Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance - 2016-O0182 - Amending Chapter 22 - Drought Response Stages - 12/15/2016First Reading December 15,2016 Item No.7.1 ORDINANCE NO.2016-00182 Second Reading January 12,2017 Item No.6.6 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 22 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES,CITY OF LUBBOCK,TEXAS,WITH REGARD TO THE DROUGHT RESPONSE STAGES; PROVIDING FOR CRIMINAL PENALTIES; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE;AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION. WHEREAS, the City of Lubbock, Texas (the "City"), recognizes that the amount of water available to the City and its water utility customers is limited; and WHEREAS,the City has adopted a Water Conservation Plan and Drought and Emergency Contingency Plan (the "Water Use Management Plan"); and WHEREAS,the City Council of the City of Lubbock,Texas deems it in the best interest of the health,safety,and welfare of the citizens of Lubbock to make the following amendments to Chapter 22 of the Code of Ordinances with regard to amending the Water Use Management Plan to amend the drought response stages in a manner that best facilitates the conservation of water within the City;NOW THEREFORE: BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK: SECTION 1. THAT Section 22.08.039(c)of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lubbock, Texas,is hereby amended to read as follows: (c) In an effort to manage annual and maximum daily water use, the water conservation program establishes the following water use standards for outdoor landscape irrigation: (1) Landscape irrigation is allowed to occur twice each week and only between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. from April 1st through September 30th. Landscape irrigationfrom October 1st through March 31st shall not be limited to the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. so as to allow for irrigation during periods when the ambient temperature rises above 35°F.Landscape irrigation year-round schedules are based on the last digit of the property address: (A)Properties with an address ending in 0, 3, 4, or 9 may water on Monday and Thursday. (B)Properties with an address ending in 1, 5, or 6 may water on Tuesday and Friday. (C)Properties with an address ending in 2, 7, or 8 may water on Wednesday and Saturday. (D)No landscape irrigation is allowed on Sundays. Commercial customers with larger landscapes may apply for a variance in the event that they are unable to complete the necessary irrigation cycles during the designated days and times. (2)Summer irrigation should provide a maximum of 1.5 inches per zone per week. Water Use Management Plan Amendment-2016 (11-16-16)Page 1 of 10 (3) Winter irrigation may occur only when temperatures are above 35°F so as not to cause a freezing hazard and should provide a maximum of 1.0 inch per zone per month for dormant grasses (i.e. Bermuda) and 1.0 inch per zone every two weeks for cool season grasses (i.e. Fescue). (4) Irrigation should occur without water runoff. This may be accomplished by correctly cycling the sprinkler system and allowing time for the water to soak into the landscape between irrigation events. (5) Hand watering for landscape irrigation purposes is allowed on a daily basis regardless of the time of year and regardless of the time during the day. (6) New plant material may be irrigated on a more frequent basis until the new plant material is established as defined in section 22.03.133(a)(4) of this Code of Ordinances related to the operation of irrigation systems. SECTION 2. THAT Section 22.08.078(b) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lubbock, Texas, is hereby amended to read as follows: (b) The triggering criteria below are based on an evaluation of the historical water system capacities and customer use patterns, and consider the impact of drought, emergencies, and high use upon capacities and patterns. (1) Stage 1 - mild water shortage conditions. (A) Requirements for initiation. Stage 1 of the plan shall be implemented if any of the following conditions arise: Daily water use exceeds 80% of the city's maximum daily supply capacity from all sources for 10 consecutive days; (B) Requirement for termination. Stage 1 restrictions may be rescinded 10 days after all initiation conditions have ceased to exist as determined by the city manager or his/her designee. (2) Stage 2 - moderate water shortage conditions. (A) Requirements for initiation. Stage 2 of the plan shall be implemented if any of the following conditions arise: Daily water use exceeds 90% of the city's maximum daily supply capacity from all sources for ten consecutive days; (B) Requirement for termination. Stage 2 restrictions may be rescinded 10 days after all initiation conditions have ceased to exist as determined by the city manager