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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-04-09 La Porte Area Water Authority LA PORTE AREA WATER AUTHORITY MINUTES FEBRUARY 4, 2009 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by President Steve Valerius. Members Present: President Steve Valerius. Members Absent: Member Dennis Steger Member Robert Roy Others Present: Member-Elect David Janda and Kenneth Schlather, General Manager Ron Bottoms, Director of Public Works Steve Gillett, Director of Finance Michael Dolby, Controller Phyllis Rinehart and Paula Lowe of Pattillo, Brown & Hill. 2. The Oath of Office was administered to David Janda and Kenneth Schlather by President Steve Valerius. 3. With the vacancy of Vice-President and Secretary, President Steve Valerius nominated David Janda as Vice President. Seconded by Ken Schlather. Motion was unanimous. Motion by President Steve Valerius to nominate Ken Schlather as Secretary. Seconded by Vice President David Janda. Motion was unanimous. 4. The minutes from the meeting held June 22, 2008 were reviewed. Motion by Steve Valerius, second by David Janda to approve the minutes as presented. Motion was unanimous. 5. Auditor Paula Lowe distributed copies of the Audit Report. She reviewed the audit process, and stated that Pattillo, Brown & Hill was issuing an unqualified opinion of the Authority's annual financial reports, which is the highest opinion that can be given. She also reviewed the three (3) main sections of the Report: (1) Management's Discussion and Analysis; Basic Financial Statements and (3) Supplemental Information. Steve Valerius had questions regarding the safety of the Authority's investments. Auditor Paula Lowe stated that the Authority's investments are within the City's guidelines and there are no impairments of current assets. Michael Dolby additionally stated that Certificates of Deposit with our depository bank are backed by letters of credit. Motion by Ken Slather, seconded by David Janda to accept the Audit as presented. 6. There were no General Manager's comments. 7. 8. no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6: 16 PM. ~-"<e.,-~, ~-nL, ~ ~'" \..--+~" f l ~c ather, Secretary '- 22- 2cb7 / RESOLUTION NO. 2009-01 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AMENDMENTS TO THE WATER CONSERVATION AND DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN OF THE LA PORTE AREA WATER AUTHORITY; MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE LA PORTE AREA WATER AUTHORITY: Section 1. The Authority hereby approves and authorizes the undertaking described in the title of this Resolution, in substantially the form as shown in the document which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by reference. Section 2. The Authority officially finds, determines, recites and declares that a sufficient written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of this meeting of the Authority was posted at a place convenient to the public at the City Hall of the City of La Porte for the time required by law proceeding this meeting, as required by the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code; and that the 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 Authority further ratifies, approves and confirms such written notice and the contents and posting thereof. Section 3. This Resolution shall be effective from and after its passage and approval, and it is so ordered. PASSED AND APPROVED, this the 22nd day of April By: President Board of Directors ATTEST: ~ ~~c k~ Schk-1!,w. Secretary La Porte Area Water Authority Water Conservation Plan Adopted April 1987 Updated: April 1999 April 2005 March 2009 LA PORTE AREA WATER AUTHORITY WATER CONSERVATION PLAN A. BACKGROUND In 1981 the State of Texas created the La Porte Area Water Authority for the purpose, among others, of acquiring, treating, and delivering water to member water districts and industries throughout Southeast Harris County. The Authority has the right to serve any utility within a thirty (30) mile radius of the Authority's boundary. The present area within the Authority's boundary encompasses approximately 20,600 acres. A mandate by the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District to convert to surface water by the year 1990 has resulted in the study of the surface water problem by the Authority. Various alternatives have been investigated, and it has been concluded that the most cost effective method to provide an adequate supply of treated surface water to Southeast Harris County is to buy capacity at the new Southeast Water Purification Plant, and construct transmission and distribution mains to identified customers. Customers included are the cities of La Porte, Morgan's Point, and Shoreacres. Since the early 1960's per capita water usage in the State has increased about four (4) gallons per person, per decade. More important, per capita water use during droughts is usually about one-third greater than during periods of average precipitation. Many communities throughout the United States have used conservation measures to successfully cope with various water and wastewater problems. Reduction in water use as much as 25% or more have been achieved, but the normal range is from 5 to 15%. As a result of reduced water use, wastewater flows have also been reduced by 5 to 10%. B. PURPOSE AND INTENT The purpose of a Water Conservation Plan is to reduce the quantity required for each water using activity, insofar as is practical, through the