DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN

FOR THE

CITY OF DELEON

Adopted by Council on: October 13, 2011

Section I:Declaration of Policy, Purpose, and Intent

In order to conserve the available water supply and protect the integrity of water supply facilities, withparticular 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, the City of De Leon, hereby adopts the following regulations and restrictions on the delivery and consumption of water.

Water uses regulated or prohibited under this Drought Contingency Plan (the Plan) are considered to be non-essential 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 the offender(s) to penalties as defined in Section X of this plan.

Section II: Public Involvement

Opportunity for the public to provide input into the preparation of the Plan was provided by the City of De Leon by means of scheduling and providing public notice of a public meeting to accept input on the Plan.

Section III:Public and Wholesale Water Customer Education

The City of De Leon will periodically provide the public with information about the Plan, including information about the conditions under which each stage of the Plan is to be initiated or terminated and the drought response measures to be implemented in each stage. This information will be provided by means of press release or utility bill inserts.

The City of De Leon will periodically provide wholesale water customers with information about the Plan, including information about the conditions under which each stage of the Plan is to be initiated or terminated and the drought response measures to be implemented in each stage. This information will be provided by means of maintaining a copy of the Plan for review by the public at the De Leon City Hall.

Section IV:Coordination with Regional Water Planning Groups

The service area of the City of De Leon is located within the Brazos G Water Planning Group and the City of De Leon has provided a copy of this Plan to the Brazos G Water Planning Group and TCEQ.

Section V:Authorization

The Mayor, or his/her designee, is hereby authorized and directed to implement the applicable provisions of this Plan upon determination that such implementation is necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare. The Mayor, or his/her designee, shall have the authority to initiate or terminate drought or other water supply emergency response measures as described in this Plan.

Section VI:Application

The provisions of this Plan shall apply to all persons, customers (wholesale & retail), and property utilizing water provided by the City of De Leon. The terms “person” and “customer” as used in the Plan include individuals, wholesale water customers, corporations, partnerships, associations, and all other legal entities.

Section VII: Definitions

For the purposes of this Plan, the following definitions shall apply:

Aesthetic water use: water use for ornamental or decorative purpose such as fountains, reflecting pools, and water gardens.

Commercial and institutional water use: water use, which is integral to the operations of commercial and non-profit establishments and governmental entities such as retail establishments, hotels and motels, restaurants, and office buildings.

Conservation: those practices, techniques, and technologies that reduce the consumption of water, reduce the loss or waste of water, improve the efficiency in the use of water or increase the recycling and reuse of water so that a supply is conserved and made available for future or alternative uses.

Customer: any person, wholesale water customer, company, or organization using water supplied by the City of De Leon.

Domestic water use: water use for personal needs or for household or sanitary purposes such as drinking, bathing, heating, cooking, sanitation, or for cleaning a residence, business, industry, or institution.

Drip Irrigation: soaker hoses, or other low water emitter devices

Industrial water use: the use of water in processes designed to convert materials of lower value into forms having greater usability and value.

Landscape irrigation use: water used for the irrigation and maintenance of landscaped areas, whether publicly or privately owned, including residential and commercial lawns, gardens, golf courses, parks, and right-of-way and medians.

Member Cities: Comanche, De Leon, Dublin, Gorman, and Hamilton.

Non-essential water use: water uses that are neither essential nor required for the protection of public, health, safety, and welfare, including:

(a)irrigation of landscape areas, including parks, athletic fields, and golf courses, except otherwise provided under this Plan;

(b)use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or othervehicle;

(c)use of water to wash down any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surface areas;

(d)use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection;

(e)flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street;

(f)use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools orjacuzzi-type pools;

(g)use of water in a fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes except wherenecessary to support aquatic life;

(h)failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after havingbeen given notice directing the repair of such leak(s); and

(i)use of water from hydrants for construction purposes or any other purposes otherthan fire fighting.

Zones: Zone 1 = Ward 1, Zone 2 = Ward 2, Zone 3 = Ward 3, Zone 4 = Ward 4.

Watering Days: Zone 1 = Monday, Zone 2 = Tuesday, Zone 3 = Wednesday, Zone 4 = Thursday

Water Wells: water well is an excavation or structure created in the ground by digging, driving, boring or drilling to access groundwater in underground aquifers. The well water is by an electric submersible pump, a vertical turbine pump, a hand pump or a mechanical pump.