or his/her designee. When stage 2 is terminated, stage 1 automatically becomes effective. Water Use Management Plan Amendment-2016 (11-16-16) Page 2 of 10 (3) Stage 3 - severe water shortage conditions. (A) Requirements for initiation. Stage 3 of the plan shall be implemented if any of the following conditions arise: Daily water use exceeds 100% of the city's maximum daily supply capacity from all sources for five consecutive days; (B) Requirement for termination. Stage 3 restrictions may be rescinded 10 days after all initiation conditions have ceased to exist as determined by the city manager or his/her designee. When stage 3 is terminated, stage 2 automatically becomes effective. (4) Stage 4 - emergency water shortage conditions. (A) Requirements for initiation. Stage 4 of the plan shall be implemented if any of the following conditions arise: (i) Daily water use exceeds 105% of the city's maximum daily supply capacity from all sources for five consecutive days; (ii) There has been a failure in a major water supply source or system, such as the failure of a dam, storage reservoir, pumping system, transmission pipeline, water treatment facility, major power failure, or natural disaster that causes a severe and prolonged limit on the ability of the water supply system to meet the water supply demands; or (iii) A water supply source has been contaminated. (B) Requirement for termination. Stage 4 restrictions may be rescinded after all initiation conditions have ceased to exist as determined by the city manager or his/her designee. When stage 4 is terminated, the city manager or his/her designee shall determine what stage is applicable. SECTION 3. THAT Section 22.08.079 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lubbock, Texas, is hereby amended to read as follows: Sec. 22.08.079 Drought response stages The city manager, or his/her designee, shall monitor water supply and/or demand conditions and, in accordance with the triggering criteria set forth in section 22.08.078 above, shall determine that mild, moderate, or severe water shortage conditions exist or that an emergency condition exists and shall implement the following actions. The city shall notify the executive director of the TCEQ within five business days of the implementation of any mandatory provisions of the plan. Water Use Management Plan Amendment-2016 (11-16-16) Page 3 of 10 (a) Stage 1 - mild water shortage conditions. (1) Target. Reduce water use to less than 80% of the city's maximum daily supply capacity. (2) Best management practices for supply management. (A) The city may reduce or discontinue the flushing of water mains as well as utilize reclaimed water for non -potable purposes where practicable. (B) Wholesale customers are required in specific contract provisions to implement these measures as well as any other measures specified in the wholesale supply contract to better manage a limited water supply. Contract provisions requiring wholesale customers to implement mandatory drought restrictions consistent with the city will be added into any new contract or contract revision. (3) Water use restrictions for reducing demand. (A) Landscape irrigation is restricted to two days per week between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. Landscape irrigation from October I` through March 315` shall not be limited to the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. so as to allow for irrigation during periods when the ambient temperature rises above 35 OF. Landscape irrigation schedules are based on the last digit of the property address: (i) Properties with an address ending in 0, 3, 4, or 9 may water on Monday and Thursday. (ii) Properties with an address ending in 1, 5, or 6 may water on Tuesday and Friday. (iii) Properties with an address ending in 2, 7, or 8 may water on Wednesday and Saturday. Commercial customers with larger landscapes may apply for a variance in the event that they are unable to complete the necessary irrigation cycles during the designated days and times. (B) Irrigation shall provide a maximum of 1.5 inches per zone per week. (C) Irrigation shall occur without water runoff, which can be accomplished by correctly cycling the sprinkler system and allowing time for the water to soak into the landscape between irrigation events. Water Use Management Plan Amendment-2016 (11-16-16) Page 4 of 10 (D) All city operations shall adhere to the water use restrictions. (E) Hand watering for landscape irrigation purposes is allowed on a daily basis regardless of the time of year and regardless of the time during the day. (F) New plant material may be irrigated on a more frequent basis until the new plant material is established as defined in section 22.03.133(a)(4) of this Code of Ordinances related to the operation of irrigation systems. Variances shall not be granted for grasses used to overseed