DIVISION 2. WATER CONSERVATION PLAN PROCEDURES

Sec. 32-144. Year round water use management.

To conserve water supplies available to the City of Abilene, year round water use management shall be implemented to restrict certain potable water use activities by all customers of the City of Abilene Water Utility System.

When conditions warrant, pursuant to section 32-141, the water conservation plan will be implemented in accordance with the applicable provisions of this plan.

(1)　　　Year round water use management. The following year round provisions shall apply to all potable water customers of the City of Abilene Water Utility System:

a.　　　Watering days: Customers are encouraged to conserve water by watering their lawn areas only once every seven (7) days on one of their designated watering days.

A customer's watering day is determined by the last digit of the house number or property address. Multi-unit properties will use the lowest address number; customers on rural routes will use the last number of their post office box number or their route number if they do not have a post office box number. Customers at Ft. Phantom Lake will use the last number of their lake lot. Customers in trailer parks will use the last number of their lot number.

When Ft. Phantom Reservoir is above 1630.9 feet elevation (less than five (5) feet below the spillway) the following three (3) day a week watering schedule applies:

TABLE INSET:

When Ft. Phantom Reservoir is between 1630.9 feet and 1625.9 feet elevation (between five (5) and ten (10) feet below the spillway), the following two (2) day a week watering schedule applies:

TABLE INSET:

b.　　　Watering times: Watering by all commercial, industrial, and residential customers utilizing individual sprinklers, or sprinkler systems, on lawns, gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs or other plants is prohibited except on designated day(s) and then only during the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00 am and from 6:00 pm until 12:00 midnight.

c.　　　Watering of gardens, flowerbeds, trees and shrubs is permitted at any time of any day if:

i.　　　A garden hose is used and is held in the hand during the duration of the irrigation event, or

ii.　　　A faucet-filled container of five gallons or less is used, or

iii.　　　A drip irrigation system such as a soaker hose, deep root water system, or bubbler is used. For the purpose of this section a drip irrigation system is defined as irrigation device or system designed to emit water at low volumes and low pressures directly onto soil surface or below soil surface without airborne streams or droplets.

d.　　　Irrigation of lawns is permitted at any time on any day if:

i.　　　A garden hose is used and is held in the hand during the duration of the irrigation event, or

ii.　　　A faucet-filled container of five (5) gallons or less is used.

A drip irrigation system shall not be used to irrigate lawns except on designated days and at designated times.

e.　　　New lawns that have been seeded (not to include re-seeding or over seeding existing turf), sodded or mulched may be watered daily for eight minutes once during each of the following periods: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and at regular intervals between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. for a maximum of three (3) weeks. To qualify under this section, new lawns are those installed in conjunction with the construction of a new residence and for a period six (6) months thereafter or the re-tilling of an area equaling at least fifty (50) per cent of an existing yard.

f.　　　Water wasting. The following uses of water are defined as "waste of water" and are absolutely prohibited:

i.　　　Allowing water to run off a property through the street, gutter, ditch, alley, or drain for more than seventy-five (75) feet from the downgrade of the property line;

ii.　　　Failure to repair a controllable leak, including a broken sprinkler head, a leaking valve, leaking or broken pipes, or a leaking faucet.

iii.　　　Operating a permanently installed irrigation system with a broken sprinkler head; a sprinkler head that is spraying over a street or parking lot because it is out of adjustment; or a sprinkler head that is misting due to high pressure.

g.　　　Use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to firefighting activities or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare. The director of water utilities will review written requests on a case by case basis for the purchase and withdrawal of fire hydrants for land development and building construction processes.

h.　　　Ornamental fountains are allowed if the fountain is equipped with a device for recycling water and water may be added to sustain appropriate maintenance levels only on the customer's regularly designated watering days.

i.　　　Water may be added to swimming pools to sustain appropriate maintenance levels only on the customer's regularly designated watering days.

j.　　　The operation of charity car washes must:

i.　　　Not allow water to run-off more than seventy-five (75) feet, and

ii.　　　Use hoses with on/off nozzles and buckets.

k.　　　Large-scale recreational development, such as, but not limited to, water parks, shall submit a plan to the director of water utilities that detail expected water consumption and maintenance requirements. Any deviation from the requirements of this article will be resolved on a case by case method.

(2)　　　Administrative enforcement, presumption of ownership and control; hearing officers; administration of hearings, hearings, appeals, payment, subsequent violations, fees, and requests for variances as pertaining to year round water use management are addressed in sections 32-147 through 32-156.

