an _ : «' C -! 0 ? 1 Formatted: Font: Not Italic, Highlight
Lot r ! V1* ' «�...,�
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f.Notification shall be made to the Executive Director, within 5 business days of the , Formatted: Strikethrough, Highlight
implementation of any mandatory provisions of the Drought Contingency Plan. ( Formatted: Highlight
{ Formatted: Font: Not Italic, Highlight 3
3. Severe Conditions e 3)
��._ � Formatted: Highlight
a. Continue implementation of all relevant actions in preceding phase; formatted: Font: Not Italic, Highlight
Formatted: Highlight
b. All outdoor use is prohibited. Such use includes, but is not limited to the Formatted: Font: Not Italic, Highlight
following: lawn watering, car washing, pavement washing; t Formatted: Font: Not Italic
c. Implement a user surcharge for excessive water use, as follows: Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.75 ", First tine: 0"
Formatted: Highlight 3
5/8" meter over 5,000 gallons /month 200%
1 -1 1/2" meter over 10,000 gallons /month 200%
2" and larger over 15,000 gallons/month 200%
2" and larger over 20,000 gallons /month 300%
4. Critical Conditions .(Srage 4) {Formatted: Highlight
a. Continue implementation of all relevant actions in preceding phase.
b. Petition the Harris- Galveston Coastal Subsidence District for appropriate
increase in allowable groundwater withdrawal.
c. Ration or terminate water service to selected portions of the system according to
the following order:
1. Industrial/Institutional Users
2. Commercial Users
3. Residential Users
4. Public Health and Safety Facilities
d. Individual users may request a variance from water curtailment by appealing to
the City Manager. The City Manager's decision will be final.
5. Specific Targets for Water Use Reduction
a. Mild Condition Goal — To achieve a voluntary 10 percent reduction in daily
water use.
b. Moderate Condition Goal - To achieve a 15 percent reduction in daily water use.
Page 4 of 5
mark up Drought Contingency Plan- La Porte June 2011 Updatedoc (2) e • • ` •• : - • : • .
{ Formatted: Highlight
c. Severe Condition Goal - To achieve a 25 percent reduction in daily water use.
d. Critical Condition Goal - To achieve a 30 percent reduction in daily water use.
E. INFORMATION/EDUCATION
As a component of the Information/Education section in the Water Conservation Plan, the
purpose and effect of the Drought Contingency Plan will be communicated to the public
through articles p noti ` in the • w 9 r : City_ ofT a Porte Formatted: Highlight
websit S }, and other ** .-media outlets such as email. text, social media public access { Formatted: Highlight
tel + Y oa a, !.+ + . sr °- a e ® y e L $ b 3i 1 ° e {Formatted: Highlight
Throughout the period of a trigger condition, regular prtieles -up will appear jr} the { Formatted: Highlight
various media outlets to explain and educate the public on the purpose, cause, and methods of Formatted: Highlight
conservation for that condition.
F. IMPLEMENTATION/ENFORCMENT
The plan shall be implemented by Ordinance of the City Council of the city of La Porte.
Included in the adoption instrument will be individual trigger conditions for the city. A copy
of the adoption vehicle is found in Appendix B.
It will be the responsibility of the City of La Porte Public Works Director to monitor, through
the utility department, the status of the water supply and distribution system. When a trigger
condition is reached, the Public Works Director will notify the public through its information
program, of the implementation of the Drought Contingency Plan.
The Public Works Director will continue to monitor the water emergency until it is
determined that the trigger condition no longer exists. When this takes place, the Public
Works Director will notify the public of such, and the Drought Condition Abatement
procedures will be implemented.
G. UPDATE OF TRIGGER CONDITIONS
Once a year, the City will examine the production requirements and ability to maintain these
requirements to determine if trigger conditions need to be reestablished. Consideration
should be given to the city's usage in relation to the aggregate usage, and any anticipated
increase in production at the Southeast Water Purification Plant.
Page 5 of 5
Clean Drought Contingency Plan- La Porte June 2011 Updatedoc (3)
CITY OF LA PORTE
DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN
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.
During drought periods, consumer demand is often significantly higher than normal. Some
older systems, or systems serving rapidly growing areas, may not have the capacity to meet
higher than average demands without system failure or other unwanted consequences.
System treatment, storage, or distribution failures can also present a city or utility with an
emergency demand management situation.
It is important to distinguish drought contingency planning from water conservation planning.
While water conservation involves implementing permanent water use efficiency or reuse
practices, drought contingency plans establish temporary methods or techniques designed to
be used only as long as an emergency exists.
