HomeMy WebLinkAbout029846 ORD - 05/28/20131
Ordinance adopting the Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency
Plan; Amending City Code of Ordinances, Chapter 55, Article XII Water
Conservation, regarding water resource management including drought
restrictions and surcharges, providing an effective date of June 3, 2013; and
providing for penalties.
Section 1. The Water Conservation Plan attached as Exhibit A is hereby adopted.
Section 2. The Drought Contingency Plan attached as Exhibit B is hereby adopted.
Section 3. The Corpus Christi Code of Ordinances, Chapter 55, Utilities, Article
XII Water Conservation, Sections 55 -150 through 55 -156, and Sections 55 -158
through 55 -159 are repealed and replaced with the following sections to read as
follows:
ARTICLE XII WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Sec. 55 -150 Scope, purpose, and authorization
(a) Scope. There is hereby established a City of Corpus Christi Water Conservation Plan and
Drought Contingency Plan. The City of Corpus Christi Water Conservation Plan and Drought
Contingency Plan 2013, dated May 28, 2013, a true copy of which is on file in the office of the
city secretary, is adopted, and shall be followed in matters concerning water conservation
drought management, and water supply enhancement programs.
(b) Declaration of policy.
(1) It is hereby declared that the general welfare requires that the water resources
available to the city be put to the maximum beneficial use to the extent to which they are
capable, and that the waste or unreasonable use, or unreasonable method of use of water be
prevented, and the conservation of such water is to be extended with a view to the
reasonable and beneficial use thereof in the interests of the people of the area served by the
city's water resources and for the public welfare.
(2) In making decisions under this article concerning the allocation of water between
conflicting interests, highest priority will be given to allocation necessary to support human
life and health; i.e., the minimum amount of water necessary for drinking, prevention of
disease, and the like. Second highest priority will be given to allocations which will result
in the least loss of employment to persons whose income is essential to their families.
(c )Authorization. The city mana ger , or his desi nee upon the recommendation of the assistant
city manager, public works and utilities, is hereby authorized and directed to implement the
applicable provisions of this article upon their determination that such implementation is
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necessary to protect the public welfare and safety.
(d) In this Article, "City Manager" means the City Manager or the City Manager's designee.
Sec. 55 -151 Water Conservation Measures at All Times.
(a) The following measures are year -round water conservation best management practices
that are in effect at all times, regardless of the reservoir levels or drought contingency
levels.
(1) Prohibition on wasting water: Actions leading to wasting of water are prohibited
and will be enforced. No person shall:
a. Allow water to run off property into gutters or streets.
b. Permit or maintain defective plumbing in a home, business establishment or any
location where water is used on the premises. Defective plumbing includes out -of-
repair water closets, underground leaks, defective or leaking faucets and taps.
c. Allow water to flow constantly through a tap, hydrant, valve, or otherwise by any
use of water connected to the City water system.
d. Use any non - recycling decorative water fountain.
e. Allow irrigation heads or sprinklers to spray directly on paved surfaces such as
driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks in public right -of -ways.
f. Operate an irrigation system at water pressure higher than recommended, causing
heads to mist, or to operate with broken heads.
(2) Time of Irrigation: Irrigation by spray or sprinklers is prohibited between the hours of
10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. It is still permissible to water by hand or by drip irrigation at any
time of day, unless the City enters Stage 4 Drought.
(3) Restaurant Water Saving: Commercial dining facilities must only serve water upon request.
Sec. 55 -152 Drought Management: Drought Contingency Stages.
(a) The level of drought severity determines the extent of potential water use restrictions that
shall be implemented. Following are the levels of drought in the form of Stages:
I. Stage 1: Mild water shortage condition
2. Stage 2: Moderate water shortage condition
3. Stage 3: Severe water shortage condition
4. Stage 4: Critical water shortage condition
5. Stage 5: Emergency water shortage condition
(b) Criteria for Initiation and Termination of Drought Response Stages
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(1) The City Manager, or designee, shall monitor water supply and/or demand conditions
on a weekly basis and shall determine when conditions warrant initiation or
termination of each stage, that is, when the specified "triggers" are reached. However,
the City Manager, in the exercise of the City Manager's discretion, may initiate or
terminate any stage when the City Manager deems necessary at any particular time.
(2) The triggering criterion to be monitored for determining drought response stages is
(1) the combined reservoir storage levels of Choke Canyon Reservoir and Lake
Corpus Christi or (2), in the alternative for Stage 1, Lake Texan's level.
(3) Whenever any of the stages listed below are triggered, the City Manager shall publish
a public notice of the particular stage, in the daily newspaper of general circulation in
Nueces County.
(4) To the extent of City's legal authority, the City Manager shall require the City's raw
water and wholesale treated water customers to issue public notice advising their
water customers of conservation and drought management activities consistent with
the stages listed below.
(c) The triggering criterions are as follows:
(1) Stage 1— Mild Water Shortage Condition
Requirements for initiation — The combined storage level of Choke Canyon
Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi declines below 50 percent or Lake Texana
storage level declines below 40 %.
Requirement for termination — Stage 1 of the Plan may be rescinded when the
combined storage level of Choke Canyon Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi
increases above 60 percent or Lake Texana storage level increases above 50 %.
Either of these conditions must exist for a period of 15 consecutive days before
termination of Stage 1.
(2) Stage 2 — Moderate Water Shortage Condition
Requirements for initiation — The combined storage level for Choke Canyon
Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi declines to below 40 percent.
Requirement for termination — Stage 2 of the Plan may be rescinded when the
combined storage level increases above 50 percent for a period of 15 consecutive
days. Upon termination of Stage 2, Stage 1 becomes operative.
(3) Stage 3 — Severe Water Shortage Condition
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Requirements for initiation — The combined storage levels declines to below 30
percent.
Requirement for termination — Stage 3 of the Plan may be rescinded when the
combined storage level increases above 40 percent for a period of 15 consecutive
days. Upon termination of Stage 3, Stage 2 becomes operative.
(4) Stage 4 — Critical Water Shortage Condition
Requirements for initiation — The combined storage levels of Choke Canyon
Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi declines to below 20 percent.
Requirement for termination — Stage 4 of the Plan may be rescinded when the
combined storage level increases above 30 percent for a period of 15 consecutive
days. Upon termination of Stage 4, Stage 3 becomes operative.
(5) Stage 5 — Emergency Water Shortage Condition
Requirements for initiation — When the City Manager, or designee, determines that a
water supply emergency exists based on:
• A major water line breaks., or pump or system failures occur, which causes
unprecedented loss of capability to provide water service; or
• Water production or distribution system limitations; or
• Natural or man -made contamination of the water supply source occurs.
Requirement for termination — The emergency water shortage condition may be
rescinded when the City Manager, or designee, deems appropriate.
Sec. 55 -153. Drou ht Mana ement: Drou ht Best Mana ement Practices Per Sta e
(a) In order to achieve water use reduction during drought, a series of best
management practices will be enacted and enforced at each stage of a drought. These best
management practices (BMP) are listed below by stage. During Stages 2, 3, and 4,
requests for exceptions may be presented to the Director of Water Operations or his
designee.
(b) Stage 1 Response — MILD Water Shortage Conditions
(1) Target: Achieve a voluntary 5% reduction in daily treated water demand relative
to treated water demand with the water use restrictions below.
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(2) Best Management Practices for Supply Management:
The City will enact voluntary measures to reduce or discontinue the flushing of
water mains if practicable and utilize reclaimed water for non - potable uses to the
greatest extent possible.
(3) Water Use Restrictions for Reducing Demand
a. Water customers are requested to voluntarily limit the irrigation of
landscaped areas to once per week. The watering schedule will be determined by
the City Manager or designee.
b. All operations of the City of Corpus Christi shall adhere to water use
restrictions prescribed for Stage 2 of the Nan.
c. Water customers are requested to practice water conservation and to
minimize or discontinue water use for non - essential purposes.
( c) Stage 2 Response — MODERATE Water Shortage Conditions
(1) Target: During Stage 2, achieve a 10% reduction in daily treated water demand
relative to treated water demand with the water use restrictions below.
(2) Best Management Practices for Supply Management:
In addition to the best management practices for supply management listed under
Stage 1, the City will also do the following during Stage 2:
a. Use more repair crews if necessary to allow for a quicker response time for
water -line leak repair; and
b. City crews (Water and other departments) begin monitoring customers'
compliance with Stage 2 restrictions during the course of their daily rounds.
(3) The following water use restrictions shall apply to all persons during Stage 2:
a. Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose -end sprinklers or automatic irrigation
systems shall be limited to once per week. The watering schedule will be
determined by the City Manager or designee. Customers will be made aware of
their designated watering day in accordance with Drought Contingency Plan.
However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted on any day if it is by
means of a hand -held hose (with positive shutoff nozzle), a faucet filled bucket
or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, or drip irrigation system with a
positive shutoff device. Exceptions for this restriction may be permitted, upon
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review and approval by the Director of Water Operations or his designee for
the following uses: new plantings (for up to 60 days), vegetable gardens,
athletic playing fields, and botanical gardens. In addition, this restriction does
not apply to customers irrigating with well water or an aerobic septic system.
Customers irrigating with well water or an aerobic septic system must apply
for a permit from the City Water Department to be prominently posted on the
premises within two (2) feet of the street number located on the premises.
b. Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer., airplane or
other vehicle is prohibited except on designated watering days_ However,
washing of boats and/or flushing of boat motors is permitted upon immediate
exit of water body. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-
held bucket or a hand -held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for
quick rinses. Vehicle washing may be done at any time on the immediate
premises of a commercial car wash. Further, such washing may be exempted
from these regulations upon review and approval by the Director of Water
Operations or his designee if the health, safety, and welfare of the public is
contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such as garbage trucks and
vehicles used to transport food and perishables.
c. Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools,
wading pools, or Jacuzzi -type pools is prohibited except on designated
watering days.
d. Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes
is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life.
e. Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting, related activities,
or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare,
except that use of water from designated fire hydrants for construction
purposes may be allowed under special permit from the City of Corpus Christi
Water Department.
f. Use of water for the irrigation of golf course greens, tees, and fairways is
prohibited except on designated watering days. However, if the golf course
utilizes a water source other than that provided through City of Corpus Christi
Water Department infrastructure, the facility shall not be subject to these
regulations.