implementation of efficient water use practices. The plan defines objectives and specific targets to reduce the loss and waste of water resources and improve efficiency in the use of water. The purpose of this report is to present the data collected, alternatives, and elements selected for the La Porte Area Water Authority Water Conservation Plan and to provide procedures and information for the implementation of the plan. Nine (9) principal water conservation methods to be considered in preparing a water conservation plan are as follows: Education and Information Plumbing codes for new construction Retrofit programs Conservation oriented water rate structures Universal metering and meter repair and replacement Water conserving landscaping Leak detection and repair Recycling and reuse Means of implementation and enforcement 2 C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PUBLIC AT LARGE: LA PORTE The City of La Porte holds regular City Council meetings on the second and fourth Monday of each month. The meetings are open to the public, and citizens are free to speak on any subject during the portion of the meeting designated for this purpose. LA PORTE AREA WATER AUTHORITY The La Porte Area Water Authority holds Board meetings as needed to conduct Authority business. The meetings are open to the public, and citizens are free to speak to the Authority at these meetings. MORGAN'S POINT: The City of Morgan's Point holds regular City Council meetings on the second Tuesday and fourth Monday of each month. The meetings are open to the public, and citizens are free to speak. SHOREACRES: The City of Shoreacres holds regular City council meetings on the second and fourth Monday of every month. The meetings are open to the public, and citizens are free to speak. D. SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS LA PORTE a. La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce b. Homeowner's Associations c. Various civic and religious organizations MORGAN'S POINT~ a. La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce b. Port of Houston Authority c. Various civic and religious organizations SHOREACRES~ a. La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce b. Houston Yacht Club c. Various civic and religious organizations 3 E. SYSTEM AUDIT I PROBLEMS 1. System Audit: a. Average, seasonal, peak use patterns. Figures 1 through 4 best illustrates average, seasonal, and peak use patterns. Figures 1 through 3 are for individual entities, with Figure 4 representing the total Authority. These figures indicate that the La Porte Area Water Authority follows most cities in having higher average water use in the summer months from lawn watering. The peak to average use ratio (average daily summer use divided by average annual daily use) is 1.32 for the Authority. This ratio is relatively low because of the very humid climate and high average rainfall the area receives. b. Unaccounted water volumes and likely causes. Figures 1 through 4 illustrates the relationship between water production and sales for each individual entity and the Authority as a whole. The difference between production and sales can typically be attributed to all or some of the following: 1. Flushing of water mains 2. Fire fighting 3. Inaccurate metering 4. System leaks 5. Unauthorized water use 6. Unmetered water sales c. Adequacy of treatment, storage, and distribution system. The cities of La Porte, Morgan's Point, and Shoreacres presently obtain 90% of their water supply from surface water supplied by the La Porte Area Water Authority. The surface water is purchased by the Authority from the City of Houston's Southeast Water Purification Plant. The remaining 10% of their water needs are supplied from groundwater wells. The water is tested on a regular basis in accordance with all state and federal regulations. The Cities of La Porte, Morgan's Point and Shoreacres currently have adequate storage facilities required to meet the state's "Minimum Water Quantity Requirements for Public Water Supply Systems". d. Limit of existing supply/potential new sources. It is apparent from the systems audit that all three (3) entities are very capable of providing water to their customers from groundwater sources. In addition, the distribution and transmission systems are adequate to supply their needs for several years. With the conversion to surface water, the adequacy of groundwater supplies to meet peak load demands in any drought contingencies that might occur are apparent. However, due to the constraints imposed by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District on groundwater withdrawal, these sources will only be used to supply peak demand in possible drought contingencies. 4 e. Wastewater collection and treatment system. Currently, only the City of Morgan's Point treat 100% of their own wastewater. The City of La Porte treats 89.9% of their own wastewater. The remainder of the La Porte wastewater flows and the flow from the City of Shoreacres are pumped to a regional wastewater facility owned by the Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority. 