An effective drought contingency plan will need to include the following six elements:
1. Trigger Conditions signaling the start of an emergency period;
2. Drought contingency measures;
3. Information and education;
4. Initiation procedures;
5. Termination notification actions; and
6. Means of implementation.
B. SYSTEM CONSTRAINTS
The La Porte Area Water Authority is composed of three (3) entities - the cities of La Porte,
Morgan's Point, and Shoreacres. The Authority purchased production capacity from the City
of Houston's Southeast Water Purification Plant. In addition, the Authority purchased
pumping capacity, or peaking capacity, at 1.25 times the production capacity. Listed below is
the production and pumping capacity for each entity, together with total capacity'.
CUSTOMER PRODUCTION PUMPING
CAPACITY CAPACITY
(MGD) (MGD)
La Porte 6.302 7.879
Morgan's Point 0.555 0.694
Shoreacres 0.343 0.429
TOTAL 7.20 9.000
2001 Capacity Figures
Page 1 of 5
Clean Drought Contingency Plan- La Porte June 2011 Updatedoc (3)
In addition, each entity has the ability to supply its entire water supply through groundwater
production from wells. After 1990, the Harris- Galveston Coastal Subsidence District decreed
that no more than ten per cent (10 %) of each entity's yearly water production can be produced
from groundwater. Although additional pumping capacity is planned for peak purposes,
groundwater production will be utilized for peaking purposes whenever possible.
Temporary reductions or disruptions in surface water supply can be offset by increased
groundwater withdrawals. Careful monitoring and management of groundwater withdrawal
is necessary to avoid exceeding the yearly ten per cent (10 %) limit above.
Long -term reductions or disruptions in surface water supply would require special permission
from the Subsidence District to exceed allowable groundwater withdrawal. It is anticipated
that conservation measures would be required by the District to allow increased groundwater
withdrawal.
C. TRIGGER CONDITIONS
Production amounts are based on a seven (7) day average daily demand, and include the
permitted withdrawal of groundwater.
1. Mild Conditions:
a. Surface water demand approaching 6,933,000 gallons /day (80% of the pumping
capacity owned by the Authority at the Southeast Water Purification Plant plus
allowed groundwater withdrawal).
Or,
b. Production at the Southeast Water Purification Plant reduced to a point such that
the aggregate surface water demand of the Authority is 80% of the reduced
pumping capacity.
2. Moderate Conditions
a. Surface water demand approaching 7,799,000 gallons /day (90% of the pumping
capacity owned by the Authority at the Southeast Water Purification Plant plus
allowed groundwater withdrawal).
Or,
b. Production at the Southeast Water Purification Plant reduced to a point that the
aggregate demand of the Authority is 90% of the reduced pumping capacity.
3. Severe Conditions
a. Surface water demand approaching 8,666,000 gallons /day (100% of the pumping
capacity owned by the Authority at the Southeast Water Purification Plant plus
allowed groundwater withdrawal).
Or,
Page 2 of 5
Clean Drought Contingency Plan- La Porte June 2011 Updatedoc (3)
b. Production at the Southeast Water Purification Plant reduced to a point such that
the aggregate surface water demand of the Authority is 100% of the reduced
pumping capacity.
4. Critical Conditions
a. Surface water demand exceeds 8,666,000 gallons /day.
Or,
b. Production at the Southeast Water Purification Plant reduced to a point such that
the aggregate surface water demand of the Authority exceeds the reduced
production, including complete failure of the plant to produce any water.
D. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The following actions shall be taken by the City when Trigger conditions are reached:
1. Mild Conditions (Stage 1)
a. Inform the public through the news media that a trigger condition has been
reached, and that they should look for ways to voluntarily reduce water use.
Specific steps which can be taken will be provided through the news media.
b. Notify major commercial water users of the situation and request voluntary water
use reductions.
c. Publicize a voluntary lawn watering schedule.
d. During winter months, request water users to insulate pipes rather than running
water to prevent freezing.
2. Moderate Conditions (Stage 2)
a. Continue implementation of all relevant actions in preceding phase.
b. Car washing, window washing, pavement washing prohibited except when a
bucket is used.
c. The following mandatory lawn watering schedule shall be implemented:
Customers with even numbered street addresses may water on even numbered
days of the month. Customers with odd numbered street addresses may water on
odd numbered days of the week. Watering shall only occur between the hours of
6 -10 a.m. and 8 -10 p.m.
d. The following public water uses, not essential for public health or safety, are
prohibited:
Page 3 of 5
Clean Drought Contingency Plan- La Porte June 2011 Updatedoc (3)
1. street washing
2. water hydrant flushing
3. filling pools
4. athletic field watering
e. Implement a 50% user surcharge to the user's water bill for any violation of the
provisions herein provided for Moderate Conditions (Stage 2). The 50%
surcharge added for each separate violation shall be calculated for the entire
month in which the violation(s) occurred.
f.Notification shall be made to the Executive Director, within 5 business days of the
implementation of any mandatory provisions of the Drought Contingency Plan.