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g. The use of water to maintain integrity of building foundations is limited to
designated watering days and is only permitted by use of hand -held hose or
drip irrigation.
h. The following uses of water are defined as non- essential and are prohibited:
1) Wash -down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis
courts, or other hard - surfaced areas, except if it is in the interest of public
health and safety.
2) Use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than
immediate fire rotection without ermit anted by the Director of Water
Operations or his designee..
3) Use of water for dust control without permit granted by the Director of
Water Operations or his designee.
(d) Stage 3 Response — SEVERE Water Shortage Conditions
(1) Target: During Stage 3, achieve a 15% reduction in total daily treated water
demand relative to treated water demand with the water use restrictions below.
(2) Best Management Practices for Supply Management:
In addition to the best management practices for supply management listed under
Stage 2, the City will also do the following during Stage 3:
a. Eliminate the flushing of water mains unless required for decontamination
and/or public safety; and
b. Review customers' water usage for compliance based on the previous
month's water use and notify violators verbally or in writing as the situation
dictates.
(3) Water Use Restrictions for Demand Reduction:
All requirements of Stage 2 shall remain in effect during Stage 3 except as
modified below:
a. Irrigation of landscaped areas shall be limited to once every other
week. The watering schedule will be determined by the City Manager or
designee. Customers will be made aware of their designated watering
day. However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted on any day if
it is by means of a hand -held hose (with positive shutoff nozzle), a
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faucet filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, or drip
irrigation system with a positive shutoff device. Exceptions for this
restriction may be permitted, upon review and approval by the Director
of Water Operations or his designee, for the following uses: new
plantings (for up to 60 days), vegetable gardens, athletic playing fields,
and botanical gardens. In addition, this restriction does not apply to
customers irrigating with well water or an aerobic septic system.
Customers irrigating with well water or an aerobic septic system shall
still apply for a permit from the City Water Department to be
prominently posted on the premises within two (2) feet of the street
number located on the premises.
b. The watering of golf course fairways with potable water_is prohibited.
The watering of greens and tees are limited to once every other week
unless the golf course utilizes a water source other than that provided
through City of Corpus Christi Water Department infrastructure or done
by means of hand -held hoses, hand -held buckets, or drip irrigation.
(4) During Stage 3, the following measures are optional water use restrictions
that may be implemented by the City Manager, or designee, with City Council
approval t as conditions warrant:
a. The use of water for construction purposes from designated fire hydrants
under special permit is to be discontinued.
b. For residential and multi -unit customers, a drought surcharge of up to
and including 100% of the total monthly water bill over the monthly
allocation may be added to the customers' bill to deter discretionary
water use.
(e) Stage 4 Response — CRITICAL Water Shortage Conditions
(1) Target: During Stage 4, achieve a 30% or greater reduction in daily treated
water demand relative to treated water demand with the water use restrictions
below. An additional surcharge will be added to each utility bill during Stage 4
water shortage conditions to discourage discretionary water use, as described in
Section 55 -154 for retail customers and Section 55 -159 for wholesale customers.
(2) Best Management Practices for Supply Management:
In addition to the best management practices for supply management listed
under Stage 3, the City will also do the following during Stage 4:
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• Upon written notice, disconnect the water meters of willful violators if
absolutely necessary to prevent the deliberate wasting of water.
(3) Water Use Restrictions for Demand Reduction:
All requirements of Stage 2 and 3 shall remain in effect during Stage 4 except as
modified below:
a) Irrigation of landscaped areas shall be prohibited at all times.
b) Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, or
other vehicle not occurring on the premises of a commercial car wash
and not in the immediate interest of public health, safety, and welfare is
prohibited.
c) The filling, refilling, or adding of water to swimming pools, wading
pools, and jacuzzi -type pools, and water parks (unless utilizing water
from a non-city alternative source) is prohibited.
d) The use of water to maintain the integrity of a building foundation is
still permitted on the designated Stage 3 watering day and shall be done
by hand or drip irrigation method.
(4) During Stage 4, the following measures are optional water use restrictions
that may be implemented by the City Manager, or designee, with City Council
approval, as conditions warrant:
a) No application for new, additional, expanded, or increased -in -size water
service connections, meters, service lines, pipeline extensions, mains, or
water service facilities of any kind shall be approved, and time limits for
approval of such applications are hereby suspended for such time as this
drought response stage shall be in effect.
b) For residential and multi -unit customers, a drought surcharge of up to
and including 100% of the total monthly water bill over the monthly
allocation may be added to the customers' bill to deter discretionary
water use.
(f) Stage 5 Response -- EMERGENCY Water Shortage Conditions
(1) Target: During Stage 5, achieve a 50% or greater reduction in daily
treated water demand relative to treated water demand with the below water use
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restrictions. Surcharges and reduced allocations are enforceable during Stage 5
water shortage conditions, as described in Section 55 -154.
During emergency conditions such as system outage, supply source
contamination, or supply sources draining empty, alternative water sources and/or
alternative delivery mechanisms may be necessary with prior approval of the City
Manager. For emergency water shortage conditions associated with
contamination of Nueces Basin stored supplies, the City, under the City
Manager's direction, will cease pumping from the Nueces River and will contact
the LNRA to identify additional, temporary water that may be available from
Lake Texana on a short-term basis to meet essential water needs. For emergency
water shortage conditions associated with contamination of Lake Texana supplies,
the City, under the City Manager's direction, will cease pumping from the Mary
Rhodes Pipeline.
(2) Best Management Practices for Supply Management:
(3)
In addition to the best management practices for supply management listed
under Stage 4, the City will also do the following:
• Call the 10 largest water customers in the area affected by the
emergency condition, and if necessary, use runners in key areas to
begin spreading the message of a major outage.
Water Use Restrictions for Demand Reduction:
During Stage 5, all requirements of Stage 2, 3, and 4 shall remain in effect
except as modified below:
a) Irrigation of landscaped areas is absolutely prohibited.
b) Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, or
other vehicle is absolutely prohibited.
c) Associated uses of water not related to business process which are
discretionary, such as equipment washing, shall be deferred until the
Stage 5 emergency has been terminated.
(4)During Stage 5, the following measures are optional water use restrictions that
may be implemented by the City Manager, or designee, with City Council
approval, as conditions warrant:
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For residential and multi -unit customers., a drought surcharge of up to and
including 100% of the total monthly water bill over the monthly allocation
may be added to the customers' bill to deter discretionary water use.
Sec. 55 -154. Surcharges for Drought Stages 3, 4 — 5 and Service Measures
(a) General
(1) The surcharges established herein are solely intended to regulate and deter the
use of water during a period of serious drought in order to achieve necessary
water conservation. The City Council expressly finds that the drought poses a
serious and immediate threat to the public and economic health and general
welfare of this community, and that the surcharges and other measures
adopted herein are essential to protect said public health and welfare.
(2) This section, and the surcharges and measures adopted herein are an exercise
of the City's regulatory and police power, and the surcharges and connection
fees are conservation rates intended to meet fixed costs as a result of lost
revenue.
(3) With City Council approval, the City Manager or designee is authorized to
determine trigger points and surcharges during Stages 3, 4 and 5 Emergency
Water Shortage conditions.
(4) In this section, institutional customer means city utility customer which
operates as a not -for -profit entity.
(5) A customer may appeal an allocation or drought surcharge triggering point
established under this Section to the Director of Water Operations or his
designee on grounds of unnecessary hardship through the process outlined in
Section 55 -155.
(6) Drought surcharge funds will first be applied towards annual debt service
payments and operating and maintenance expenses of the Water Department
as reflected in the City operating budget to offset revenue loss due to drought
conditions. Additional funds will be reported to City Council for City Council
direction.
(b) Residential water customers, who are not billed through a master water meter.
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1. A monthly base amount of 3,000 gallons shall be established as a trigger point
for each customer. Water consumption up to and including this amount will
not include a drought surcharge
2. Above the 3,000 gallon monthly consumption trigger point, with City Council
approval, a drought surcharge shall be added up to and including 100% of the
customer's total monthly water bill over the allocation.
(c) Residential customers who are billed from a master water meter.
1. Once Stage 2 condition has been declared, property managers of multi - tenant units
shall notify the City Director of Water Operations of number of residential units in
their facility for determination of allocations. Until so notified, the City shall
calculate the allocation based on two residential units per master water meter. A
monthly base amount of 3,000 gallons shall be established as a trigger point for each
residential unit.
2. When consumption for the month is less than or equal to 3,000 gallons times the
number of residential units, there will be no surcharge.
3. With City Council approval, when consumption is above the 3,000 gallons times the
number of units, a drought surcharge shall be added up to and including 100% of the
customer's total monthly water bill over the allocation.
(d) Commercial or institutional customer
(1) A monthly water usage allocation shall be established by the City
Manager or designee for each commercial or institutional customer.
(2) Method of establishing allocation:
a. When the combined reservoir capacity is less than 20% of total
capacity (Stage 4), the commercial or institutional customer's
allocation shall be 90 percent of the customer's usage for the
corresponding month's billing period during the previous 12 months
prior to the implementation of Stage 2 condition.
b. If the customer's billing history is shorter than 12 months, the monthly
average for the period for which there is a record shall be used for any
monthly period for which no history exists.
c. Provided, however, a customer, 90 percent of whose monthly usage is
less than 6,000 gallons, shall be allocated 6,000 gallons.
d. The City Manager shall give best effort to see that notice of each
commercial or institutional customer's allocation is mailed to such
customer.