(Ord. No. 21-2003, Pt. 1(Exh. A), 5-22-03)

Sec. 32-145. Water conservation stages.

(a)　　　Watering days.　

(1)　　　During water conservation stages, a customer's watering day is determined by the last digit of the house number or property address. Multi-unit properties will use the lowest address number. Customers on rural routes will use the last number of their post office box number or their route number if they do not have a post office box number. Customers at Ft. Phantom Lake will use the last number of their lake lot. Customers in trailer parks will use the last number of their lot number.

TABLE INSET:

For example: If an address is 555 Walnut Street, the last number is five (5) and the watering day is Saturday.

For purposes of this section only, residential usage includes single family residences, multi-family residences and apartment complexes. Non-residential customers shall follow the above schedule with the exception of the following changes:

TABLE INSET:

(2)　　　Bi-weekly watering as prescribed in Stage 2 will occur according to location in east or west sides of the city, bounded on the north side of the city by Grape St. and then Pine St. to the north city limits (north of Grape St.) and on the south side of the city by Sayles Blvd. to Buffalo Gap Road and then Buffalo Gap Road to the south city limits.

(3)　　　Entities with large, open spaces (e.g., schools, universities, city parks, golf courses) using potable water may submit alternate watering schedules to the director of water utilities except as otherwise prohibited in this article. Upon his/her written approval acknowledged by the entity in question, these entities may follow the approved schedule rather than the calendar system, and will be held responsible for all the provisions of this article, based on the approved schedule.

(b)　　　Stage 1 water alert--Implementation criteria:　 Combined treatment plant pumpage in excess of 49.5 (mgd) for two (2) consecutive days; or, continually falling water storage facility levels which do not refill above fifty (50) per cent overnight; or, depletion of the Ft. Phantom Reservoir to the elevation 1625.9 (10 ft. below spillway) if Hubbard Creek Reservoir is at sixty (60) per cent capacity or less or 1624.9 (eleven (11) ft. below spillway) if Hubbard Creek Reservoir is at greater than sixty (60) per cent of capacity, or any unforeseen conditions that may occur that cause the city manager to recommend implementation to the mayor.　

Upon announcement and implementation by the city, the following restrictions shall apply to all persons:

(1)　　　Landscape irrigation.

a.　　　Irrigation by all commercial, industrial, (including agricultural irrigation), and residential customers utilizing individual sprinklers, or sprinkler systems, of lawns, gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs or other plants is prohibited except on a designated day which shall be once every seven (7) days and then only during the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m. and from 6:00 p.m. until 12:00 midnight.

Provided, however, irrigation of gardens, flowerbeds, trees and shrubs is permitted at any time of day if:

i.　　　A garden hose is used and is held in the hand during the duration of the irrigation event, or

ii.　　　A faucet-filled container of five (5) gallons or less is used, or

iii.　　　A drip irrigation system such as soaker hose, deep root water system, or bubbler is used. For the purpose of this section a drip irrigation system is defined as an irrigation device or system designed to emit water at low volumes and low pressures directly onto soil surface or below soil surface without airborne streams or droplets.

Irrigation of lawns is permitted at any time on any day if:

i.　　　A garden hose is used and is held in the hand during the duration of the irrigation event, or

ii.　　　A faucet-filled container of five (5) gallons or less is used.

A drip irrigation system shall not be used to irrigate lawns except on designated days and at designated times.

b.　　　New lawns that have been seeded (not to include re-seeding or over seeding existing turf), sodded or mulched may be watered daily for eight (8) minutes once during each of the following periods: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and at regular intervals between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. for a maximum of three (3) weeks. To qualify under this section, new lawns are those installed in conjunction with the construction of a new residence and for a period six (6) months thereafter or the re-tilling of an area equaling at least fifty (50) per cent of a new yard.

(2)　　　Vehicle washing.

a.　　　It is permissible to wash automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, and other types of mobile equipment at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station or at any location including a residence by using a five (5) gallon container and/or a hand held hose equipped with a quick shut-off nozzle for quick rinses.

b.　　　If the health, safety and welfare of the public depends upon frequent vehicle cleaning, as determined by the director of water utilities or his/her designee, then washing of vehicles such as emergency vehicles, aircraft, garbage trucks, and vehicles used to transport food and perishables will be allowed.

c.　　　Charity car washes are prohibited.

(3)　　　Water may be added to swimming pools to sustain appropriate maintenance levels only on designated irrigation day.