Section VIII: Criteria for Initiation and Termination of Drought Response Stages

The City Mayor, or his/her designee, shall monitor water supply and/or demand conditions on a monthly basis and shall determine when conditions warrant initiation or termination of each stage of the Plan. Public notification of the initiation or termination of drought response stages shall be by means of publication in a newspaper of general circulation, direct mail to each customer and/or signs posted in public areas. Wholesale customers will be notified both by telephone and mail; or best possible means.

The triggering criteria described below are based on the estimated yield of LakeProctor and past experience during drought periods. The City is contracted with Upper Leon Municipal Water District for the purchase of treated water. Therefore, the drought contingency measures taken by Upper Leon will also impact the measures taken by the City; as such, the City will have authority to skip levels based on the information provided by Upper Leon. Triggering criteria will be initiated by Upper Leon and will be implemented by the City with respect to the City’s customers.

Section IX:Drought Trigger and Response Stages

The Mayor, or his/her designee, shall monitor water supply and/or demand conditions on a daily basis and, in accordance with the triggering criteria set forth in Section VIII of this Plan, shall determine that a mild, moderate, critical, or emergency water shortage condition exists and shall implement the following notification procedures:

Notification

Notification of the Public:

The Mayor, or his/her designee, shall notify the public by means of:

  • Publication in a newspaper of general circulation
  • Public information spots on a local/area radio station
  • Signs posted in public places

Additional Notification:

The Mayor, or his/her designee, shall notify directly, or cause to be notified directly, the following individuals and entities:

  • Members of the City Council
  • Fire Chief(s)
  • City and/or CountyEmergency Management Coordinator(s)
  • TCEQ (required when mandatory restrictions are imposed)
  • Major water users
  • Critical water users, i.e. hospitals, nursing homes

The above individuals or entities shall be directly notified only when Stage III or IV is to be implemented.

Stage 1 Trigger & Response:

Triggers – MILDWater Shortage Condition

Requirements for initiation

Customers shall be requested to voluntarily conserve water and adhere to the prescribed restrictions on certain water uses, defined in Section VII – Definitions, when water supply of Proctor Lake reaches 1157 feet MSL or if reservoir is at or below 50% of water supply capacity and the storage is expected to be reduced to 40% within the next 12 month period. [These levels, not the percentage, are subject to change based on notification by the BrazosRiver Authority or Upper Leon Municipal Water District levels]. Each city is responsible for notification of trigger point to other member cities.

Requirements for termination

Stage 1 of the Plan may be rescinded when all of the conditions listed as triggering events have ceased to exist for a period of 30 consecutive days or determined by designee.

Response -MILDWater Shortage Conditions

Goal:Achieve a voluntary reduction in daily water demand.

Supply Management Measures:

The following measures are to be implemented directly by the City of De Leon to manage limited water supplies and/or reduce water demand:

  • Reduced flushing of water mains
  • Reduced irrigation of public landscaped areas.

Voluntary Water Use Restrictions:

Water customers are requested to voluntarily limit the following:

a)Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems be limited to (3) three days per week. Watering daysare to be designated by the City. Irrigation of landscaped areas are permitted at anytime if it is by means of:

  • A hand-held hose
  • A faucet filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less
  • Drip irrigation system

However, all watering should be prohibited between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., due to high evaporation. Individuals irrigating from a water well, must place a sign on their property notifying that, “Irrigation is being done by Water Well.”

b)Refrain from use of water to wash any:

  • motor vehicle
  • motorbike
  • boat
  • trailer
  • airplane
  • or other vehicle

except on designated watering days between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with:

  • A hand-held bucket
  • A hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rinses.

Vehicle washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station. Further, such washing may be exempted from these regulations if the health, safety, and welfare of the public are contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such as garbage trucks and vehicles use to transport food and perishables.

c)Refrain from the use of water to fill, refill, or add to any:

  • indoor or outdoor swimming pools
  • wading pools
  • or jacuzzi-type pools

except on designated watering day between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m..

d)Refrain from operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes except where necessary to support aquatic life and where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.

e)Use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare, except that use of water from designated fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed under special permit from the City of De Leon.

f)Refrain from use of water for the irrigation of golf course greens, tees, and fairways except on designated watering day between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m..

g)All restaurants are requested to serve water only upon request of the patron.

h)The following uses of water are defined as non-essential and should be refrained from:

  1. wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas;
  2. use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection;
  3. use of water for dust control;
  4. flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street; and
  5. failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s).