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e. If, however, the customer does not receive such notice, it shall be the
customer's responsibility to contact the City' Utilities Billing Office to
determine the allocation, and the allocation shall be fully effective
notwithstanding lack of receipt of written notice.
f. Upon request of the customer or at the initiative of the City Manager,
the allocation may be reduced or increased by the City Manager,
1. if one nonresidential customer agrees to transfer part of its
allocation to another nonresidential customer, or
2. if other objective evidence demonstrates that the designated
allocation is inaccurate under present conditions.
(e) Industrial customers, who use water for processing.
(1) A monthly water usage allocation shall be established by the City Manager or
designee for each an industrial customer, which uses water for processing (e.g.,
an industrial customer).
(2) Method of establishing allocation. I
a. When the combined reservoir capacity of Choke Qanyon Reservoir
and Lake Corpus Christi is less than 20% of total capacity (Stage 4)1
the industrial customer allocation shall be 90 percent of the customer's
usage for the corresponding month's billing period during the previous
12 months prior to the implementation of Stage 2 condition.
b. If the customer's billing history is shorter than 12 months, the monthly
allocation shall be 1/12 of 90% of the customer's maximum annual
contracted amount until 12 months of billing history are established.
However if the industrial customer does not have a water contract and
does not have at least 12 months of billing history, then the new
industrial customer will provide data regarding expected water use and
City will determine allocation based on 90% of expected use to
determine initial allocation until 12 months of billing history are
established.
c. The City Manager shall give his best effort to see that (notice of each
industrial customer's allocation is mailed to such customer.
d. If, however, the industrial customer does not receive such notice, it
shall be the customer's responsibility to contact the City Utilities
Billing Office to determine the allocation, and the allocation shall be
fully effective notwithstanding lack of receipt of written notice.
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e. Upon request of the industrial customer or at the initiative of the City
Manager, the allocation may be reduced or increased by the City
Manager, if:
1. The designated period does not accurately reflect the customer's
normal water usage because customer had to shut down a
major processing unit for overhaul during the period.
2. The customer has added or is in the process of adding significant
additional processing capacity.
3. The customer has shut down or significantly reduced the
production of a major processing unit.
4. The customer has previously implemented significant
permanent water conservation measures.
5. The customer agrees to transfer part of its allocation to another
industrial customer.
6. Other objective evidence demonstrates that the designated
allocation is inaccurate under present conditions.
(0 Commercial. institutional, and industrial customers shall pay the following drought
surcharges:
(1) Customers whose allocation is 6,000 gallons through 20,000 gallons per
month:
a. $5.00 per 1,000 gallons for the first 1,000 gallons over allocation.
b. $5.00 per 1,000 gallons for the second 1,000 gallons over allocation.
c. $16.00 per 1,000 gallons for the third 1,000 gallons over allocation.
d. $40.00 for each additional 1,000 gallons over allocation.
(2) Customers whose allocation is 21,000 gallons per month or more:
a. One times the block rate for each 1,000 gallons in excess of the
allocation up through 5 percent above allocation.
b. Three times the block rate for each 1,000 gallons from 5 percent
through 10 percent above allocation.
c. Five times the block rate for each 1,000 gallons from 10 percent
through 15 percent above allocation.
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d. Ten times the block rate for each 1,000 gallons more than 15 percent
above allocation.
e. The surcharges shall be cumulative.
f. As used herein, "block rate" means the charge to the customer per 1,000
gallons at the regular water rate schedule at the level of the customer's
allocation.
(g) Nonresidential customer is billed from a master meter.
(1) When a nonresidential customer is billed from a master meter which jointly
measures water to multiple residential dwelling units (for example: apartments
mobile homes), the customer may pass along any surcharges assessed under
this plan to the tenants or occupants, provided that:
a. The customer notifies each tenant in writing:
1. That the surcharge will be passed along.
2. How the surcharge will be apportioned.
3. That the landlord must be notified immediately of any plumbing
leaks.
4. Methods to conserve water (which shall be obtained from the City).
b. The customer diligently maintains the plumbing system to prevent
leaks.
c. The customer installs water saving devices and measures (ideas for
which are available from the City) to the extent reasonable and practical
under the circumstances.
(h) Water service to the customer may be terminated under the following conditions:
(1) Monthly residential water usage exceeds allocation by 4,000 gallons or more
two or more times (which need not be consecutive months).
(2) Monthly water usage on a master meter which jointly measures water usage
to multiple residential dwelling units exceeds allocation by 4,000 gallons times
the number of dwelling units or more two or more times (which need not be
consecutive months).
(3) Monthly nonresidential water usage for a customer whose allocation is 6,000
gallons through 20,000 gallons exceeds its allocation by 7,000 gallons or more
two or more times (which need not be consecutive months).
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(4) Monthly nonresidential water usage for a customer whose allocation is 21,000
gallons or more exceeds its allocation by 15 percent or more two or more times
(which need not be consecutive months).
(5) For residential customers and nonresidential customers whose allocation does
not exceed 20,000 gallons, after the first disconnection water service shall be
restored upon request for a fee of $50.
(6) For such customers, after the second disconnection, water service shall be
restored within 24 hours of the request for a fee of $500.
(7) If water service is disconnected a third time for such customer, water service
(8) shall not be restored until the City re- enters a level of water conservation less
than Stage 3.For master meter customers, the service restoration fees shall be
the same as above times the number of dwelling units.
(9) For nonresidential customers whose allocation is 21,000 gallons per month or
more:
a. After the first disconnection, water service shall be restored upon request
for a fee in the amount of "X" in the following formula:
X = $ 50 x Customer's Allocation in gallons / 20,000 gallons
b. After the second disconnection for said customers, water service shall be
restored within 24 hours of the request for a fee of 10 times "X ".
c. If water service is disconnected a third time for such customer, water
service shall not be restored until the City re- enters a level of water
conservation less than Stage 3.
d. The City Manager is directed to institute written guidelines for
disconnection of water service under this provision, which will satisfy
minimum due process requirements, if any.
It shall be a defense to imposition of a surcharge hereunder, or to termination of
service, that water used over allocation resulted from loss of water through no fault of
the customer (for example, a major water line break) for the following conditions:
1. The customer shall have the burden to prove such defense by objective
evidence (for example, a written certification of the circumstances by a
plumber).
2. A sworn statement may be required of the customer.
3. This defense shall not apply if the customer failed to take reasonable steps for
upkeep of the plumbing system, failed to reasonably inspect the system and
discover the leak, failed to take immediate steps to correct the leak after
discovered, or was in any other way negligent in causing or permitting the loss
of water.
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(j) When this section refers to allocation or water usage periods as "month," monthly,"
"billing period," and the like, such references shall mean the period in the City's
ordinary billing cycle which commences with the reading of a meter one month and
commences with the next reading of that meter which is usually the next month.
(1) The goal for the length of such period is 30 days, but a variance of two days,
more or less, will necessarily exist as to particular meters.
(2) If the meter reader system is prevented from timely reading a meter by any
obstacle which is attributable to the customer, the original allocation shall apply
to the longer period without modification.
Sec. 55 -155. Requests for exemptions and variances.
(a) The Director of Water Operations or his designee, may, in writing, grant a temporary
variance to any of the provisions for water users found in this Article XII upon
determination that failure to grant such variance would cause an emergency condition
adversely affecting the public health, sanitation, or fire protection for the public or person
requesting such a variance.
(b) A person requesting an exemption or variance from the provisions of this Ordinance shall
file request on City - provided application for exemption/variance with the City Water
Department within 5 days after a particular drought response stage has been invoked. All
request forms shall be reviewed by the Director of Water Operations or his designee, and
shall include the following:
1. Name and address of the water user(s).
2. Purpose of water use.
3. Specific provision(s) of the Ordinance from which the water user is requesting relief.
4. Detailed statement as to how the specific provision of the Ordinance adversely affects the
water user or what damage or harm will occur to the water user or others if water user
complies with this Plan.
5. Description of the exemption or variance requested
6. Period of time for which the exemption or variance is sought.
7. Alternative water use restrictions or other measures the water user is taking or proposes
to take to meet the intent of this Plan and the compliance date.
$. Other pertinent information; or as required on permit application
( c) No exemption nor variance shall be retroactive or otherwise justify any violation of this
ordinance occurring prior to the issuance of the exemption/variance.
18
(d) All requests for variances /exemptions shall be reviewed and determined within three
business days of receipt of complete application.
(e) The Director of Water Operations or his designee shall consider requests of water users
for special consideration to be given as to their respective particular circumstances and is
hereby authorized to, in special cases, grant such variance from the terms of this plan if such
compliance would cause an emergency condition adversely affecting the public health,
sanitation, or fire protection for the public or person requesting such a variance as will not be
contrary to the public interest, where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement of
the provisions of this plan will result in unnecessary hardship, and so that the spirit of this
plan shall be observed and substantial justice done.
(f) Should a permit for special exception be granted, it shall be in effect from the time of
granting through the termination of the then current stage, unless revoked by the Director of
Water Operations for noncompliance; provided, that the permit is prominently posted on the
premises within two (2) feet of the street number located on the premises.
(g) A person denied request for permit or exception from these rules may appeal the decision
to the Assistant City Manager for Public Works, Utilities and Transportation by submitting
written request for appeal to the Assistant City Manager within five business days from
issuance of denial. The decision of the Assistant City Manager shall be fmal.
(h) Violations of any permit condition may be enforced under Section 55 -156.
Sec. 55 -156 Violations, penalties, and Enforcement
(a) A violation under this article is a Class C misdemeanor. Any person that violates any
provision of this article shall be subject to a fine of not more than five hundred dollars
($500.00) per violation per day. The culpable mental state required by Section 6.02 of the
Texas Penal Code is s ecificall ne ated and dis ensed with and a violation of this article
is a strict liability offense.
fb) The commission of a violation of each provision, and each separate violation thereof,
shall be deemed a separate offense, in and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined as
hereinabove provided.
(c) If any person or a second person in the same household or premises, is found guilty
of a second violation of this article, the water superintendent shall be authorized to
discontinue water service to the premises where such violation occurs.
(d) Cases filed under this section shall be expedited and given preferential setting in
municipal court before all other cases.
