HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2013-13 - Drought Contingency Plan OrdinanceAN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS
AMENDING CHAPTER 13.16, ENTITLED "DROUGHT CONTINGENCY
PLAN" OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES,
REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS;
PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND ESTABLISHING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Georgetown, Texas recognizes that the amount of water available
to the City and its water utility customers is limited and subject to depletion during periods of
extended drought; and
WHEREAS, Section 11.1272 of the Texas Water Code and Title 30, Chapter 288 of the
Texas Administrative Code require all Texas public water supply systems providing service to
3,300 or more connections to prepare a drought contingency plan; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the existing Plan in Chapter 13.16 of the
City of Georgetown Code of Ordinances needs to be updated and revised; and
WHEREAS, elements of the existing drought contingency plan are being incorporated into
the City's water conservation plan; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BYTHE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. The meeting at which this ordinance was approved was in all things
conducted in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter
551,
Section 2. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this ordinance are
hereby found and declared to be true and correct and are incorporated by reference herein and
expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. The City Council hereby finds that this
ordinance complies with the Vision Statement 4.0(G) of the City of Georgetown 2030
Comprehensive Plan relating to the conservation of water resources.
Section 3. Chapter 13.16 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas is
hereby repealed in its entirety.
Section 4. A new Chapter 13.16 is hereby adopted and shall provide as shown in EXHIBIT
A.
Ordinance Number: ral() {, Page 1 of 9
Description: Drought Con 'ngency Plan Ordinance
Date Approved:, 2013
Section 5. All ordinances that are in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance be, and
the same are hereby, repealed and all other ordinances of the City not in conflict with the
provisions of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 6. If any provision of this ordinance or application thereof to any person or
circumstance shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions, or
application thereof, of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable.
Section 7. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this ordinance and the City Secretary
to attest. This Ordinance shall become effective and be in full force and effect on May 1, 2013
after publication and in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the City of Georgetown.
PASSED AND APPROVED on First Reading on the _12th_ day of _March
2013
PASSED AND APPROVED on Second Reading on the _26th_ day of _March ,
2013
ATTEST:
Bridget
City Attorney
THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN
Mayor
Ordinance Number:Ct 1 —j, Page 2 of 9
Description: Drou ht Contingen Ian Ordinance
Date Approved: __ , 2013
1*4*444 11 001
Chapter 13.16
DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN
FOR THE
CITY OF GEORGETOWN
13.16.010 Purpose
The purpose of the Drought Contingency Plan ("Plan") is to conserve and protect the available
water supply for domestic water use, sanitation, and fire protection, and to minimize the impact of water
shortages during emergency conditions.
13.16. 020 Public Education
The City will provide the public with information about the Plan, including information about the
conditions under which each stage of the Plan is initiated, the drought response measures to be
implemented, and the conditions necessary for termination. The information will be provided through
press release, direct mailings, utility bill inserts, water use classes and the City's website.
13.16.030 Coordination
The service area of the City of Georgetown is located within the Brazos Region (G) and the City of
Georgetown has provided a copy of this Plan to the Brazos River Authority.
13.16. 040 Authorization
The General Manager, or his/her designee, is hereby authorized and directed to implement the
applicable provisions of the Plan upon his/her determination that such implementation is necessary to
protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
13.16. 050 Application
The provisions of this Plan shall apply to all persons, customers, and property utilizing water
provided by the City, except those wholesale water utility customers where a similar Plan exists for their
retail customers.
13.16. 060 Definitions
A. General Manager— General Manager of Utilities for the City of Georgetown, or
the person otherwise authorized by the General Manager to have the duties and
responsibilities under this Chapter.
Ordinance Number: Page 3 of 9
Description: Drou ht Contingency Ian Ordinance
Date ApprovOt� , 2013
B. Conservation — those practices and techniques that reduce the consumption of
water through increased efficiency, reduced losses, or reuse which results in
conservation of the water supply for future use.
Co Customer — any person, company, organization or entity that uses water supplied
by the City, except customers that obtain water under a wholesale agreement and
that have a Drought Contingency Plan for their customers.
D. Notice — notification by press release or utility bill insert for the implementation of
specific phases of this Plan by the City Manager through the news media (local
newspaper and radio station) and the City's official bulletin board and web site.