Stage 2 Trigger & Response:

Triggers – MODERATEWater Shortage Condition

Requirements for initiation

Customers shall be required to comply with the requirements and restrictions on certain non-essential water uses provided in Section IX of this Plan when water supply of Proctor Lake reaches 1154 feet MSL or if reservoir is at or below 40% of water supply capacity and the storage is expected to be reduced to 30% within the next 12 month period. [subject to change based on BrazosRiver Authority or Upper Leon Municipal Water District levels]. Each city is responsible for notification of trigger point to other member cities.

Requirements for termination

Stage 2 of the Plan may be rescinded when all of the conditions listed as triggering events have ceased to exist for a period of 30 days or determined by designee. Upon termination of Stage 2, Stage 1 becomes operative.

Response -MODERATEWater Shortage Conditions

Goal:Achieve a voluntary minimum of3% percent reduction in daily water demand.

Supply Management Measures:

The following measures are to be implemented directly by the City of De Leon to manage limited water supplies and/or reduce water demand:

  • Reduced flushing of water mains
  • Reduced irrigation of public landscaped areas.

Voluntary Water Use Restrictions:

Under threat of penalty for violations, the following water use restrictions shall apply to all persons:

a)Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems is limited to (2) two days per week. Watering days are to be designated by the City. Irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at anytime if it is by means of:

  • a hand-held hose
  • a faucet filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less
  • or drip irrigation system

However, all watering is prohibited between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., due to high evaporation. Individuals irrigating from a water well, must place a sign on their property notifying that, “Irrigation is being doneby Water Well.”

b)Use of water to wash any:

  • motor vehicle
  • motorbike
  • boat
  • trailer
  • airplane
  • or other vehicle

is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with:

  • a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rinses

Vehicle washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station. Further, such washing may be exempted from these regulations if the health, safety, and welfare of the public are contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such as garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.

c)Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any:

  • indoor swimming pools
  • wading pools
  • or Jacuzzi-type pools

is prohibited except on designated watering day between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m..

d)Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life and where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.

e)Use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare. The use of water from fire hydrants for construction purposes is prohibited.

f)The watering of golf tees is prohibited. Use of water for the irrigation of golf course greens, and fairways is prohibited except on designated watering day between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.. However, if the golf course utilizes a water source other than that provided by the City of De Leon, the facility shall not be subject to these regulations.

g)All restaurants are prohibited from serving water except upon request of the patron.

h)The following uses of water are defined as non-essential and are prohibited:

  1. wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas;
  2. use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection;
  3. use of water for dust control;
  4. flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street; and
  5. failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s).

Stage 3 Trigger & Response:

Triggers – CRITICALWater Shortage Condition

Requirements for initiation

Customers shall be required to comply with the requirements and restrictions on certain non-essential water uses provided in Section IX of this Plan when water supply of ProctorLake reaches 1149 feet MSL or if reservoir is at or below 30% of water supply capacity. [subject to change based on BrazosRiver Authority or Upper Leon Municipal Water District levels]. Each city is responsible for notification of trigger point to other member cities.

Requirements for termination

Stage 3 of the Plan may be rescinded when all of the conditions listed as triggering events have ceased to exist for a period of 30 days or determined by designee. Upon termination of Stage 3, Stage 2 becomes operative.

Response -CRITICALWater Shortage Conditions

Goal:Achieve mandatory minimum of 7% reduction in daily water demand

Supply Management Measures:

The following measures are to be implemented directly by the City of De Leon to manage limited water supplies and/or reduce water demand:

  • Reduced flushing of water mains
  • Reduced irrigation of public landscaped areas.

Mandatory Water Use Restrictions:

All requirements of Stage 2 shall remain in effect during Stage 3 except:

a)Irrigation of landscaped areas is restricted to (1) one time a week and divided into zones. Watering day and zones are to be designated by the City. . Individuals irrigating from a water well, must place a sign on their property notifying that, “Irrigation is being done by Water Well.”