(e) Any person whose name is on file with the utilities billing office as the customer on
the water account for the property where the violation occurs or originates shall be
presumed to be the violator, and proof that the violation occurred on said premises shall
19
constitute prima facie evidence that the customer committed the violation, but said
customer shall have the right to show that he did not commit the violation.
(f) If any person fails to respond to a citation or summons issued for a violation of this
article within the time allowed, upon receipt of notice from the director or a judge of the
municipal courts, the water superintendent is authorized to discontinue water service to
the premises where such violation occurs.
Sec. 55 -157 Effluent distribution; permit and regulations
Sec. 55 -158. - Operations plan for reservoir system.
To maximize the amount of water reliably available to the city and its water customers, the city
manager shall operate the Lake Corpus Christi/Choke Canyon Reservoir System as follows:
(1) A minimum of two thousand (2,000) acre -feet per month will be released from Choke
Canyon Reservoir to meet conditions of the release agreement between the City of Corpus
Christi and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
(2) In order to provide maximum dependable yield from the two (2) reservoirs, the water
level in Lake Corpus Christi will be allowed to drop to elevation seventy -four (742 feet
before water is released from Choke Canyon Reservoir in excess of the two thousand
(2,000) acre -feet per month requirement.
(3) Under the Agreed Order of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
under Certificate of Adjudication No. 21 -3214, City shall (1) reduce targeted inflows of
water to Nueces Bay to 1200 acre feet when reservoir system storage falls below forty (40)
per cent of capacity, and (2) suspend targeted inflows when reservoir system storage falls
below thirty (30) per cent of capacity.
Sec. 55 -159. Procedures for allocating water to raw water and wholesale treated water
customers on a pro rata basis during a water shortage.
(a) In the event that the triggering criterion specified in Section 55 -152 for Stage 3 have been
met, the City Manager, or designee, is hereby authorized to initiate allocation preparations of
water supplies on a pro rata basis to raw water and wholesale treated water customers in
accordance with Texas Water Code §11.039.
(1) A raw water or wholesale treated water customer's monthly allocation shall be a
percentage of the customer's water usage baseline. The percentage will be set by
20
resolution of the city council based on the city manager's assessment of the severity of the
water shortage condition and the need to curtail water diversions and deliveries, and may
be adjusted periodically by resolution of the city council as conditions warrant. Once pro
rata allocation is in effect, water diversions by or deliveries to each raw water or
wholesale treated water customer shall be limited to the allocation established for each
month.
(2)A monthly water usage allocation shall be established by the City Manager, or the City
Manager's designee, for each raw water or wholesale treated water customer. The raw
water or wholesale treated water customer's water usage baseline will be computed on the
average water usage by month for the previous five -year period. If the raw water or
wholesale treated water customer's billing history is less than five (5) years, the monthly
average for the period for which there is a record shall be used for any monthly period for
which no billing history exists.
(3)The City Manager shall provide notice, by certified mail, to each raw water or
wholesale treated water customer informing them of their monthly water usage
allocations and shall notify the news media and the Executive Director of the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality upon initiation of pro rata water allocation.
(4)Upon request of the raw water or wholesale treated water customer or at the initiative
of the City Manager, the allocation may be reduced or increased if:
a. The designated period does not accurately reflect the raw water or wholesale
treated water customer's normal water usage;
b. The customer agrees to transfer part of its allocation to another raw water or
wholesale treated water customer; or
c. Other objective evidence demonstrates that the designated allocation is inaccurate
under present conditions. A customer may appeal an allocation established under this
section to the City Council of the City of Corpus Christi.
(b) Pro Rata Surcharges and Enforcement
(1) During any period when pro rata allocation of available water supplies is in effect, wholesale
customers shall pay the following surcharges on excess water diversions:
a. 2.0 times the normal water charge per unit for water diversions and /or deliveries in excess
of the monthly allocation up through 5 percent above the monthly allocation.
b. 2.5 times the normal water charge per unit for water diversions and/or deliveries in excess
of the monthly allocation from 5 percent through 10 percent above the monthly allocation.
21
c. 3.0 times the normal water charge per unit for water diversions and/or deliveries in excess
of the monthly allocation from 10 percent through 15 percent above the monthly allocation.
d. 3.5 times the normal water charge per unit for water diversions and/or deliveries more
than 15 percent above the monthly allocation.
(c) Variances.
(1) The city manager, or the City Manager's designee, may, in writing, grant a temporary
variance to the pro rata water allocation policies provided by this section if it is determined
that failure to grant such variance would cause an emergency condition adversely affecting
the public health, welfare, or safety, and if one (1) or more of the following conditions are
met:
a. Compliance cannot be technically accomplished during the duration of the water
supply shortage or other condition for which the plan is in effect.
b. Alternative methods can be implemented which will achieve the same level of
reduction in water use.
(2) Raw water or wholesale treated water customers requesting an exemption from the
provisions of this section shall file a petition for variance with the City Manager within five
(5) days after pro rata allocation has been invoked.
(3) All petitions for variances shall be reviewed by the City Council, and shall include the
following:
a. Name and address of the petitioner(s).
b. Detailed statement with supporting data and information as to how the pro rata
allocation of water under the policies and procedures established in this section
adversely affects the petitioner or what damage or harm will occur to the petitioner or
others if petitioner complies with this section.
c. Description of the relief requested.
d. Period of time for which the variance is sought.
e. Alternative measures the petitioner is taking or proposes to take to meet the intent
of this section and the compliance date.
f. Other pertinent information.
(4) Variances granted by the City Council shall be subject to the following conditions,
unless waived or modified by the City Council.
a. Variances granted shall include a timetable for compliance.
22
b. Variances granted shall expire when the pro -rata allocation of water to raw water
or wholesale treated water customers is no longer m effect, unless the petitioner has
failed to meet specified requirements.
c. No variance shall be retroactive or otherwise justify any violation of this section
occurring prior to the issuance of the variance.
(d) Contractual remedies not affected. Nothing in this section supersedes any remedies
available to the City under any contract with a raw water or wholesale treated water customer
due to the customer's failure to adopt or impose water conservation measures required by the
contract.
23
Section 4. This ordinance takes effect on June 3, 2013.
Section 5. Severability
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City that the sections, paragraphs, sentences,
clauses, and phrases of this Ordinance are severable and, if any phrase, clause, sentence,
paragraph, or section of this Ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional by the valid judgment
or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such declaration shall not affect any of the
remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs, and sections of this Ordinance, since the same
would not have been enacted by the City without the incorporation into this Ordinance of any
such unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, or section.
Section 6.
The change in law made by this Ordinance applies only to an offense committed on or after the
effective date of this Ordinance. An offense committed before the effective date of this
Ordinance is governed by the Ordinance in effect when the offense was committed, and the
former Ordinance is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense
was committed before the effective date of this Ordinance if any element of the offense occurred
before that date.
24
That the ,going ordinance was read for the first time and passed to its second reading on this
the I [..My of jj t 420j3by the following vote:
1. 1k.'
Nelda Martinez
Kelley Allen
Rudy Garza
Priscilla Leal
David Loeb
Chad Magill
Colleen McIntyre
Lillian Riojas
Mark Scott
1
That the f,oTegoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed finally on this the
day of V U\ ` , 1 J , by the following vote:
J
Nelda Martinez
Kelley Allen
Rudy Garza
Priscilla Leal
David Loeb
PASSED AND APPROVED, this the
ATTEST:
Chad Magill
Colleen McIntyre
Lillian Riojas
Mark Scott
day of
Armando Chapa - Nelda Martinez
City Secretary Mayor
Jag
Drought Contingency Plan
2013
City of Corpus Christi, Texas
Cover photo by Fred Pena
Table of Contents
1. Introduction 1
2. Declaration of Policy, Purpose, and Intent 1
3. Public Education 2
4. Coordination with Regional Water Planning Groups 2
5. Authorization 2
6. Application 3
7. Definitions 3
8. Criteria for Initiation and Termination of Drought Response Stages 4
8.1 Stage 1— Mild Water Shortage Condition 5
8.2 Stage 2 — Moderate Water Shortage Condition 5
8.3 Stage 3 — Severe Water Shortage Condition 5
8.4 Stage 4 — Critical Water Shortage Condition 5
8.4 Stage 5 — Emergency Water Shortage Condition 6
9. Drought Stages Response Notification 6
10. Drought Stage Best Management Practices and Restrictions 7
10.1. Stage 1— Mild Water Shortage Conditions 7
10.2. Stage 2 — Moderate Water Shortage Conditions 8
10.3. Stage 3 — Severe Water Shortage Conditions 9
10.4. Stage 4— Critical Water Shortage Conditions 10
10.5. Stage 5 — Emergency Water Shortage Conditions 11
11. Surcharges for Drought Stages 4 -5 and Service Measures 12
12. Allocation and Review Committee: establishment, composition, powers, and duties 18
13. Enforcement 20
14. Variances 20
15. Severability 21
16. Wholesale Drought Contingency Plan 21
16.1 Declaration of Policy, Purpose and Intent 21
16.2 Public and Wholesale Customer Involvement 21
16.3 Wholesale Customer Education 21
16.4 Coordination with Regional Planning Groups 21
16.5 Authorization 22
16.6 Application 22
16.7 Triggering Criteria or Initiation and Termination of Drought Response Stages 22
16.8 Drought Response Stages 24
16.9 Pro Rata Water Allocation 27
Table of Contents l
16.10 Pro Rata Surcharges and Enforcement 28
16.11 Variances 29
16.12 Severability 30
16.13 Reservation System Operating Plan 30
Appendices
TCEQ 2001 Agreed Order on Freshwater Inflows to the Nueces Bay and Estuary 31
Reservoir Operating Plan 42
Table of Contents li
Drought Contingency Plan
1. Introduction
This document is the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) for the City of Corpus Christi (City). This
DCP was created so that the City can cut back demand when supplies are low so the residents
have enough water to make it through a drought. This DCP clearly explains the triggers initiated
by a drought and the steps to be taken during each stage of a drought.
