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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Water Resources Advisory Committee - 04/17/1996 r ' Minutes Water Conservation Advisory Committee April 17, 1996 The meeting was called to order by Dr. David McNichols and James Dodson at 1:50 p.m. Members present included Dr. David McNichols,Allan Schoen, Ford Patton, Eugene Urban, Herman R.Johnson, Chuck Bird, Caralee Dibble, Terry Boone, Bill Antonetz, Gene Dressen, Dale Nelson, Doug Matthews, Richard L. Garza, Mickey Garza, Robert D. Johanson, Carola G. Serrato, Dan Davis, Billy W. Dick, and Don King. Staff members present included Carl Crull, James Dodson,Victor S. Medina,Yolanda R. Marruffo, Susan Cable and Maria Bazan-Garcia. Jerry Kane,John McHugh and Darlene Locke called to report their absence from the meeting. A correction was made to the minutes of April 3, 1996. Mickey Garza of Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) requested that his statement be revised as follows: "Mickey Garza stated that if the City implemented Condition II of the Drought Management Plan on or about May 1, 1996,TNRCC would consider rescinding the May and June freshwater releases." James Dodson reported the status of the reservoir system which was 36.6 percent of capacity. He estimated a drop of 2 percent per month in the reservoir level which would accelerate during the summer months. He reported that we received only 433 acre feet of inflows during March,with 10,000 acre feet lost to evaporation. He estimated 200 acre feet of inflows during April 1996,with approximately 2,000 acre feet being received from January through March 1996. • Discussion followed on the status of the City's water wells. Victor Medina reported that six of the wells needed to be repaired. The City's Engineering Department is receiving bids to bring the six wells to an operational status. Mr. Dodson stated that he had met with Dan Pearson of TNRCC regarding the City's implementation of Condition II of the Drought Contingency Plan. Mr. Pearson did not oppose the City's action as long as there were measurable reductions in water demand. TNRCC also expressed an understanding to protecting the local economy. Mr. Dodson reported that a revision to the Drought Contingency Plan would be taken to the City Council on Tuesday, April 23, 1996 so that Condition II may be implemented on or about April 30, 1996. Considerable discussion followed on the measures of Condition I, II and Ill as presented by Mr. Dodson. Carola Serrato asked about the frequency of watering for trees, shrubs and plant materials under Condition I and II. Herman Johnson stated that turf areas survive with watering once every ten days and suggested that we should not differentiate lawn and shrub watering. Ford Patton suggested that the public would be confused if the policy was changed every time we moved from one condition to another. He stated that the City of Beeville would implement a no watering schedule from 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. Mr.Johnson stated that most sprinklers are designed to irrigate once a week rather than once every ten days. Bob Johanson inquired if the City of Beeville could differentiate from the Corpus Christi drought plan. Mr. Ford stated that the plan allowed for a reduction in water. Ray Allen stated that we needed to be consistent in our lawn watering provision and not change the policy after 1 or 2 months. Dan Davis stated the school fields are usually watered once a week. He felt that watering once every ten days would cause the turf to show signs of stress. Terry Boone asked how commercial and industrial customers would be affected. Mr. Dodson suggested that one or two days a week be designated. Don King asked why we did not recommend the use of grey water and wastewater effluent. Mr. Dodson stated that City quietly encourages the use of grey water however, the public is discouraged from allowing ponding of water which could cause the spread of bacteria and mosquitos. He reported that TNRCC was preparing guidelines for the use of grey water. Carl Crull stated that the wastewater facilities are required to dechlorinate effluent before it is released to the bay. Mr. Crull pointed out that dechlorinated water is unsuitable for lawn irrigation. He reported that golf courses pump effluent out of the treatment facility before it is dechlorinated. SCANNED f The Committee's suggestions were reviewed: Lawn watering for residential customers limited to once a week • Weekend watering allowed on (odd/even days) Prohibit lawn watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Commercial nurseries required to water with hand-held devices. Mr. Dodson stated that odd/even address for lawn watering was expected to be approved by the City Council on April 23. A recommendation was made to allow lawn watering once day a week, Monday through Friday, to be determined by the last digit of the address. Victor Medina suggested that the last digit of a home address be used to establish the day when lawn watering would be permitted. For example, homes whose address ended in zero or one (0/1)would be allowed to water on Monday, two or nine(2/9)on Tuesday,three or eight(3/8) on Wednesday,four or seven (4/7) on Thursday and five or six on Friday. Carl Crull recommended that the motion include exceptions provided in the lawn watering ordinance, Section (1)(c). Caralee Dibble stated that the requirements were getting too complicated and that we should educate the public to water for thirty minutes once a week. The Committee voted 14 in favor of and three opposed to amend Phase I of Condition II to include all of Condition I measures, including once a week watering with prohibited lawn water use during the hours of 10 a.m.to 6 p.m., shut off water to ornamental fountains, defective plumbing allowing waste of water must be repaired or shut off, • residential and non-profit organizations allowed to wash cars only from a bucket and the use of a hand-held restrictor or at commercial car wash, and prohibit washing of building or pavements, except by commercial operators. Discussion followed on Phase 2 and 3 of Condition II. Mr. Dodson recommended removing the first two provisions of Phase 2 of Condition II which addressed lawn watering only on ten day intervals and the watering of trees, shrubs, gardens only on Tuesday,Thursdays and Saturdays. The provision of no watering of golf course fairways was changed to once a week. The appointment of the Water Allocation and Review Committee was moved from Phase 3 to Phase 2 of Condition II. Ray Allen inquired about the implementation of Condition II being extended through the end of 1996. Mr. Dodson stated that the measures which affected the local economy were placed in Phase III of Condition II. He had reviewed this option with TNRCC officials who expressed no opposition. Doug Matthews recommended that the sale of wastewater effluent be moved from Phase 2 to Phase 3 of Condition II,to be effective October 1, 1996. He cited that it would be labor intensive and result in operating and construction costs for building a loading dock. Dale Nelson inquired if the date or capacity levels established on the provisions of the Drought Contingency Plan would fluctuate. Mr. Dodson stated that we did not have internal fixtures set at this time; however, assumptions will be made on the reservoir capacity. James reviewed the amended provisions of Condition II, Phase 2 and 3 as discussed by the Committee(see attachment to the minutes). A motion was made by Billy Dick, second (simultaneously) by Doug Matthews, Richard Garza and Dale Nelson to recommended to the City Council amendments to Condition I and Condition II (Phase 2 and 3) . The Committee voted 12 in favor of and none against. The next meeting was set for May 1, 1996 at 1 p.m. Mr. Dodson reported that he would be out of town and that it was a good opportunity to elect a chair for the Committee. With no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m.