2. System Problems: The La Porte Area Water Authority currently has no serious water supply problems. The storage and distribution systems are adequate to supply surface water to its customers through the La Porte Area Water Authority from the City of Houston Southeast Water Purification Plant. F. ALTERNATIVES: Water conservation methods are typically divided into two (2) categories, Demand Management Methods and Supply Management Methods. Demand Management Methods deal with water use on the downstream side of a customer meter. Demand management provides for education or incentives to reduce the water use by the consumer. This method of conservation generally results in a decrease in water revenues because less water is purchased from the City. Supply Management Methods deals with the utility's water system upstream of the customer's meter. The goal of supply management is to improve efficiency and reduce waste within the production treatment, and distribution system. Supply management usually results in decreased costs to the utility as water losses in the system are reduced. 1. DEMAND MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES a. Education and Information: The most readily available and lowest cost method of promoting water conservation is to inform water users about ways to save water inside homes and other buildings, in landscaping and lawn uses, and in recreational uses. An effective education and information program can be easily and inexpensively administered by the La Porte Area Water Authority. Materials available from the American Water Works Association, Texas Water Development Board, and other like associations are made available to its customers, through hand outs, mail outs, and other sources. The La Porte Area Water Authority has adopted the Bayshore Sun as its official newspaper. This publication can be used to print articles concerning water conservation. The cities of La Porte, Morgan's Point and Shoreacres currently participate in the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District's program for education of elementary school students in the importance and methods of water conservation. Each city sponsors the program by funding the program for the students in the school district. 5 b. PlumbinQ Codes: Water saving plumbing codes for new construction and for replacement of plumbing in existing structures may be adopted. The standards recommended by the Texas Water Development Board represent readily available technologies and do not involve additional costs when compared with "standard" fixtures. Water conserving plumbing codes are adopted for that cause. The cities of La Porte, Morgan's Point and Shoreacres utilize standard codes whenever possible. Individual ordinances also may codify particular requirements. c. Retrofit ProQrams: The Cities makes information available through its education programs for plumbers and customers to use when purchasing and installing plumbing fixtures, lawn watering equipment, or water using appliances. Information regarding retrofit devices such as low-flow shower heads or toilet dams that reduce water use by replacing or modifying existing fixtures or appliances should also be provided. d. Water Rate Structures: A water conservation oriented rate structure usually takes the form of an increasing block rate, although continuously increasing rate structures, peak or seasonal load rates, excess use fees, and other rate forms can be used. The increasing block rate structure is the most commonly used water conservation rate structure. Separate rate structures are usually used for commercial, institutional, and industrial customers. All entities use some form of increasing block rate structure. e. Water ConservinQ LandscapinQ: In order to reduce the demands placed on a water system by landscape watering, the city or utility should consider methods that either encourage, by education and information, or require, by code or ordinance, water conserving landscaping by residential customers and commercial establishments engaged in the sale or installation of landscape plants or watering equipment. Because the La Porte Area Water Authority is located on the Gulf Coast, it has a very high annual average rainfall. The need for outdoor watering is not as high as for arid climates. Agricultural land in the area is not irrigated. Although not made a specific section of the Conservation Plan, water conserving landscaping information will be made available through the Information/Education Section. 6 2. SUPPLY MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES a. Universal Meterinq: All public water supply utilities should master meter their water source. In addition, all users, including the utility itself, should be metered. A regularly scheduled maintenance program of meter repair and replacement also needs to be established to ensure that proper metering is taking place. Metering and meter repair and replacement, can be used in conjunction with other programs such as leak detection and repair and, thereby, save significant quantities of water. Nearly all sales in the various entities are metered. Currently, all cities have some form of regular meter repair and replacement program. All production meters for each city are tested yearly. b. Leak Detection and Repair: A continuous leak detection, location, and repair program can be an important part of a water conservation plan. Utility employees for the La Porte Area Water Authority periodically check for leaks when reading meters and while performing regular maintenance. Major leaks are usually quickly detected by either city employees or customers and are repaired immediately. Soil in the area is generally clay and, therefore, leaks show up at the ground surface quite readily. Leak detection technology is also available in the form of electronic sonic devices. c. Recvclinq and Reuse: A city or utility should evaluate the potential