There is also information in this DCP which explains the steps to be taken in a water
emergency, such as when supplies are cut off or contaminated.
This DCP is different from the Water Conservation Plan (WCP) because it only takes effect
when there are drought conditions. The WCP is a year -round guide, regardless of the drought
conditions, and contains several regular best management practices.
The DCP has been prepared in accordance with Texas Administrative Code Title 30 Chapter
288 Subchapter B Rule §288.20 for Municipal Uses by Public Water Suppliers. Since the City
serves wholesale water customers, a Drought Contingency Plan for Wholesale Water Suppliers
has also been included in Section 16 in accordance with Texas Administrative Code Title 30
Chapter 288 Subchapter B Rule §288.22.
2. Declaration of Policy and Reason
In order to conserve the available water supply, to protect the integrity of water supply facilities
with particular regard for domestic water use, sanitation, and fire protection, to protect and
preserve public health, welfare, and safety, and to minimize the adverse impacts of water -
supply shortage or other water - supply emergency conditions, the City hereby adopts the
following regulations and restrictions on the delivery and consumptions of water. The Water
Resource Management Ordinance which gives the City the authority to regulate and enforce
this DCP is included as a supporting document.
Water uses regulated or prohibited under this DCP are considered to be non- essential, and
continuation of such uses during times of water shortage or other emergency water - supply
conditions are deemed to constitute a waste of water, which subjects the offender(s) to
penalties as defined in Section 13 of this DCP.
Since the City first started supplying its residents with water in the 1890s, the region has
experienced several periods of drought. Over the years, supplies have been added and
conservation measures have been strengthened to ensure water security for the residents and
businesses of the region. However, with the variability of weather patterns in South Texas and a
continually growing population, it is critical that the City plans for future drought conditions.
Currently, the City's water supply system is comprised of three reservoirs: Lake Corpus Christi,
Choke Canyon Reservoir and Lake Texana. However, the criteria to trigger drought response
stages are based on the combined capacity of Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon
1
Reservoir. (See Section 8). Since Choke Canyon Reservoir filled in June 1987, the combined
storage of Choke Canyon Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi has exceeded 60% capacity only
about 62% of the time. The water storage levels in Choke Canyon Reservoir and Lake Corpus
Christi have generally been 2 -4% higher since Lake Texana supplies were added in October
1998.
Even with three reservoirs, the City still faces drought conditions ( <50% storage levels) 16% of
the time. It is because of this frequency that the following DCP has been developed. This DCP
adopts measures that will dramatically cut water consumption in order to conserve water
supplies.
3. Public Education
A public meeting to receive comments on the DCP was held on April 17, 2013.
The City will periodically provide the public with information about the DCP, including
information about the conditions under which each stage of the DCP is to be initiated or
terminated, and the drought response measures to be implemented in each stage. This
information will be provided by utility bill inserts, notices in the Corpus Christi Caller- Times, and
notice on the City's website (www.cctexas.com).
Notification to the public about when drought stages go into effect or when restrictions are lifted
is explained in more detail in Section 9.
4. Coordination with Regional Water Planning Groups
The service area of the City of Corpus Christi is located within the Coastal Bend Regional Water
Planning Area (Region N) and the City has provided a copy of this DCP to Region N in care of
the Nueces River Authority.
The City of Corpus Christi shall review and update, as appropriate, the DCP at least every five
years based on new or updated information, such as the adoption or revision of the regional
water plan.
A presentation on the 2013 DCP revisions was made the Region N Water Planning Group on
March 7, 2013. Minutes from the meetings will be available at http://www.nueces -
ra.oro /CP /RWPG /minutes /index.php after the June 13, 2013 meeting.
5. Authorization
The City Manager, or designee, is hereby authorized and directed to implement the applicable
provisions of the DCP upon determination that such implementation is necessary to protect
2
public health, safety, and welfare. The City Manager, or designee, shall have the authority to
initiate or terminate drought or other water supply emergency responses as described in this
DCP. However, the City Manager, in the exercise of the City Manager's discretion, may initiate
or terminate any stage when the City Manager deems necessary at any particular time. The City
Manager shall notify the members of the City Council before implementing any measures.
6. Application
The provisions of this DCP shall apply to all persons, customers, and property utilizing water
provided by the City of Corpus Christi. The terms "person" and "customer" as used in the DCP
include individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, and all other legal entities.
7. Definitions
For the purposes of this Chapter in this DCP, the following definitions shall apply:
Aesthetic water use: water use for ornamental or decorative purposes such as fountains,
reflecting pools, and water gardens.
Commercial and institutional water use: water use which is integral to the operations of
commercial, non - profit establishments and governmental entities such as retail establishments,
hotels and motels, restaurants, and office buildings.
Conservation: those practices, techniques, and technologies that reduce the consumption of
water, reduce loss or waste of water, improve the efficiency in the use of water, or increase the
recycling and reuse of water so that a supply is conserved and made available for future or
alternative uses.
Contract (end -user) water customers: a private entity that has a contract with the City to receive
raw or treated water supplies for its sole use (Le. does not resell to other users).
Wholesale customers: any public or private utility that has a contract with the City to receive
raw or treated water supplies and authority (through contracts) to resell this water to other
users.
Customer: any person, company, or organization using water supplied by the City of Corpus
Christi and paying a retail water bill.
Domestic water use: water use for personal needs or for household or sanitary purposes such
as drinking, bathing, heating, cooking, sanitation, or for cleaning a residence, business, industry,
or institution.
Industrial water use: the use of water in processes designed to convert materials of lower value
into forms having greater usability and use.
3
Institutional water use: the use of water by an establishment dedicated to public service, such
as a school, university, church, hospital, nursing home, prison, or government facility. All
facilities dedicated to public service are considered institutional regardless of ownership.
Landscape irrigation use: water used for the irrigation and maintenance of landscaped areas,
whether publicly or privately owned, including residential and commercial lawns, gardens, golf
courses, parks, rights -of -way, and medians.
Non - essential water use: water uses that are not essential or not required for the protection of
public, health, safety, and welfare, including:
• irrigation of landscape areas, including parks, athletic fields, and golf courses, except as
otherwise provided under this Plan;
• use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other
vehicle;
• use of water to wash down any impervious cover including sidewalks, walkways,
driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard - surfaced areas;
• use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire
protection or health reasons;
• flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street;
• use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools or jacuzzi -type
pools;
• use of water in an aesthetic feature including fountain or pond except where necessary
to support aquatic life;
• failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given
notice directing the repair of such leak; and
• use of water from hydrants for construction purposes or any other purposes other than
fire fighting or flushing needed to maintain chlorination levels and protect public health.
8. Criteria for Initiation and Termination of Drought Response Stages
The City Manager, or designee, shall monitor water supply and/or demand conditions on a
weekly basis and shall determine when conditions warrant initiation or termination of each stage
of the DCP, that is, when the specified "triggers" are reached. This section explains the triggers
of each stage. Best management practices and water use restrictions for each drought stage
are described in Section 10.
The triggering criterions in this section are minimum standards for initiation and maximum
standards for termination, and the City Manager, or designee, can initiate or terminate each
stage when conditions warrant. The triggering criterion to be monitored for determining drought
response stages is (1) the combined reservoir storage levels of Choke Canyon Reservoir and
Lake Corpus Christi, based on the TCEQ 2001 Agreed Order (amended April 17, 2001) relating
to inflows into Nueces Bay and Estuary or (2), in the alternative for Stage 1, Lake Texana's
level. See Appendix A.
4
8.1. Stage 1 — Mild Water Shortage Condition
Requirements for initiation — Customers shall be requested to voluntarily conserve
water and adhere to prescribed restrictions on certain water used when the
combined storage level of Choke Canyon Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi
declines below 50 percent or Lake Texana storage level declines below 40 %.
Requirement for termination — Stage 1 of the Plan may be rescinded when the
combined storage level of Choke Canyon Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi
increases above 60 percent or Lake Texana storage level increases above 50 %.
Either of these conditions must exist for a period of 15 consecutive days before
termination of Stage 1.
8.2. Stage 2 — Moderate Water Shortage Condition
Requirements for initiation — Customers shall be required to comply with the
requirements and restrictions on certain non - essential water uses described in
Section 10 when the combined storage level declines to below 40 percent.
Requirement for termination — Stage 2 of the Plan may be rescinded when the
combined storage level increases above 50 percent for a period of 15 consecutive
days. Upon termination of Stage 2, Stage 1 becomes operative.
8.3. Stage 3 — Severe Water Shortage Condition
Requirements for initiation — Customers shall be required to comply with the
requirements and restrictions on certain non - essential water uses for Stage 3 of this
DCP when the combined storage levels declines to below 30 percent.
Requirement for termination — Stage 3 of the Plan may be rescinded when the
combined storage level increases above 40 percent for a period of 15 consecutive
days. Upon termination of Stage 3, Stage 2 becomes operative.
8.4. Stage 4 — Critical Water Shortage Condition
Requirements for initiation — Customers shall be required to comply with the
requirements and restrictions on certain non- essential water uses for Stage 4 of the
Plan when the combined storage levels declines to below 20 percent.
Requirement for termination — Stage 4 of the Plan may be rescinded when the
combined storage level increases above 30 percent for a period of 15 consecutive
days. Upon termination of Stage 4, Stage 3 becomes operative.
5
8.5. Stage 5 — Emergency Water Shortage Condition
Requirements for initiation — Customers shall be required to comply with
requirements and restrictions for Stage 5 of this Plan when the City Manager, or
designee, determines that a water supply emergency exists based on:
• A major water line breaks, or pump or system failures occur, which causes
unprecedented loss of capability to provide water service; or
• Water production or distribution system limitations; or
• Natural or man -made contamination of the water supply source occurs.
Requirement for termination — The emergency water shortage condition may be
rescinded when the City Manager, or designee, deems appropriate.