(4)　　　Ornamental fountains are allowed if the fountain is equipped with a device for recycling water and water may be added to sustain appropriate maintenance levels only on the customer's regularly designated watering day.

(5)　　　Use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to firefighting activities or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety and welfare. By written approval from the director of water utilities, businesses may purchase and draw water from fire hydrants for land development and building construction processes.

(6)　　　The following uses of water are defined as "waste of water" and are absolutely prohibited:

a.　　　Allowing water to run off a property through the street, gutter, ditch, alley, or drain for more than seventy-five (75) feet from the downgrade of the property line;

b.　　　Failure to repair a controllable leak; including a broken sprinkler head, a leaking valve, leaking or broken pipes, or a leaking faucet.

c.　　　Operating a permanently installed irrigation system with:

i.　　　A broken sprinkler head;

ii.　　　A sprinkler head that is spraying over a street or parking lot because it is out of adjustment; or

iii.　　　A sprinkler head that is misting due to high pressure

d.　　　Washing sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or other paved areas, except to alleviate immediate fire, health and safety hazards, or to prepare an area for pavement repair or application.

(7)　　　Commercial and industrial users.

a.　　　Commercial and industrial users of water shall, in addition to complying with other applicable articles in this article, reduce their monthly consumption of water by a minimum of fifteen (15) per cent compared to use during the same month of the previous year.

b.　　　Industrial users may, in order to justify water use, present a conservation plan for approval by the director of water utilities.

c.　　　Golf courses will submit a conservation plan for approval by the director of water utilities if potable irrigation water is to be used.

(c)　　　Stage 2 water warning--Implementation criteria:　 Combined treatment plant pumpage in excess of 49.5 mgd for two (2) days; or, continually falling water storage facility levels which do not refill above fifty (50) per cent overnight or, depletion of the Ft. Phantom Reservoir to the elevation 1618.9 (seventeen (17) ft. below spillway); or, major line breaks, or pump system failure which causes unprecedented loss of capability to provide service, or any unforeseen conditions that may occur that cause the city manager to recommend implementation to the mayor.　

Upon announcement and implementation by the city, the following restrictions shall apply to all persons:

(1)　　　Landscape irrigation.

a.　　　Irrigation by all commercial, industrial and residential customers utilizing individual sprinklers, or sprinkler systems, of lawns, gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs or other plants is prohibited except on a designated day which shall be once every two (2) weeks and then only during the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m. and from 6:00 p.m. until 12:00 midnight.

Provided, however, irrigation of gardens, flowerbeds, trees and shrubs is permitted at any time of day if:

i.　　　A garden hose is used and is held in the hand during the duration of the

ii.　　　Irrigation event, or

iii.　　　A faucet-filled container of five (5) gallons or less is used, or

iii.　　　A drip irrigation system such as soaker hose, deep root water system, or bubbler is used. For the purpose of this section a drip irrigation system is defined as an irrigation device or system designed to emit water at low volumes and low pressures directly onto soil surface or below soil surface without airborne streams or droplets.

Irrigation of lawns is permitted at any time on any day if:

i.　　　A garden hose is used and is held in the hand during the duration of the irrigation event, or

ii.　　　A faucet-filled container of five (5) gallons or less is used.

A drip irrigation system shall not be used to irrigate lawns except on designated days and at designated times.

b.　　　New lawns may be watered daily for eight (8) minutes once during each of the following periods: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and at regular intervals between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. for a maximum of three (3) weeks. To qualify under this section, new lawns are those installed in conjunction with the construction of a new residence and for a period six (6) months thereafter. Re-tilling or any replanting or reseeding of existing lawns shall not qualify for new lawn status in this section.

(2)　　　Vehicle washing.

a.　　　It is permissible to wash automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, and other types of mobile equipment at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station or at any location including a residence by using a five (5) gallon container and/or a hand held hose equipped with a quick shut-off nozzle for quick rinses.

b.　　　If the health, safety and welfare of the public depends upon frequent vehicle cleaning, as determined by the director of water utilities or his/her designee, then washing of vehicles such as emergency vehicles, aircraft, garbage trucks, and vehicles used to transport food and perishables will be allowed.

c.　　　Charity car washes are prohibited.

(3)　　　Water may be added to swimming pools to sustain appropriate maintenance levels weekly, on the customer's regularly designated irrigation day.

(4)　　　Ornamental fountains are allowed if the fountain is equipped with a device for recycling water and water may be added to sustain appropriate maintenance levels only on the customer's regularly designated watering day.