existing lawns. (G) The city manager, or his/her designee, will contact wholesale water customers to discuss water supply and/or demand conditions and will request that wholesale water customers initiate measures to reduce water use (i.e., implement stage 1 of the customer's drought contingency plan). (b) Stage 2 - moderate water shortage conditions. (1) Target. Reduce water use to less than 90% of the city's maximum daily supply capacity. (2) Best management practices for supply management. (A) The city will reduce or discontinue the flushing of water mains as well as utilize reclaimed water for non -potable purposes where practicable. (B) Wholesale customers are required in specific contract provisions to implement these measures as well as any other measures specified in the wholesale supply contract to better manage a limited water supply. Contract provisions requiring wholesale customers to implement mandatory drought restrictions consistent with the city will be added into any new contract or contract revision. (3) Water use restrictions for reducing demand. (A) Landscape irrigation is restricted to one day per week between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Landscape irrigation from October 1 st through March 3 1 " shall not be limited to the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. so as to allow for irrigation during periods when the ambient temperature rises above 35°F. Landscape irrigation year-round schedules are based on the last digit of the property address: Water Use Management Plan Amendment-2016 (11-16-16) Page 5 of 10 (i) Properties with an address ending in 0 or 9 may water on Monday. (ii) Properties with an address ending in 1 may water on Tuesday. (iii) Properties with an address ending in 2 may water on Wednesday. (iv) Properties with an address ending in 3 or 4 may water on Thursday. (v) Properties with an address ending in 5 or 6 may water on Friday. (vi) Properties with an address ending in 7 or 8 may water on Saturday. Commercial customers with larger landscapes may apply for a variance in the event that they are unable to complete the necessary irrigation cycles during the designated days and times. (B) Irrigation shall provide a maximum of 1.0 inches per zone per week. (C) Irrigation shall occur without water runoff, which can be accomplished by correctly cycling the sprinkler system and allowing time for the water to soak into the landscape between irrigation events. (D) Water customers will limit aesthetic and non -essential water use as defined in section 22.08.003 of this Code of Ordinances. Water shall not be used to wash down hard surfaced areas, including, without limitation, sidewalks, parking lots, gutters, and patios. Except where such action is performed for health and safety reasons. Water shall not be used for dust control. However, water may be used for construction or to clean surfaces for painting. (E) All city operations shall adhere to the water use restrictions. (F) Hand watering for landscape irrigation purposes is allowed on a daily basis regardless of the time of year and regardless of time of day. (G) New plant material may be irrigated on a more frequent basis until the new plant material is established as defined in section 22.03.133(a)(4) of this Code of Ordinances related to the operation of irrigation systems. Variances shall not be granted for grasses used to overseed existing lawns. Water Use Management Plan Amendment-2016 (11-16-16) Page 6 of 10 (H) The city manager, or his/her designee, will request wholesale water customers to initiate mandatory measures to reduce nonessential water use (i.e., implement stage 2 of the customer's drought contingency plan). (c) Stage 3 - severe water shortage conditions. (1) Target. Reduce water use to less than 100% of the city's maximum daily supply capacity. (2) Best management practices for supplermanagement. (A) The city will reduce or discontinue the flushing of water mains as well as utilize reclaimed water for non -potable purposes where practicable. (B) Wholesale customers are required in specific contract provisions to implement these measures as well as any other measures specified in the wholesale supply contract to better manage a limited water supply. Contract provisions requiring wholesale customers to implement mandatory drought restrictions consistent with the city will be added into any new contract or contract revision. (3) Water use restrictions for reducing demand. (A) Landscape irrigation shall not occur more than one day per month and not for more than 1.5 inches per zone. The city manager, or his/her designee, may designate the irrigation schedule. (B) Irrigation shall occur without water runoff, which can be accomplished by correctly cycling the sprinkler system and allowing time for the water to soak into the landscape between irrigation events. (C) Water customers