9. Drought Stages Response Notification
The City Manager, or designee, shall monitor water supply and/or demand conditions on a
weekly basis and, in accordance with the triggering criteria set forth in Section 8 of this Chapter,
shall determine that a mild, moderate, severe, critical, or emergency water shortage condition
exists and shall implement the following notification procedures.
Notification of the Public:
The City Manager, or designee, shall notify the public for every change in drought stage status
by any or all of the following:
• City's website (www.cctexas.com)
• Publication in the Corpus Christi Caller -Times
• Notice on the monthly billing
• Public Service Announcements
• Signs posted in public places
Additional Notification:
The City Manager, or designee shall, at a minimum, notify directly, or cause to be notified
directly, the following individuals and entities for every change in drought stage status:
• Mayor and members of the City Council
• Fire Chief
• City and/or County Emergency Management Coordinator
• County Judge and Commissioner(s)
• Major water users (such as industries)
• Critical water users (such as hospitals)
• Parks /street superintendents and public facilities managers
6
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) — note TCEQ executive director
MUST be informed within five (5) business days of mandatory water use restrictions
being imposed
10. Drought Best Management Practices Per Stage
A summary of water use reduction targets for each drought stage response is presented in the
following table. Further discussion on best management practices and implementation
practices associated with each stage of response is included below. During Stages 2, 3, and 4,
requests for exceptions may be presented to the Water Allocation and Review Committee.
Drought Stage
Response
CCRILCC Combined
Reservoir Storage Level
Target Demand
Reduction Levels
Stage 1 -Mild
<50% or if Lake Texana is
<40%
5%
Stage 2- Moderate
<40%
10%
Stage 3- Severe
<30%
15%
Stage 4- Critical
<20%
30%
Stage 5- Emergency
Not Applicable
50%
10.1. Stage 1 Response — MILD Water Shortage Conditions
Target: Achieve a voluntary 5% reduction in daily treated water demand relative to
treated water demand with the water use restrictions below.
Best Management Practices for Supply Management:
The City will enact voluntary measures to reduce or discontinue the flushing of water
mains if practicable and utilize reclaimed water for non - potable uses to the greatest
extent possible. The City will prioritize sources of supply not impacted by drought
conditions, when available, including interruptible supplies from Lake Texana during
times when Lake Texana water level is at or above 43 feet mean sea level in
accordance with Lavaca - Navidad River Authority (LNRA) contract.
Water Use Restrictions for Reducing Demand
(a) Water customers are requested to voluntarily limit the irrigation of landscaped
areas to once per week. The City Manager, or designee, will determine the
watering schedule.
(b) All operations of the City of Corpus Christi shall adhere to water use restrictions
prescribed for Stage 2 of the Plan.
(c) Water customers are requested to practice water conservation and to minimize or
discontinue water use for non - essential purposes.
7
10.2. Stage 2 Response — MODERATE Water Shortage Conditions
Target: During Stage 2, achieve a 10% reduction in daily treated water demand
relative to treated water demand with the water use restrictions below.
Best Management Practices for Supply Management:
In addition to the best management practices for supply management listed under
Stage 1, the City will also do the following during Stage 2:
• Use more repair crews if necessary to allow for a quicker response time for
water -line leak repair; and
• City crews (Water and other departments) begin monitoring customers'
compliance with Stage 2 restrictions during the course of their daily rounds.
Water Use Restrictions for Demand Reduction
Under threat of penalty for violation, the following water use restrictions shall apply to
all persons during Stage 2:
a) Irrigation of Landscaped areas with hose -end sprinklers or automatic irrigation
systems shall be limited to once per week. The watering schedule will be
determined by the City Manager or designee. Customers will be made aware of
their designated watering day in accordance with Section 9. However, irrigation of
landscaped areas is permitted on any day if it is by means of a hand -held hose
(with positive shutoff nozzle), a faucet filled bucket or watering can of five (5)
gallons or less, or drip irrigation system with a positive shutoff device. Exceptions
for this restriction may be permitted, upon review and approval by the Water
Allocation and Review Committee, for the following uses: new plantings (for up to
60 days), vegetable gardens, athletic playing fields, and botanical gardens. In
addition, this restriction does not apply to customers irrigating with well water or
an aerobic septic system. Customers irrigating with well water or an aerobic
septic system must apply for a permit from the City Water Department to be
prominently posted on the premises within two (2) feet of the street number
located on the premises.
b) Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, or other vehicle is
prohibited except on designated watering days. However, washing of boats and/or
flushing of boat motors is permitted upon immediate exit of water body. Such
washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand -held bucket or a hand -held
hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rinses. Vehicle washing
may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash.
Further, such washing may be exempted from these regulations upon review by
the Water Allocation and Review Committee if the health, safety, and welfare of
the public are contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such as garbage trucks
and vehicles used to transport food and perishables. Washing of boats and/or
flushing of boat motors is permitted upon immediate exit of water body.
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c) Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading
pools, or Jacuzzi -type pools is prohibited except on designated watering days.
d) Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is
prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life.
e) Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting, related activities, or
other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare, except
that use of water from designated fire hydrants for construction purposes may be
allowed under special permit from the City of Corpus Christi Water Department.
f) Use of water for the irrigation of golf course greens, tees, and fairways is
prohibited except on designated watering days. However, if the golf course utilizes
a water source other than that provided through City of Corpus Christi Water
Department infrastructure, the facility shall not be subject to these regulations.
g) The use of water to maintain integrity of building foundations is limited to
designated watering days and is only permitted by use of hand -held hose or drip
irrigation.
h) The following uses of water are defined as non - essential and are prohibited:
a. Wash -down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis
courts, or other hard - surfaced areas;
b. Use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than
immediate fire protection without permit granted by the Water Allocation
and Review Committee;
c. Use of water for dust control without permit without permit granted by the
Water Allocation and Review Committee;
10.3. Stage 3 Response — SEVERE Water Shortage Conditions
Target: During Stage 3, achieve a 15% reduction in total daily treated water demand
relative to treated water demand with the water use restrictions below.
Best Management Practices for Supply Management:
In addition to the best management practices for supply management listed under
Stage 2, the City will also do the following during Stage 3:
• Eliminate the flushing of water mains unless required for decontamination
and /or public safety; and
• Review customers' water usage for compliance based on the previous
month's water use and notify violators verbally or in writing as the situation
dictates.
Water Use Restrictions for Demand Reduction:
All requirements of Stage 2 shall remain in effect during Stage 3 except as modified
below:
a) Irrigation of landscaped areas shall be limited to once every other week. The
watering schedule will be determined by the City Manager or designee.
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Customers will be made aware of their designated watering day. However,
irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted on any day if it is by means of a hand-
held hose (with positive shutoff nozzle), a faucet filled bucket or watering can of
five (5) gallons or Tess, or drip irrigation system with a positive shutoff device.
Exceptions for this restriction may be permitted, upon review and approval by the
Water Allocation and Review Committee, for the following uses: new plantings (for
up to 60 days), vegetable gardens, athletic playing fields, and botanical gardens.
In addition, this restriction does not apply to customers irrigating with well water or
an aerobic septic system. Customers irrigating with well water or an aerobic septic
system shall still apply for a permit from the City Water Department to be
prominently posted on the premises within two (2) feet of the street number
located on the premises.
b) The watering of golf course fairways is prohibited. The watering of greens and
tees are limited to once every other week unless the golf course utilizes a water
source other than that provided through City of Corpus Christi Water Department
infrastructure or done by means of hand -held hoses, hand -held buckets, or drip
irrigation.
Optional Measures
During Stage 3, the following measures are optional water use restrictions that may
be implemented by the City Manager, or designee as conditions warrant:
a) The use of water for construction purposes from designated fire hydrants
under special permit is to be discontinued.
b) For residential and multi -unit . customers, a drought surcharge of up to and
including 100% of the current water rate may be added to the customers' bill
to deter discretionary water use, as explained in Section 11.
10.4. Stage 4 Response — CRITICAL Water Shortage Conditions
Target: During Stage 4, achieve a 30% or greater reduction in daily treated water
demand relative to treated water demand with the water use restrictions below. An
additional surcharge will be added to each utility bill during Stage 4 water shortage
conditions to discourage discretionary water use, as described in Section 11 for retail
customers and Section 16.10 for wholesale customers.
Best Management Practices for Supply Management:
In addition to the best management practices for supply management listed under
Stage 3, the City will also do the following during Stage 4:
• Upon written notice, disconnect the water meters of willful violators if
absolutely necessary to prevent the deliberate wasting of water.
Water Use Restrictions for Demand Reduction:
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All requirements of Stage 2 and 3 shall remain in effect during Stage 4 except as
modified below:
a) Irrigation of landscaped areas shall be prohibited at all times.
b) Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other
vehicle not occurring on the premises of a commercial car wash stations and not
in the immediate interest of public health, safety, and welfare is prohibited.
c) The filling, refilling, or adding of water to swimming pools, wading pools, and
jacuzzi -type pools, and water parks (unless non -city, alternative source) is
prohibited.
d) The use of water to maintain the integrity of a building foundation is still permitted
on the designated Stage 3 watering day.
Optional Measure:
During Stage 4, the following measures are optional water use restrictions that may be
implemented by the City Manager, or designee, as conditions warrant:
a) No application for new, additional, expanded, or increased -in -size water service
connections, meters, service lines, pipeline extensions, mains, or water service
facilities of any kind shall be approved, and time limits for approval of such
applications are hereby suspended for such time as this drought response stage
shall be in effect.
b) For residential and multi -unit customers, a drought surcharge of up to and including
100% of the current water rate may be added to the customers' bill to deter
discretionary water use, as explained in Section 11.
10.5. Stage 5 Response — EMERGENCY Water Shortage Conditions
Target: During Stage 5, achieve a 50% or greater reduction in daily treated water
demand relative to treated water demand with the below water use restrictions.
Surcharges and reduced allocations are enforceable during Stage 5 water shortage
conditions, as described in Section 13.