3. Severe Conditions (Stage 3)
a. Continue implementation of all relevant actions in preceding phase;
b. All outdoor use is prohibited. Such use includes, but is not limited to the
following: lawn watering, car washing, pavement washing;
c. Implement a user surcharge for excessive water use, as follows:
5/8" meter over 5,000 gallons /month 200%
1 -1 1/2" meter over 10,000 gallons /month 200%
2" and larger over 15,000 gallons /month 200%
2" and larger over 20,000 gallons /month 300%
4. Critical Conditions (Stage 4)
a. Continue implementation of all relevant actions in preceding phase.
b. Petition the Harris- Galveston Coastal Subsidence District for appropriate
increase in allowable groundwater withdrawal.
c. Ration or terminate water service to selected portions of the system according to
the following order:
1. Industrial/Institutional Users
2. Commercial Users
3. Residential Users
4. Public Health and Safety Facilities
d. Individual users may request a variance from water curtailment by appealing to
the City Manager. The City Manager's decision will be final.
5. Specific Targets for Water Use Reduction
a. Mild Condition Goal — To achieve a voluntary 10 percent reduction in daily
water use.
b. Moderate Condition Goal - To achieve a 15 percent reduction in daily water use.
Page 4 of 5
Clean Drought Contingency Plan- La Porte June 2011 Updatedoc (3)
c. Severe Condition Goal - To achieve a 25 percent reduction in daily water use.
d. Critical Condition Goal — To achieve a 30 percent reduction in daily water use.
E. INFORMATION/EDUCATION
As a component of the Information/Education section in the Water Conservation Plan, the
purpose and effect of the Drought Contingency Plan will be communicated to the public
through an article or notice in the Bay Area Observer, City of La Porte website(s), and other
media outlets such as email, text, social media, public access television station, or
programmed phone alerts regularly utilized by the City of La Porte.
Throughout the period of a trigger condition, regular updates will appear in the various media
outlets to explain and educate the public on the purpose, cause, and methods of conservation
for that condition.
F. IMPLEMENTATIONIENFORCMENT
The plan shall be implemented by Ordinance of the City Council of the city of La Porte.
Included in the adoption instrument will be individual trigger conditions for the city. A copy
of the adoption vehicle is found in Appendix B.
It will be the responsibility of the City of La Porte Public Works Director to monitor, through
the utility department, the status of the water supply and distribution system. When a trigger
condition is reached, the Public Works Director will notify the public through its information
program, of the implementation of the Drought Contingency Plan.
The Public Works Director will continue to monitor the water emergency until it is
determined that the trigger condition no longer exists. When this takes place, the Public
Works Director will notify the public of such, and the Drought Condition Abatement
procedures will be implemented.
G. UPDATE OF TRIGGER CONDITIONS
Once a year, the City will examine the production requirements and ability to maintain these
requirements to determine if trigger conditions need to be reestablished. Consideration
should be given to the city's usage in relation to the aggregate usage, and any anticipated
increase in production at the Southeast Water Purification Plant.
Page 5 of 5
ORDINANCE NO. 2011- 33(p
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WATER CONSERVATION AND DROUGHT
CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF LA PORTE; MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS
AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE
OPEN MEETINS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
WHEREAS, the City of La Porte, Texas, has adopted a Water Conservation and
Drought Contingency Plan by City Ordinance 2009 -3136, and
WHEREAS, Council desires to amend the current plan to include a penalty for
violating the mandatory water usage restrictions in the Stage 2 "Moderate
Conditions" plan component equal to a 50% surcharge to the water user's water
bill for each violation, and
WHEREAS, Council further desires to amend the current plan to provide for a lawn
watering schedule in the Stage 2 condition of odd - numbered addresses watering
on odd - numbered dates and even - numbered addresses watering on even -
numbered dates, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA
PORTE:
Section 1. The La Porte City Council hereby approves and adopts the June 16,
2011 Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan update in substantially
the form as shown in the document which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and
incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. The La Porte City Council officially finds, determines, recites, and
declares that a sufficient written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of this
meeting of the City Council was posted at a place convenient to the public at the
City Hall of the City for the time required by law preceding this meeting, as required
by the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code; and that this
meeting has been open to the public as required by law at all times during which
this resolution and the subject matter thereof has been discussed, considered and
formally acted upon. The City Council further ratifies, approves and confirms such
written notice and the contents and posting thereof.
1
Section 3. This Ordinance shall be effective from and after its passage and
approval and it is so ordered.
PASSED AND APPROVED this day of , 2011.
CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS
By:
• Louis R. Rigby
Mayor
ATTEST:
Patrice Fogarty
City Secretary
APPROVED:
Clark Askins
Assistant City Attorney
2