Title
Consider an ordinance amending Chapter 44, Article VIII, Code of Ordinances (2018 Edition), regarding drought contingency and water use management. (First Reading) (Requires Two Readings)
Body
The City has determined that an aggressive water conservation and drought contingency program will protect the integrity of water supply facilities, prolong the life of existing water sources, and minimize the impacts of water supply shortages. The City has previously adopted Chapter 44, Article VIII, Code of Ordinances regarding Drought Contingency and Water Use Management.
The Utilities & Environmental Services Department continuously modifies our drought contingency plans as circumstances change from our water supply providers, and now recommends the following changes to the ordinance:
• Year-round water use standards, when not in a specified drought stage, requires all water customers to follow a two day per week water schedule if the customer chooses to irrigate outdoors. Irrigation will not be permitted between the hours of 10am and 7pm year-round. Water days will be on the same two-day schedule as Stage 1 restrictions allow.
• Stage 1- 3 triggers have been adjusted based on combined storage volumes of Lake Georgetown and Stillhouse Hollow Lake as determined by the Brazos River Authority and Lake Buchanan and Lake Travis as determined by the Lower Colorado River Authority.
• Watering time will be limited to midnight to 10am for Stage 1 twice-per-week watering schedule and Stage 2 once-per-week watering schedule.
• Stage 3 trigger when Lake Georgetown water surface elevation reaches 765 feet above mean sea level for three consecutive days.
The City has also determined that it is its policy that water customers are encouraged to voluntarily limit the use of water for nonessential purposes and to practice water conservation at all times.
Cost: N/A
Source of Funds: N/A