(5)　　　Use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to firefighting activities or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety and welfare. By written approval from the director of water utilities, businesses may purchase and draw water from fire hydrants for land development and building construction processes.

(6)　　　The following uses of water are defined as "waste of water" and are absolutely prohibited:

a.　　　Allowing water to run off a property through the street, gutter, ditch, alley, or drain for more than seventy-five (75) feet from the downgrade of the property line;

b.　　　Failure to repair a controllable leak; including a broken sprinkler head, a leaking valve, leaking or broken pipes, or a leaking faucet;

c.　　　Operating a permanently installed irrigation system with:

i.　　　A broken sprinkler head;

ii.　　　A sprinkler head that is spraying over a street or parking lot because it is out of adjustment; or

iii.　　　A sprinkler head that is misting due to high pressure.

d.　　　Washing sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or other paved areas, except to alleviate immediate fire, health or safety hazards, or to prepare an area for pavement repair or application.

(7)　　　Commercial and industrial users.

a.　　　Commercial and industrial users of water shall continue to maintain at least a fifteen (15) per cent monthly reduction of water use compared to use during the same month of the previous year.

Individual allotments may be adjusted by the director based on historical water usage conservation practices of customer. The other restrictions of Stage 2 still apply to commercial and industrial users.

b.　　　Industrial users may present a conservation plan for approval by the director of water utilities.

c.　　　Golf courses using potable water will reduce consumption by thirty (30) per cent of contracted amount.

(d)　　　Stage 3 water emergency--Implementation criteria:　 Combined treatment plant pumpage in excess of thirty (30) mgd for three (3) days and depletion of the Ft. Phantom Reservoir to the elevation 1614.9 (twenty-one (21) ft. below spillway); or major line breaks, or pump system failure which causes unprecedented loss of capability to provide service, or any unforeseen conditions that may occur that cause the city manager to recommend implementation to the mayor.　

Upon announcement and implementation by the city, the following restrictions shall apply to all persons:

(1)　　　Landscape irrigation. Irrigation of gardens, flowerbeds, trees and shrubs (not lawns) by all commercial, industrial, and residential customers is permitted at any time on any day only if:

a.　　　A garden hose is used and is held in the hand during the duration of the irrigation event, or

b.　　　A faucet-filled container of five (5) gallons or less is used, or

c.　　　A drip irrigation system such as soaker hose, deep root water system, or bubbler is used. For the purpose of this section a drip irrigation system is defined as an irrigation device or system designed to emit water at low volumes and low pressures directly onto soil surface or below soil surface without airborne streams or droplets.

Watering of lawns is prohibited at any time. No new lawns may be installed.

(2)　　　Vehicle washing.

a.　　　It is permissible to wash automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, and other types of mobile equipment at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station.

b.　　　If the health, safety and welfare of the public depends upon frequent vehicle cleaning, as determined by the director of water utilities or his/her designee, then washing of vehicles such as emergency vehicles, aircraft, garbage trucks, and vehicles used to transport food and perishables will be allowed.

c.　　　Charity car washes are prohibited.

(3)　　　Water may be added to swimming pools to sustain appropriate maintenance levels weekly, on the customer's regularly designated irrigation day. New construction of swimming pools is prohibited.

(4)　　　Ornamental fountains are allowed if the fountain is equipped with a device for recycling water and water may be added to sustain appropriate maintenance level only on the customer's regularly designated watering day. New construction of ornamental fountains is prohibited.

(5)　　　Use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to fire-fighting activities or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety and welfare. By written approval from the director of water utilities, businesses may purchase and draw water from fire hydrants for land development and building construction processes.

(6)　　　The following uses of water are defined as "waste of water" and are absolutely prohibited:

a.　　　Allowing water to run off a property through the street, gutter, ditch, alley, or drain for more than seventy-five (75) feet from the downgrade of the property line;

b.　　　Failure to repair a controllable leak; including a broken sprinkler head, a leaking valve, leaking or broken pipes, or a leaking faucet;

c.　　　Operating a permanently installed irrigation system with:

i.　　　A broken sprinkler head;

ii.　　　A sprinkler head that is spraying over a street or a parking lot because it is out of adjustment; or

iii.　　　A sprinkler head that is misting due to high pressure

d.　　　Washing sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or other paved areas, except to alleviate immediate fire, health or safety hazards, or to prepare an area for pavement repair or application.

