Target: Achieve a ten percent reduction in total water use. The water utility will implement Stage III when any one of the selected triggers is reached:
(1) Supply-based triggers. Notification is received from CRMWD initiation of Stage III of the CRMWD's DCP pursuant to the requirements specified in the city's wholesale water purchase contract.
(2) Demand- or capacity-based triggers.
a. Water demand as percent of system capacity equals or exceeds 90 percent (10.8 mgd based on 12 mgd safe capacity) on a rolling three-day average basis;
b. Reservoir levels are low enough to disrupt some major economic activity or cause unacceptable damage to a vital ecosystem. Historically, this occurs when the reservoirs are at approximately 16.5 percent of combined full capacity. Upon initiation and termination of Stage III, the city will provide notification to both retail/public and wholesale customers, Notice to TCEQ required; or
c. Water supply system is unable to deliver water due to the failure or damage of major water system components, supply source becomes contaminated, power outage, grid failure, natural disaster, or extreme weather event.
(3) Requirements for termination. Stage III of the DCP may end when all of the conditions listed as triggering events have ceased to exist for a period of four consecutive days. Upon termination of Stage III, Stage II becomes operative.
(4) City measures.
a. Visually inspect lines and repair leaks on a regular basis
b. Reduce or discontinue flushing of water mains except for dead-end mains.
c. Reduce or discontinue irrigation of public landscaped areas.
(5) Mandatory water use restrictions (retail customers/public). TCEQ NOTIFICATION REQUIRED.
a. Irrigation of landscaped areas by any means including, but not limited to, hose-end sprinklers, automatic irrigation systems, hand-held hoses or drip irrigation systems shall be limited to once per week. Residential and non-residential water customers are prohibited from watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, limited to their trash day, limited to However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at any time if it is by means of a handheld hose, a faucet filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, or drip irrigation system. Use of a handheld hose, bucket or watering can shall be actively monitored by a responsible person. If there is no street address associated with the property, or if there is more than one street address associated with a single contiguous property, the watering day is Wednesday.
b. Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane, or other vehicle is prohibited at all times except on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station. Washing of vehicles by so-called "mobile-wash" vendors is also allowed so long as it is performed in compliance with all other applicable rules and local laws. Further, such washing may be exempted from these regulations if the health, safety, and welfare of the public necessitate frequent vehicle cleansing, such as for garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.
c. Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any commercial or filtered indoor or outdoor swimming pool or Jacuzzi-type pool is allowed only between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on any day. Use of water to fill, refill or add to any non-filtered wading or kiddie pool is allowed only during the days and times designated by the city for other outside watering.
d. Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.
e. Use of water from fire hydrants or flush valves shall be limited to firefighting and related activities or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety and welfare. Use of water necessary for construction purposes may be allowed under special permit from the city.
f. Use of water for the irrigation of golf courses, parks, and green belt area is prohibited except on designated watering days and times. However, if such area utilizes a water source other than potable water provided by the city, the facility shall not be subject to these regulations.
g. All restaurants are prohibited from serving water to its patrons except when requested.
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 other than well water for dust control;
4. Flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street;
5. Failure to repair a controllable leak within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak.
(6) Mandatory water use restrictions (wholesale customers). TCEQ NOTIFICATION REQUIRED.
a. The city will initiate weekly contact with wholesale water customers to discuss water supply and/or demand conditions and the possibility of pro rata curtailment of water diversions and/or deliveries.
b. The city will request wholesale water customers to initiate mandatory measures to reduce non-essential water use (e.g., implement Stage III of the wholesale customer's drought contingency plan).
c. The city will initiate preparations for the implementation of pro rata curtailment of water diversions and/or deliveries by preparing a monthly water usage allocation baseline for each wholesale customer.
d. The city will provide a weekly report to news media with information regarding current water supply and/or demand conditions, projected water supply and demand conditions if drought conditions persist, and consumer information on water conservation measures and practices.
(Prior Code, § 16B-11; Ord. of 4-12-2011; Ord. of 7-18-2011; Ord. No. 020-2024, § 2(Exh. A), 5-14-2024)