During emergency conditions such as system outage or supply source contamination, or
supply sources draining empty, alternative water sources and/or alternative delivery
mechanisms may be necessary with prior approval of the City Manager. For
emergency water shortage conditions associated with contamination of Nueces Basin
stored supplies, the City, under the City Manager's direction, will cease pumping from
the Nueces River and will contact the LNRA to identify additional, temporary water that
may be available from Lake Texana on a short-term basis to meet essential water
needs. For emergency water shortage conditions associated with contamination of Lake
Texana supplies, the City, under the City Manager's direction, will cease pumping from
the Mary Rhodes Pipeline.
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Best Management Practices for Supply Management:
in addition to the best management practices for supply management listed under Stage
4, the City will also do the following:
• Cali the 10 largest water customers in the area affected by the emergency
condition, and if necessary, use runners in key areas to begin spreading the
message of a major outage.
Water Use Restrictions for Demand Reduction:
During Stage 5, all requirements of Stage 2, 3, and 4 shall remain in effect during Stage
5 except as modified below:
a) Irrigation of landscaped areas is absolutely prohibited.
b) Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other
vehicle is absolutely prohibited.
c) Associated uses of business process water shall, such as equipment washing,
shall be deferred until the Stage 5 emergency has been terminated.
Optional Measure:
During Stage 5, the following measure is an optional water use restriction that may be
implemented by the City Manager, or designee, as conditions warrant:
a) For residential and multi -unit customers, a drought surcharge of up to and including
100% of the current water rate may be added to the customers' bill to deter
discretionary water use, as explained in Section 11.
11. Surcharges for Drought Stages 3 — 5 and Service Measures
(a) General
1. The surcharges established herein are solely intended to regulate and deter
the use of water during a period of serious drought in order to achieve
necessary water conservation. The City Council expressly finds that the
drought poses a serious and immediate threat to the public and economic
health and general welfare of this community, and that the surcharges and
other measures adopted herein are essential to protect said public health and
welfare.
2. This section, and the surcharges and measures adopted herein are an
exercise of the City's regulatory and police power, and the surcharges and
connection fees are conservation rates intended to meet fixed costs as a
result of lost revenue.
3. The City Manager is authorized to determine trigger points and surcharges
during Stage 5 Emergency Water Shortage conditions.
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4. In this section, institutional customer means city utility customer which
operates as a not - for - profit entity.
(b) Residential water customers, who are not billed through a master water meter.
1. A monthly water usage trigger point shall be established by the City Manager
or designee for residential customers. This trigger point is the maximum
amount of water that a customer can use in a month before being charged a
drought rate surcharge.
2. The drought surcharge can be up to and including 100% of the most current
water rate.
3. The drought surcharge will be added to the most current rate at each block.
(c) Residential customers who are billed from a master water meter.
1. A monthly water usage trigger point shall be established by the City Manager
or designee for each customers. This trigger point is the maximum amount of
water that a customer can use in a month before being charged a drought
rate surcharge.
2. The drought surcharge can be up to and including 100% of the most current
water rate.
3. The drought surcharge will be added to the most current rate at each block.
(d) Commercial or institutional customer
1. A monthly water usage allocation shall be established by the City Manager
or designee for each commercial or institutional customer.
2. Method of establishing allocation:
a. When the combined reservoir capacity is less than 20% of total
capacity (Stage 4), the commercial or institutional customer's
allocation shall be 90 percent of the customer's usage for the
corresponding month's billing period during previous 12 months prior
to the implementation of Stage 2.
b. If the customer's billing history is shorter than 12 months, the monthly
average for the period for which there is a record shall be used for any
monthly period for which no history exists.
c. Provided, however, a customer, 90 percent of whose monthly usage
is less than 6,000 gallons, shall be allocated 6,000 gallons.
d. The City Manager shall give their best effort to see that notice of each
commercial or institutional customer's allocation is mailed to such
customer.
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e. If, however, the customer does not receive such notice, it shall be the
customer's responsibility to contact the City' Utilities Billing Office to
determine the allocation, and the allocation shall be fully effective
notwithstanding lack of receipt of written notice.
f. Upon request of the customer or at the initiative of the City Manager,
the allocation may be reduced or increased,
g.
(1) if one nonresidential customer agrees to transfer part of its
allocation to another nonresidential customer, or
(2) if other objective evidence demonstrates that the designated
allocation is inaccurate under present conditions.
A customer may appeal an allocation established hereunder to the
Water Allocation and Review Committee on grounds of unnecessary
hardship.
(e) Industrial customers, who use water for processing.
1. A monthly water usage allocation shall be established by the City Manager or
designee for each an industrial customer, which uses water for processing (e.g.,
an industrial customer).
2. Method of establishing allocation.
a. When the combined reservoir capacity is Tess than 20% of total
capacity (Stage 4), the industrial customer allocation shall be 90
percent of the customer's usage for the corresponding month's billing
period during the previous 12 months prior to the implementation of
Stage 2
d. If the customer's billing history is shorter than 12 months, the monthly
average for the period for which there is a record shall be used for any
monthly period for which no history exists.
e. The City Manager shall give his best effort to see that notice of each
industrial customer's allocation is mailed to such customer.
f. If, however, the customer does not receive such notice, it shall be the
customer's responsibility to contact the City Utilities Billing Office to
determine the allocation, and the allocation shall be fully effective
notwithstanding lack of receipt of written notice.
g.
Upon request of the customer or at the initiative of the City Manager,
the allocation may be reduced or increased, if:
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1. The designated period does not accurately reflect the
customer's normal water usage because customer had shut
down a major processing unit for overhaul during the period.
2. The customer has added or is in the process of adding
significant additional processing capacity.
3. The customer has shut down or significantly reduced the
production of a major processing unit.
4. The customer has previous!y implemented significant
permanent water conservation measures.
5. The customer agrees to transfer part of its allocation to
another industrial customer.
6. Other objective evidence demon trates that the designated
allocation is inaccurate under presant conditions.
h. A customer may appeal an allocation established under this provision
to the Water Allocation and Review (Committee on grounds of
unnecessary hardship. The Water Allocation and Review Committee
powers and duties are described in Section 12.
Commercial, institutional, and industrial customers shall pay the following
surcharges:
1. Customers whose allocation is 6,000 gallons through 20,000 gallons per
month:
a. $5.00 per 1,000 gallons for the first 1,000 g
lions over allocation.
b. $8.00 per 1,000 gallons for the second 1,000 gallons over allocation.
c. $16.00 per 1,000 gallons for the third 1,000
gallons over allocation.
d. $40.00 for each additional 1,000 gallons over allocation.
2. Customers whose allocation is 21,000 gallons per month or more:
a. One times the block rate for each 1,000 gallons in excess of the
allocation up through 5 percent above allocation.
b. Three times the block rate for each 1,000 gallons from 5 percent
through 10 percent above allocation.
c. Five times the block rate for each 1 ,000 gallons from 10 percent
through 15 percent above allocation.
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d. Ten times the block rate for each 1,000 gallons more than 15 percent
above allocation.
e. The surcharges shall be cumulative.
f. As used herein, "block rate" means the charge to the customer per
1,000 gallons at the regular water rate schedule at the level of the
customer's allocation.
(g) Nonresidential customer is billed from a master meter.
1. When a nonresidential customer is billed from a master meter which jointly
measures water to multiple residential dwelling units (for example: apartments,
mobile homes), the customer may pass along any surcharges assessed under
this plan to the tenants or occupants, provided that:
a. The customer notifies each tenant in writing:
1. That the surcharge will be passed along.
2. How the surcharge will be apportioned.
3. That the landlord must be notified immediately of any plumbing
leaks.
4. Methods to conserve water (which shall be obtained from the City).
b. The customer diligently maintains the plumbing system to prevent
leaks.
c. The customer installs water saving devices and measures (ideas for
which are available from the City) to the extent reasonable and
practical under the circumstances.
(h) Water service to the customer may be terminated under the following conditions:
1. Monthly residential water usage exceeds allocation by 4,000 gallons or more
two or more times for any individual month after the implementation of Stage
4. Also, the two months need not be consecutive months.
2. Monthly water usage on a master meter which jointly measures water usage
to multiple residential dwelling units exceeds allocation by 4,000 gallons
times the number of dwelling units or more two or more times (which need
not be consecutive months).
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3. Monthly nonresidential water usage for a customer whose allocation is 6,000
gallons through 20,000 gallons exceeds its allocation by 7,000 gallons or
more two or more times (which need not be consecutive months).
4. Monthly nonresidential water usage for a customer whose allocation is
21,000 gallons or more exceeds its allocation by 15 percent or more two or
more times (which need not be consecutive months).
5. For residential customers and nonresidential customers whose allocation
does not exceed 20,000 gallons, after the first disconnection water service
shall be restored upon request for a fee of $50.
6. For such customers, after the second disconnection, water service shall be
restored within 24 hours of the request for a fee of $500.
7. If water service is disconnected a third time for such customer, water service
shall not be restored until the City re- enters a level of water conservation
less than Stage 3.
8. For master meter customers, the service restoration fees shall be the same
as above times the number of dwelling units.
9. For nonresidential customers whose allocation is 21,000 gallons per month or
more:
a. After the first disconnection water service shall be restored upon
request for a fee in the amount of "X" in the following formula:
X = $ 50 x Customer's Allocation in gallons / 20,000 gallons
b. After the second disconnection for said customers, water service shall
be restored within 24 hours of the request for a fee of 10 times "X ".
c. If water service is disconnected a third time for such customer, water
service shall not be restored until the City re- enters a level of water
conservation less than Stage 3.
d. The City Manager is directed to institute written guidelines for
disconnection of water service under this provision, which will satisfy
minimum due process requirements, if any.
(i) It shall be a defense to imposition of a surcharge hereunder, or to termination of
service, that water used over allocation resulted from loss of water through no fault of
the customer (for example, a major water line break) for the following conditions:
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1. The customer shall have the burden to prove such defense by objective
evidence (for example, a written certification of the circumstances by a
plumber).