(7)　　　Commercial and industrial users.

a.　　　Commercial and industrial users of water shall continue to maintain at least a fifteen (15) per cent monthly reduction of water use compared to use during the same month of the previous year.

Commercial and industrial users of water shall continue to maintain at least a fifteen (15) per cent monthly reduction of water use compared to use during the same month of the previous year.

A surcharge rate will be assessed for any water consumption that does not comply with the required reductions. The surcharge in addition to regular charges is as follows:

TABLE INSET:

Additionally, if a customer uses more than the allowed amount more than once at any time during Stage 3, the customer's water may be turned off and there will be a two hundred fifty dollar ($250.00) re-connect fee, in addition to the listed fees.

Individual allotments may be adjusted by the director of water utilities based on historical water usage conservation practices of customer. The other restrictions of Stage 3 still apply to commercial and industrial users.

b.　　　Industrial users may present a conservation plan for approval by the director of water utilities.

c.　　　Each golf course using potable water will reduce consumption by fifty (50) per cent of contracted amount.

(e)　　　Stage 4 water crisis--Implementation criteria:　 Loss of capability to provide water service or contamination of supply source, or any unforeseen/unexpected conditions that may occur that cause the city manager to recommend implementation to the mayor.　

Upon announcement and implementation by the city, the following restrictions shall apply to all persons:

(1)　　　All outdoor irrigation of vegetation including lawns, using potable water is prohibited.

(2)　　　Only washing of mobile equipment in the critical interest of the public health or safety shall be allowed.

(3)　　　The filling, refilling or adding of water to swimming and/or wading pools is prohibited. The construction of new swimming pools is prohibited.

(4)　　　The operation of any ornamental fountain or similar structure is prohibited. The construction of new ornamental fountains is prohibited.

(5)　　　Use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting and related activities or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety and welfare. Water for domestic use only may be purchased from the bulk loading station.

(6)　　　The following uses of water are defined as "waste of water" and are absolutely prohibited:

a.　　　Allowing water to run off a property through the street, gutter, ditch, alley, or drain for more than seventy-five (75) feet from the downgrade of the property line;

b.　　　Failure to repair a controllable leak; including a broken sprinkler head, a leaking valve, leaking or broken pipes, or a leaking faucet;

c.　　　Operating a permanently installed irrigation system with:

i.　　　A broken sprinkler head;

ii.　　　A sprinkler head that is spraying over a street or parking lot because it is out of adjustment; or

iii.　　　A sprinkler head that is misting due to high pressure

d.　　　Washing sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or other paved areas, except to alleviate immediate fire, health or safety hazards.

(7)　　　Commercial and industrial users.

a.　　　Commercial and industrial users of water (for other than drinking water and rest rooms) shall continue to maintain at least a fifteen (15) per cent reduction of water use compared to use during the same month of the previous year.

A surcharge rate will be assessed for any water consumption that does not comply with the required reductions. The surcharge in addition to regular charges is as follows:

TABLE INSET:

Additionally, if a customer uses more than the allowed amount more than once at any time during Stage 4, then after each such overuse these surcharges will be added and the customer's water may be turned off and there will be a five hundred dollar ($500.00) re-connect fee, in addition to the listed fees.

Individual allotments may be adjusted by the director of water utilities based on historical water usage and conservation practices of the customer. The other restrictions of Stage 4 still apply to commercial and industrial users.

b.　　　Water used for industrial purposes not in the immediate interest of the public health, safety and welfare will be curtailed to the extent necessary to effectuate the needs and purposes of this plan.

(Ord. No. 21-2003, Pt. 1(Exh. A), 5-22-03)

Sec. 32-146. Target water use goals.

The following target goals for water usage are established for use during water conservation stages as contained in section 32-145:

(1)　　　Stage 1. Water alert--Target water use goal:　 Combined treatment plant production less than 49.5 million gallons per day (MGD) for all Abilene water treatment facilities.　

(2)　　　Stage 2. Water warning--Target water use goal:　 Combined treatment plant production less than 49.5 MGD for all Abilene water treatment facilities.　

(3)　　　Stage 3. Water emergency--Target water use goal:　 Combined treatment plant production less than 30 MGD for all Abilene water treatment facilities.　

(4)　　　Stage 4. Water crisis--Target water use goal:　 Combined treatment plant production less than 30 MGD for all Abilene water treatment facilities.　

(Ord. No. 9-2005, Pt. 1(Exh. A), 4-14-05)