of recycling and reuse because these methods may be used to increase water supplies in the utility's service area. Reuse can be especially important where the use of treated effluent from an industry or a municipal system or agricultural return flows replace an existing use that currently requires fresh water from a city's or utility's supply. Recycling of in- plant process or cooling water can reduce the amount of fresh water required by many industrial operations. Currently, La Porte has a water reuse program. Because of its size and daily flows, the reuse of treated effluent for processed water has proven quite economical for the City of La Porte, with an estimated three million gallons per month being used for this purpose. The City of La Porte's Municipal Golf Course along with one of the City parks, Little Cedar Bayou, are irrigated with plant effluent. This resulted in a savings of approximately 60,000,000 gallons of potable water in 2005. 7 G. PLAN OBJECTIVES .:. To reduce water consumption from levels that would prevail without conservation efforts .:. To reduce the loss and waste of water .:. To improve efficiency in the use of water .:. To implement a system to quantify the effects of the plan In accordance with 30 TAC Chapter 288.2, the following five and ten year targets have been established: Five- year tarQet based on 5-year rollinQ annual averaQe 1) Reduce the per capita per day water usage* by 5 percent 2) Maintain a level of unaccounted for water loss at 12 percent or less Ten- year tarQet based on 5 -year rollinQ annual averaQe 1) Reduce the per capita per day water usage* by an additional 5 percent 2) Achieve a level of unaccounted for water loss at 10 percent or less * For the purpose of this plan, per capita water use has been equated to use per connection. The number of connections is more accurate, more easily traceable and does not rely on census information published infrequently. This allows for a yearly tracking instrument with real-time data and results. H. PLAN DESCRIPTION Based on the evaluation of alternatives available to the La Porte Area Water Authority for conserving water, the following elements have been selected as those best suited to the needs of the Authority for water conservation: Continuing Public Education and Information Water conserving plumbing code for new construction Retrofit programs Water rate structures Supply Management Universal metering Meter repair and replacement Leak detection and repair Recycling/reuse 8 1. CONTINUING PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INFORMATION A program of public education and information to promote water conservation by the public has been instituted. The program includes the following: .:. Conservation messages printed on customer's water bills, city websites and community newsletters. .:. The Cities provide support to the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District's "Water Conservation Education Program" that provides water conservation information to the residents through their elementary school children. .:. In addition, all new customers are provided water conservation literature at the time they initially sign up for service. The public education program covers the water saving methods such as those listed in Appendix A "Water Conservation Literature". The La Porte Area Water Authority places special emphasis on the need to insulate pipes to prevent freezing in cold weather, retrofitting of plumbing fixtures and devices, and landscaping conservation methods. The energy savings associated with a water conservation program are also be emphasized. Assistance in obtaining publications and materials for the program is obtained from: Texas Water Development Board; American Water Works Association; Texas Water Utilities Association, American Public Works Association, and the Environmental Protection Agency. 2. WATER CONSERVING PLUMBING CODE The cities of La Porte and Shoreacres have adopted the International Plumbing Code (2006 version). Morgan's Point has adopted the International Plumbing Code (2003 version). 3. RETROFIT PROGRAMS The La Porte Area Water Authority makes information available through its education program for plumbers and customers to use when purchasing and installing plumbing fixtures, lawn watering equipment, or water using appliances. Information regarding retrofitting devices such as low-flow shower heads or toilet dams that reduce water use by replacing or modifying existing fixtures or appliances will also be provided. 4. UNIVERSAL METERING The La Porte Area Water Authority currently meters all water sales from its system. In addition, in response to requirements by the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District, all wells are currently metered at the well head. Well production meters are tested for accuracy on a three year schedule, while meters for purchased surface water are tested on an annual basis. The source water meters are maintained within an accuracy of plus or minus 5%. The program of universal metering will continue and is made a part of the Water Conservation Plan. 9 5. WATER RATE STRUCTURES The cities of La Porte, Shoreacres and Morgan's Point Authority have adopted an Increasing Block Rate structure. Examples of the current water rate structures are attached in Appendix B and are made part of the Water Conservation Plan. 6. METER REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT The City of La Porte currently owns and operates equipment for small meter testing. The testing of large meters is conducted by contract forces. The current meter repair and testing program in place at the City of La Porte has been and will continue to be as follows: 1. Major Production meters - test once per year 2. Minor Production meters - test every 3 years 3. Meters larger than four inch - random testing every 3 years 4. Meters larger than one inch - random testing every 5 years 5. Meters smaller than one inch - random testing every 7 years In addition, the Authority, through its individual customers, will verify that each meter in the system is properly sized for the average volume of water being used in accordance with the manufacturers' specification for the meter. Based on testing and field evaluation, meters in all cities are repaired or replaced as needed. 