E. Industrial Water Use — water used in a manufacturing process.
F. Landscape Irrigation Use — potable water and all untreated water diverted from
wells connected to the City's water treatment plants intended for potable water
use, excluding reclaimed water from wastewater treatment plant effluent, used for
the irrigation and maintenance of landscaped areas, including residential and
commercial lawns, gardens, golf courses, parks, rights-of-way, and medians.
G. New Landscape — vegetation installed at the time of new building construction,
governmental capital improvement project, or which alters more than half the area
of an existing landscape.
H. Non -Essential Water Use — water uses that are not required for the protection of
the public health, safety, and welfare, including, but not limited to:
1. Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, or airplane,
or other vehicle.
2. Use of water to wash sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, or other
hard -surfaced areas.
3. Flushing of gutters or permitting potable water to run or accumulate in any
gutter, street, or drainage culvert.
4. Use of water to add to an indoor or outdoor swimming pool, splash pad, or
hot -tub
5. Use of water in a fountain, or pond, except where necessary to support aquatic
life.
I. Water Waste — water use that serves no purpose including:
1. Failure to repair a leak within a reasonable period after having been given
Notice to repair such leak.
Ordinance Number: �p 01 =1 ?i� Page 4 of 9
Description: DrouContingency Plan Ordinance
Date Approved: g t_ ;).(0,2013
2. Operating an irrigation system that results in water runoff or accumulation in a
street or parking lot.
13.16.070 Phase I —Water Conservation
A. Conditions for Implementation
The water level in the City's No. 1 well drops to, or stabilizes below 50 feet above the pump
suction for a period of more than five (5) consecutive days.
AND/OR
Lake Georgetown level drops to 770 feet (above mean sea level), and no rainfall or other inflow
predicted, and the Williamson County Raw Water Line is unavailable or is not capable of
maintaining Lake Georgetown level above 765 feet at the current level of demand.
AND/OR
An event occurs where water demand exceeds the supply and moderate conservation measures will
maintain the ability to provide the proper level of service as determined by the GM, or designee.
B. Demand Reduction Target
Peak demand of 1.6 times the annual average daily usage (20% reduction).
C. Customer and City Actions
1. City will:
• Increase efforts to inform the public on water conservation strategies.
Increase detection and repair of water leaks in the distribution system.
• Suspend hydrant testing.
2. Prohibit all Water Waste.
3. Restrict Landscape Irrigation Use to the use of automatic irrigation systems or hose -
end sprinklers during the evening (7PM to midnight) and morning hours (midnight to
noon) in accordance with an irrigation schedule that provides for no landscape
irrigation on Monday with landscape irrigation permitted no more than two days per
week with the day of week and irrigation start time specified based upon customer
address.
4. Landscape Irrigation Use is permitted at any time, if it is used:
Ordinance Number: _ x)01 - 4 L> Page 5 of 9
Description: Drought t Contingency Plan Ordinance
Date Approved: A4CLAW, Ztn 12013
• by means of a hand-held hose, soaker hoses, or drip irrigation systems.
• at a commercial Plant nursery.
+ during the testing of new irrigation system installation or existing irrigation
system repair.
13.16.080 Phase II — Water Restrictions
A. Conditions for Implementation
The water level in the City's No. 1 well drops to, or stabilizes below 40 feet above the pump
suction for a period of more than five (5) consecutive days.
AND/OR
Lake Georgetown level drops to 765 feet (above mean sea level), and no rainfall or other inflow
predicted, and the Williamson County Raw Water Line is unavailable or is not capable of
maintaining Lake &.orgetown Level above 760 feet under the current demand.
AND/OR
An event occurs where water demand exceeds the supply and aggressive conservation measures
Will maintain the ability to provide the proper level of service as determined by the General
Manager,
B. Demand Reduction 1 arizet
Peak demand of 1.3 times the annual average daily usage (35% reduction).
C. Customeranoild City Actions
1. City will:
• increase efforts to inform the public on water conservation strategies.
• Increase detection and repair of water leaks in the distribution system.
+ Suspend hydrant testing.
2. Prohibit all Water Waste.
3. Suspend the use of potable water for the following City municipal operations:
Ordinance Number:
Description: Drough
Date Approved:
• Vehicle washing
• Street cleaning
n Ordinance
IV. 2013
• Landscape Irrigation in City parks (does not include athletic fields) except
by handheld hose or drip irrigation
4. Prohibit all Non -Essential Water Use except:
• the addition of water to a pool or splash pad where necessary to maintain the
water purification system in service or to maintain structural integrity of the
pool.
• the washing of vehicles or boats at a commercial car wash or service station.
