To address the city’s short-term water shortage problems a series of stages based on conditions of supply and demand with accompanying triggers, goals and actions. Each stage is more stringent in water use than the previous stage since water supply conditions are more deteriorated. The Mayor of the city is authorized by ordinance to implement the appropriate conservation measures when a condition is met in each stage.
(A) Stage 1: water watch.
(1) Triggers. This stage is triggered by any one of the following conditions:
(a) The city storage has fallen below 85% capacity;
(b) Ground water levels have fallen five feet below the normal seasonal level; and/or
(c) When the calculated water system demand equals 60% of the calculated water system capacity.
(2) Goals. The goals of this stage are to heighten awareness of the public on water conditions and to maintain the integrity of the water supply system.
(3) Education actions.
(a) The city will make occasional news releases to the local media describing present conditions and indicating the water supply outlook for the upcoming season.
(b) Previous months summaries of precipitation, temperature, water levels and storage will be made public at the beginning of each month.
(4) Management actions.
(a) The city wells will be cleaned and flushed to maintain them at their most efficient condition.
(b) Leaks will be repaired within 48 hours of detection.
(c) System pressure will be maintained below 80 pounds per square inch.
(d) The city will monitor its use of water and will curtail activities such as hydrant flushing and street cleaning.
(5) Regulation actions. The public will be asked to curtail some outdoor water vise and to make efficient use of indoor water (i.e., wash full loads, take short showers, don’t let faucets run and the like).
(B) Stage 2: water warning.
(1) Triggers. This stage is triggered by any one of the following conditions:
(a) The city storage has fallen below 70% capacity;
(b) Ground water levels have fallen ten feet below the normal seasonal level; and/or
(c) Water usage is exceeding 80% of total pumping capacity of the system wells for more than three consecutive days.
(2) Goals. The goals of this stage are to reduce peak demands by 20% and to reduce overall weekly consumption by 10%.
(3) Education actions.
(a) The city will make weekly news releases to the local media describing present conditions and indicating the water supply outlook for the upcoming week.
(b) Previous week summaries of precipitation, temperature, water levels and storage will be made public each Thursday.
(c) Water conservation articles will be provided to the local newspaper.
(4) Management actions.
(a) The city water supplies will be monitored daily.
(b) Leaks will be repaired within 24 hours of detection.
(c) Pumping of wells will be reduced to decrease drawdown and to maintain water levels over well screens.
(d) The city will curtail its water usage including watering of city grounds and washing of vehicles.
(5) Regulation actions.
(a) An odd/even lawn watering system will be imposed on city residents. Residents with odd-numbered addresses will water on odd days, even addresses will water on even days.
(b) Outdoor water use including lawn watering and car washing will be restricted to before 10:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m.
(c) Refilling of swimming pools will be allowed one day a week after sunset.
(d) Excess water use charges for usage of water over the amount used in the winter will be imposed.
(e) Waste of water will be prohibited.
(C) Stage 3: water emergency triggers.
(1) Conditions. This stage is triggered by any one of the following conditions:
(a) The city storage has fallen below 50% capacity;
(b) Ground water levels have fallen 15 feet below normal seasonal level;
(c) Pumping lowers water levels to within five feet of the top of the well screens; and/or
(d) Water usage is exceeding 90% of total pumping capacity of the system wells for more than three consecutive days.
(2) Goals. The goals of this stage are to reduce peak demands by 50% and to reduce overall weekly consumption by 25%.
(3) Education action.
(a) The city will make daily news releases to the local media describing present conditions and indicating the water supply outlook for the next day.
(b) Previous days summaries of precipitation, temperature, water levels and storage will be made available to the public each day.
(c) The city will hold public meetings to discuss the emergency, the status of the city water supply and further actions which need to be taken.
(4) Management actions.
(a) The city water supplies will be monitored daily.
(b) Leaks will be repaired within 24 hours of detection.
(c) System pressure will be maintained at 60 pounds per square inch.
(d) Pumping of wells will be reduced to decrease drawdown and to maintain water levels over well screens.
(e) The city will seek additional emergency supplies from other users, the state or the federal government.
(5) Regulation actions.
(a) Outdoor water use will be banned.
(b) Waste of water will be prohibited.
(Ord. 2353, passed 3-19-2013)