7. LEAK DETECTION AND REPAIR The cities currently have individual leak detection programs which will be maintained. These programs include: a. Monthly water use accounting by the operations staff which identifies high water use after the service meters which may indicate leaks. b. Visual inspection by utility employees who keep a constant watch out for abnormal conditions indicating leaks or illegal connections. c. An adequate maintenance staff which is available to repair any leaks. d. An annual water accounting or audit is considered be part of the program. Sources of unaccounted for water, once located, are immediately corrected. Data from the audit is used to monitor and evaluate system conditions. 10 8. RECYCLING/REUSE As previously noted, the City of La Porte is the only entity within the La Porte Area Water Authority with the capability of reuse and recycling of treated effluent. Current use includes the recycling of approximate one million gallons per month at the Main La Porte Wastewater Treatment Plant used in process water, i.e., washdown, irrigation. Additionally, as indicated above, recycled water is made available and used by the La Porte Municipal Golf Course and the Little Cedar Bayou Park for irrigation purposes. The amount will vary of course during seasonal and various weathers. No recycling or reuse is anticipated by Morgan's Point or Shoreacres. H. RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM The La Porte Area Water Authority maintains a records management system to monitor and track customer account information and usage data for deliveries and sales. The data for water produced is monitored and recorded to enable accurate tracking of monthly or daily water usage. Water loss form the transmission system is monitored on a monthly schedule. The La Porte Area Water Authority does not operate a surface water reservoir. Therefore an operations plan is not a component of this water conservation plan. I. IMPLEMENTATION I ENFORCEMENT The General Manager of the La Porte Area Water Authority acts as the Administrator of the Water Conservation Program. The Administrator oversees the execution and implementation of all elements of the program. He is also responsible to oversee the keeping of adequate records for program verification. Each entity is responsible for furnishing all information needed and requested by the Authority. The program will be enforced through adoption of the Water Conservation Plan by Ordinance or Resolution. In addition, the entities of the La Porte Area Water Authority have adopted a water conserving plumbing code. The Ordinances and Resolution are found in Appendix C. The appropriate plumbing code listings are found in Appendix D. Each entity will provide certified copies of all ordinances and resolutions concerning water rates, plumbing codes, and other regulatory documents necessary for the administration of this plan, including all updates. J. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS Upon contract renewal or contract extension with The La Porte Area Water Authority each wholesale customer shall develop and implement a water conservation plan or institute water conservation measures using the applicable elements of Title 30, Chapter 288, Subchapter A. If the customer intends to re- sell the water, then each successive wholesale customer shall also implement applicable water conservation measures. This requirement shall be made part of every water supply contract. 11 K. COORDINATION WITH REGIONAL WATER PLANNING GROUPS The service area of the La Porte Area Water Authority is located within Region H of the regional water planning area. The La Porte Area Water Authority has provided a copy of this Water Conservation Plan to the Texas Water Development Board. L. PLAN REVIEW AND UPDATE This water conservation plan will be reviewed and updated, as appropriate, based on an assessment of previous five-year and ten-year targets and any other new or updated information. The La Porte Area Water Authority will review and update the next revision of its Water Conservation Plan and Implementation Report not later than May 1, 2009 and every five years after that date, to coincide with the regional water planning group. Future amendments or updates will be evaluated by the General Manager to determine if a substantial modification exists that would warrant additional review by the Board. 12 e C.) C\I ClS ~ e 0 :::l .c .2> en u. - CD C) ClS fIj ~ ... .s ;: CO 0 0 N 0 0 0 0 0_ 0 0 Lig 0 0 0 8 0 0 8 0_ 0 ci ~ ai ci ci 0 0 0 0 0 ri N 0 ..... o w Cl 6 z t; o a. w en ~ ..... $ ~ (J') o o C\I I $ co "'C a. :::> c co a.. c o :0::; co ~ Q) 1Il C o () c::: ~ co W l.L. I ---, ! 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