will refrain from aesthetic and non -essential water use as defined in section 22.08.003 of this Code of Ordinances. Water shall not be used to wash down hard surfaced areas, including, without limitation, sidewalks, parking lots, gutters, and patios. Water shall not be used for dust control. Pools and hot tubs may not be filled or drained and refilled. (D) Use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to firefighting or other related activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare. Under the direction of the city manager, Water Use Management Plan Amendment-2016 (11-16-16) Page 7 of 10 use of water from fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed by permit. (E) All city operations shall adhere to the water use restrictions. (F) Hand watering for landscape irrigation purposes is allowed on a daily basis regardless of the time of year and regardless of time of day. (G) The city manager, or his/her designee, will contact wholesale water customers to discuss water supply and/or demand conditions and will request that wholesale water customers initiate additional mandatory measures to reduce non -essential water use (i.e., implement stage 3 of the customer's drought contingency plan). (d) Stage 4 - emergency water shortage conditions. (1) Target. Reduce water use to less than 50% of the city's maximum daily supply capacity. (2) Best managementpractices for supply management. (A) The city will discontinue the flushing of water mains, discontinue the irrigation of public landscaped areas, and will utilize reclaimed water for non -potable purposes where practicable. (B) In addition, in the event of a large-scale system failure or if the source water supply is contaminated, the city may truck in additional fresh water supplies as appropriate. (C) Wholesale customers are required in specific contract provisions to implement these measures as well as any other measures specified in the wholesale supply contract to better manage a limited water supply. Contract provisions requiring wholesale customers to implement mandatory drought restrictions consistent with the city will be added into any new contract or contract revision. (3) Water use restrictions for reducing demand. (A) All aesthetic and non -essential water use, as defined in section 22.08.003 of this Code of Ordinances, including landscape irrigation use, is prohibited except where necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. No new landscape material may be installed. Water Use Management Plan Amendment-2016 (11-16-16) Page 8 of 10 (B) All city operations will adhere to the water use restrictions. (C) The city may reduce water system pressure to conserve water. (D) All wholesale water customers will be encouraged to implement stage 4 of their drought contingency plans. (4) In addition, whenever emergency water shortage conditions exist as defined in section 22.08.078 of this Code of Ordinances, the city manager, or his/her designee(s), shall: (A) Assess the severity of the problem and identify the actions needed and the time required to solve the problem; (B) Inform the utility director or other responsible official of each wholesale water customer by telephone, email, or in person and suggest actions, as appropriate to alleviate problems (i.e., notification of the public to reduce water use until service is restored); (C) If appropriate, notify city, county, and/or state emergency response officials for assistance; (D) Undertake necessary actions, including repairs and/or clean-up as needed; and (E) Prepare a post -event assessment report on the incident and critique of emergency response procedures and actions. SECTION 4. THAT violation of any provision of this Ordinance shall be deemed a misdemeanor punishable by a fine and in the manner as set forth in Section 1.01.004 of the City of Lubbock Code of Ordinances. SECTION 5. THAT should any paragraph, section, clause, phrase or word of this Ordinance be declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the remainder of the Ordinance shall not be affected thereby. SECTION 6. THAT the City Secretary of the City of Lubbock, Texas, is hereby authorized and directed to cause publication of the descriptive caption of this Ordinance as an alternative means of publication provided by law. Water Use Management Plan Amendment-2016 (11-16-16) Page 9 of 10 AND IT IS SO ORDERED. Passed by the City Council on first reading this 15th day of December , 2016. Passed by the City Council on second reading this 1 nth day of Ta„1iqrv, 9017 ,fir "y DANIEL M. POPE, MAYOR ATTEST: Rebe ca Garza, City Secretary APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: L. Wo " Frafiklin, P.E., Director oTPublic Works Aubrey A. S r, P.E., Dirg&or of Water Utilities APPROVED AS TO FORM: y L. Km;,- De ty Ci ey L�� Water Use Management Plan Amendment-2016 (11-16-16) Page 10 of 10