(A) The objective of this Water Conservation Plan is to accomplish a permanent reduction in the quantity of water required through the implementation of efficient water supply and water use practices. Specifically, the water conservation goals for the city are:
(1) Specific, quantified five- and ten-year targets.
(a) Five-year target: Reduce water consumption as measured in gallons per capita per day (gpcd) by 1.0% to 92.97 gpcd;
(b) Ten-year target: Reduce water consumption as measured in gallons per capita per day by 3% to 91.09 gpcd.
(2) To reduce unaccounted for water; and
(3) To implement an increase in the reuse or recycling of water.
(B) Through the structured and systematic application of the contents of this Water Conservation Plan, the city expects to see a reduction in per capita water use during the next 30 years. In addition, over the next ten years, the city's goal is to reduce the quantity of unaccounted for water and to implement an official water reuse and recycling program. Specifically, the water loss goals for the city are:
(1) Specific, quantified five- and ten-year water loss targets:
(a) Five-year target: Reduce water loss as measured in gallons per capita per day (gpcd) by one gallon gpcd;
(b) Ten-year target: Reduce water loss as measured in gallons per capita per day (gpcd) by three gallons gpcd.
(2) Identify unmetered sources and meter them:
(a) Fire hydrant flushing;
(b) Public buildings;
(c) Recreation facilities.
(C) The city maintains meters to measure both raw water and treated water. These meters are calibrated annually to within ±5% accuracy to insure proper measurement of the quantity of water diverted from the various sources.
(D) This Water Conservation Plan addresses nine aspects associated with the implementation of the Water Conservation Plan. They are as follows: (1) universal metering and meter repair/replacement; (2) leak detection and water audits; (3) public information and education program; (4) water conservation oriented rate structures; (5) water conserving plumbing fixtures; (6) water conservation retrofit programs; (7) water conserving landscapes; (8) wastewater reuse/recycling; and (9) reservoir systems operations plan. These are summarized below.
(1) Universal metering and meter repair/replacement. The city meters all water produced and tests these master meters annually. All water service connections to the city's water supply system will be metered. Meters will continue to be monitored for accuracy annually and replaced on a 15-year cycle.
(2) Leak detection and water audits.
(a) The city maintains a program of leak detection, leak repair and water loss accounting in the water transmission lines and distribution system to control unaccounted for losses of water. Data is recorded daily and reviewed on a monthly basis. Water audits are conducted annually. Real water losses are identified and corrected. Real water losses are minimized by replacement of deteriorating water mains and appurtenances, and are inspected by city staff on an on-going basis.
(b) The leak detection program described in the Plan is currently in use by the city which reduces real water losses:
1. Intermittent night-flow measurements are conducted annually;
2. Pressure is controlled to just above the standard-of-service level by use of SCADA system;
3. The city has one pressure zone;
4. Surges in pressure are limited by control valves;
5. Night-time pressure is reduced by control valves when feasible.
(3) Public information and education program.
(a) The city makes available consumer information encouraging water conservation from the Texas Water Development Board and American Water Works Association (AWWA). There are several different publications currently available.
(b) The city may mail out material developed by the staff, materials obtained from the Texas Water Development Board, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or other sources semi-annually (once in the spring and once in the summer) to all customers.
(c) The city is committed to creating and implementing a formal and on-going education program, which may address some or all of the following:
1. Provide qualified individuals to speak at institutions, organizations and groups throughout the area at regular intervals;
2. Conduct or sponsor exhibits on conservation, water saving devices and other methods to promote water conservation and efficiency;
3. Provide and distribute brochures and other materials to area citizens;
4. Work in cooperation with schools to establish an education program and provide conservation videos, brochures and teaching aids; and
5. Develop welcome packages for new citizens to educate and provide the benefits of conservation and availability of native water efficient plants, trees, shrubs and grasses.
(4) Water conservation oriented rate structures. The city reviews its rate structure on a regular basis. The city is committed in future reviews to be conservation minded as rate structures are deliberated. The city's utility rate structure is cost based to discourage excessive use of water. The city will continue to review rates annually to ensure water revenues exceed expenses and replacement costs and to discourage excessive and wasteful use.
(5) Water conserving plumbing fixtures. The city has adopted the 2003 International Plumbing Code, and all new construction or renovations in the city use water conserving fixtures, including but not limited to the following:
(a) Shower heads: no more than 2½ gallons per minute at 60-pounds per square inch of pressure;
(b) Lavatory/sink faucets and aerators: no more than 2.2 gallons per minute at 60-pounds per square inch of pressure;
(c) Toilets: no more than 1.6 gallons per flush;
(d) Urinals: no more than 1.0 gallons per flush;
(e) Drinking water fountains: must be self-closing;
(f) Hot water pipes: hot water lines not in or under a concrete slab will be insulated;
(g) Pressure reduction valves; pressure reduction valves may be installed where system pressures exceed 80-pounds per square inch;
(h) Swimming: swimming pools will have re-circulation filtration equipment.
(6) Water conservation retrofit program. In Mount Pleasant, the retrofit of existing plumbing fixtures shall be accomplished through the voluntary efforts of individual consumers for their homes and businesses. Adoption of a Water Conservation Plumbing Code can provide a gradual upgrading of plumbing fixtures in existing structures. Many water conserving plumbing devices are available at local hardware stores and can be installed by the consumer. Additional information on retrofitting will be provided through public education.
(7) Water conserving landscapes. The city encourages water conservation landscaping and is committed to informing and educating the public regarding this method of water conservation.
(8) Wastewater reuse/recycling. The city encourages reusing and recycling water whenever it is found to be fiscally, environmentally and institutionally practical and prudent. The city is currently using the treated effluent from Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant for plant wash down and chemical feed water. The city will continue to investigate and evaluate alternatives for reuse and/or recycling water as part of its Conservation Plan.
(9) Reservoir systems operations plan. The city currently purchases raw water from two wholesale providers. The city has annual water rights up to 10,000 acre-feet from Lake Bob Sandlin, which is operated by the Titus County Fresh Water Supply District, and 3,590 acre-feet from Lake Cypress Springs, which is operated by the Franklin County Water Utility District. This wholesale purchase of raw water requires the city to coordinate its withdraw of water from these sources to conform with the water conservation plans developed for both Lake Bob Sandlin and Lake Cypress Springs. Additionally the city owns and maintains Lake Tankersley reservoir, which supplies annual water rights of 3,000 acre-feet. This reservoir provides raw water to the city only in the event of a significant water shortage from the two sources.
(Ord. 2001-4, passed 4-17-01; Am. Ord. 2005-3, passed 4-19-05; Am. Ord. 2008-7, passed 3-18-08; Am. Ord. 2009-4, passed 4-7-09; Am. Ord. 2014-1, passed 3-17-14; Am. Ord. 2016-17, passed 11-1-16)