5. Restrict Landscape Irrigation Use to the evening (7PM to midnight) and morning
hours (midnight to noon) in accordance with an irrigation schedule that provides for
no landscape irrigation on Monday with landscape irrigation permitted no more than
one day per week with the day of week and irrigation start time specified based upon
customer address.
13.16.090 Phase III — Water Emergency
A. Conditions for Implementation
An event occurs where water demand exceeds the supply and severe conservation measures are
required to maintain the ability to provide the proper level of service as determined by the GM, or
designee.
B. Demand Reduction Tarizet
Peak demand equal to the annual average daily usage (50% reduction).
C. Customer and City Actions
1. City will:
• Increase efforts to inform the public on water conservation strategies.
• Increase detection and repair of water leaks in the distribution system.
• Suspend hydrant testing.
2. Prohibit all Water Waste.
3. Prohibit all Non -Essential Water Use.
4, Prohibit Landscape Irrigation Water Use.
5. Prohibit or limit as deemed necessary all Industrial Water Use.
6, The City shall arrange for the emergency purchase of water from utilities for
which there exists proper agreements for such purchase.
13.16.095 Violations
Ordinance Number: I ?i [ Page 7 of 9
Description: DroughtContingency4 Plan Ordinance
Date Approved: (A P'ri 9 2013
It shall be a violation of this ordinance for any person to intentionally, knowingly,
recklessly or with criminal negligence disregard any provisions, specifications or requirements of
this ordinance.
13.16.100 Enforcement
A. Any person who violates this Plan is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction shall
be punished by a fine of up to $2,000 dollars for each day the violation continues, with
each day constituting a separate and distinct offense.
B. If a person is convicted of three or more violations of this Plan in a calendar year, the City
Manager, or designee shall, upon due Notice to the customer, be authorized to discontinue
water service to the premises where such violations occur. Services discontinued under
such circumstances shall be restored only upon payment of a re -connection charge. In
addition, suitable assurance must be given to the City Manager, or his/her designee, that
the same action shall not be repeated while the Plan is in effect.
C. Any City Code Enforcement Officer or Police Officer, may issue a warning or citation to a
person that is reasonably believed to be in violation of this Plan. The warning or citation
shall contain the name and address of the alleged violator, if known, the offense charged,
and if a citation, shall direct him/her to appear in the municipal court on the date shown on
the citation. The alleged violator shall be served a copy of the warning or citation, with
service complete upon delivery of the citation by hand or by certified mail to the alleged
violator, and agent or employee, or to a person over 14 years of age who is a family
member or resident of the violator's residence.
D. Any Citizen or City employee may initiate a complaint through the Municipal Court
concerning violations of this Plan. The complaint shall contain the name and address of
the alleged violator, if known, the complaint, and shall submit the complaint to
Georgetown Utility Systems Administration. If the complaint is the first violation in the
calendar year, then a warning shall be issued and such warning shall state the specific
offense and provide a City contact for assistance with efforts to remediate the violation. It
the complaint is the second or subsequent violation in the calendar year, the complaint
shall be forwarded to Municipal Court for resolution.
13..16.120 Variances
A. A customer may file an application for a variance from this Plan for the property receiving
water service with the GM. The GM may determine the proper information and require
that the applicant provide such information to evaluate the variance request.
B. A customer may file an application for a variance from this Plan due to vacation absence
and the variance shall remain in effect for the period of the vacation absence if the
Ordinance Number: 20 1 '& ^(-:10 Page 8 of 4
Description: Drought Contmgency Plan Ordinance
Date Approved: - ( C&; , 2013
customer complies with the requirements of Section 13.16.080 Phase I Water
Conservation and a telephone contact number has been provided.
C. The GM may issue written orders varying one or more actions required under a Phase of
the Plan if necessary to target particular customers, water systems, or areas.
D. The GM may grant a variance from the Plan upon his/her determination that special
circumstances exist that upon strict enforcement of the Plan will adversely affect the
health, sanitation, or fire protection for the public or the applicant.
E. Variances granted under this section will expire upon escalation of the Plan to the next
higher phase unless granted under paragraph 13.16.120 B. or termination of the Plan.
13.16.130 Termination
The City Manager, or his/her designee, is hereby authorized and directed to terminate the applicable
provisions of the Plan upon his/her determination that the applicable provisions are no longer necessary
to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
Ordinance Number:
Description: Drought
Date Approved: -A
Ordinance
w 201
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