2. A sworn statement may be required of the customer.
3. This defense shall not apply if the customer failed to take reasonable steps
for upkeep of the plumbing system, failed to reasonably inspect the system
and discover the leak, failed to take immediate steps to correct the leak after
discovered, or was in any other way negligent in causing or permitting the
Toss of water.
(j) When this section refers to allocation or water usage periods as "month," monthly,"
"billing period," and the like, such references shall mean the period in the City's
ordinary billing cycle which commences with the reading of a meter one month and
commences with the next reading of that meter which is usually the next month.
1. The goal for the length of such period is 30 days, but a variance of two days,
more or less, will necessarily exist as to particular meters.
2. If the meter reader system is prevented from timely reading a meter by any
obstacle which is attributable to the customer, the original allocation shall
apply to the longer period without modification.
12. Allocation and Review Committee: establishment, composition, powers, and
duties.
(a) The Water Allocation and Review Committee ( "Committee ") may, in writing, grant a
temporary variance to any of the provisions for water users found in this Plan upon
Committee determination that failure to grant such variance would cause an
emergency condition adversely affecting the public health, sanitation, or fire
protection for the public or person requesting such a variance.
(b) A person requesting an exemption from the provisions of this Ordinance shall file an
exemption request on City- provided application for variance with the City Water
Department within 5 days after a particular drought response stage has been
invoked. All exemption request forms shall be reviewed by the Committee, and shall
include the following:
1. Name and address of the water user(s).
2. Purpose of water use.
3. Specific provision(s) of the Ordinance from which the water user is
requesting relief.
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4. Detailed statement as to how the specific provision of the Ordinance
adversely affects the water user or what damage or harm will occur to the
water user or others if water user complies with this Plan.
5. Description of the exemption requested
6. Period of time for which the exemption is sought.
7. Alternative water use restrictions or other measures the water user is taking
or proposes to take to meet the intent of this Plan and the compliance date.
8. Other pertinent information; or as required on permit application
(c) No exemption shall be retroactive or otherwise justify any violation of this Plan
occurring prior to the issuance of the exemption.
(d) The Water Allocation and Review Committee ( "Committee ") shall be composed of
seven (7) members: the Assistant City Manager for Public Works and Utilities, the
Director of Public Health, a representative of industry, a representative of business or
commerce, one non - profit representative, and two citizens of the city. The industry,
business, non - profit, and citizen members shall be appointed by the Mayor and
Council and shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council. In addition, seven (7)
alternate members shall be appointed. Each alternate shall serve in place of his/her
respective regular Committee member whenever that regular Committee member is
unavailable to participate. The City Manager shall appoint alternates for the Assistant
City Manager for Public Works and Utilities and the Director of Public Health. The
Mayor and Council shall appoint alternates for the industry, business, non - profit, and
citizen members of the Committee. Alternate members appointed shall have
qualifications similar to those of their respective regular member. An alternate
serving in place of a regular Committee member shall exercise the same powers and
have the same duties as a regular member.
(e) The Committee shall consider requests of water users for special consideration to be
given as to their respective particular circumstances and the Committee shall hear
and decide such requests in an open meeting and is hereby authorized to, in special
cases, grant such variance from the terms of this plan if such compliance would
cause an emergency condition adversely affecting the public health, sanitation, or
fire protection for the public or person requesting such a variance as will not be
contrary to the public interest, where, owing to special conditions, a literal
enforcement of the provisions of this plan will result in unnecessary hardship, and so
that the spirit of this plan shall be observed and substantial justice done.
(f) Should a permit for special exception be granted by such Committee, it shall be in
effect from the time of granting through the termination of the then current stage,
unless revoked by the Committee for noncompliance; provided, that the permit is
prominently posted on the premises within two (2) feet of the street number located
on the premises.
(g). Should written protest be received in the Office of the City Secretary after the
granting of any such special permit, the Committee shall consider the revocation of
19
such permit and shall reconsider the granting of such permit at a public hearing,
notice of which shall have been given at least 72 hours prior to the holding of such
hearing After the conclusion of such hearing, the Committee shall take such action
by way of revocation of such permit, or refusal to revoke the same, or modification of
such permit as the Committee may deem proper under the circumstances.
(h) Complaints regarding noncompliance of any permit granted by the Committee shall
be submitted through the City Water Department to the Committee for its review.
The Committee, after notice and opportunity to be heard, may decide to revoke or
modify the permit, or leave the permit in place. Violations of any permit condition may
be enforced under Section 13.
13. Enforcement
(a) A violation under this article is a Class C misdemeanor. Any person that violates any
provision of this article shall be subject to a fine of not more than five hundred dollars
($500.00) per violation per day. The culpable mental state required by Section 6.02
of the Texas Penal Code is specifically negated and dispensed with and a violation
of this article is a strict liability offense.
(b) The commission of a violation of each provision, and each separate violation thereof,
shall be deemed a separate offense, in and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined as
hereinabove provided.
(c) If any person or a second person in the same household or premises, is found guilty
of a second violation of this article, the water superintendent shall be authorized to
discontinue water service to the premises where such violation occurs.
(d) Cases filed under this section shall be expedited and given preferential setting in
municipal court before all other cases.
(e) Any person whose name is on file with the utilities billing office as the customer on
the water account for the property where the violation occurs or originates shall be
presumed to be the violator, and proof that the violation occurred on said premises
shall constitute prima facie evidence that the customer committed the violation, but
said customer shall have the right to show that he did not commit the violation.
(f) If any person fails to respond to a citation or summons issued for a violation of this
article within the time allowed, upon receipt of notice from the director or a judge of
the municipal courts, the water superintendent is authorized to discontinue water
service to the premises where such violation occurs.
14. Variances
A temporary variance for existing water uses otherwise prohibited under this DCP may be
obtained through the Allocation and Review Committee process outlined in Section 12.
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15. Severability
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City that the sections, paragraphs, sentences,
clauses, and phrases of this Plan are severable and, if any phrase, clause, sentence,
paragraph, or section of this Plan shall be declared unconstitutional by the valid judgment or
decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such declaration shall not affect any of the
remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs, and sections of this Plan, since the same
would not have been enacted by the City without the incorporation into this Plan of any such
unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, or section.
16. Wholesale Drought Contingency Plan
16.1 Declaration of Policy, Purpose, and Intent
In order to conserve the available water supply and/or to protect the integrity of water
supply facilities, with particular regard for domestic water use, sanitation, and fire protection,
and to protect and preserve public health, welfare, and safety and minimize the adverse impacts
of water supply shortage or other water supply emergency conditions, the City of Corpus Christi
(City) adopts the following Wholesale Drought Contingency Plan (the Plan).
16.2 Public and Wholesale Customer Involvement
Opportunity for the wholesale water customers to provide input into the preparation of
the Plan was provided by the City by means of supplying the Contracting Parties with a copy of
the Plan and receiving comments by email. The public was invited to view and make comments
on the Plan by placement of the Plan on a public website and a public meeting held on April 17,
2013 at City Hall. The Plan was adopted under the open meetings requirement of the TCEQ
during the May 28, 2013 City Council meeting.
16.3 Wholesale Water Customer Education
The City will periodically provide wholesale customers with information about the Plan,
including information about conditions under which each stage of the Plan is to be initiated or
terminated and drought response measures to be implemented in each stage. This information
will be distributed by providing a copy of the Plan to each wholesale water customer.
16.4 Coordination with Regional Water Planning Groups
The water service area of City of Corpus Christi and its wholesale water customers is
located within the Coastal Bend Planning Region (Region N) and the City has provided a copy
of the Plan to Region N.
The City of Corpus Christi shall review and update, as appropriate, the drought
contingency plan at least every five years based on new or updated information, such as the
adoption or revision of the regional water plan.
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16.5 Authorization
•
The City of Corpus Christi City Manager, or designee, is hereby authorized and directed
to implement the applicable provisions of this Plan upon determination that such implementation
is necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare. Wholesale customers are subject to
the plan under their contracts with the City. The City Manager, or designee, shall have the
authority to initiate or terminate drought or other water supply emergency response measures
as described in this Plan. The City Manager shall notify the TCEQ within five (5) business days
of any mandatory water use restrictions being enacted.
16.6 Application
The provisions of this Plan shall apply to all customers utilizing water provided by the City on a
wholesale basis. The terms "person" and "customer" as used in the Plan include individuals,
corporations, partnerships, associations, and all other legal entities. The provisions of this Plan
shall apply to all customers utilizing water provided by the City on a wholesale basis. The terms
"person" and "customer" as used in the Plan include individuals, corporations, partnerships,
associations, and all other legal entities. Every wholesale water contract entered into, renewed
or modified after official adoption of this Plan (by either ordinance, resolution, or tariff) shall
include language relating to the City of Corpus Christi Water Conservation Plan and Drought
Contingency Plan, adopted under Ordinance Number 55 -151 to impose similar restrictions,
surcharges or rationing measures on their customers. To the extent of its legal authority, the
City of Corpus Christi shall require its wholesale customers to implement outdoor watering
restrictions similar to those of the City for each drought response stage. The City requires that
any contract for the resale of water furnished to wholesale water contractors shall contain a
similar condition.
16.7 Triggering Criteria for Initiation and Termination of Drought Response
Stages
The City of Corpus Christi City Manager, or designee, shall monitor water supply and/or
demand conditions on a weekly basis and shall determine when conditions warrant initiation or
termination of each stage of the Plan. Customer notification of the initiation or termination of
drought response stages will be made by email, mail, or telephone. The news media will also
be informed by the City.
The triggering criterion to be monitored for determining drought response stages is the
combined reservoir storage levels of Choke Canyon Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi. The
combined storage levels selected are based on the TCEQ 2001 Agreed Order on Freshwater
Inflows to the Nueces Bay and Estuary (amended April 17, 2001). See Appendix A. The
triggering criterions in this section are minimum standards for initiation and maximum standards
22
for termination, and the City Manager, or designee, can initiate or terminate each stage when
conditions warrant.
(a)Stage 1 — MILD Water Shortage Condition
Requirements for initiation — The City will recognize that a mild water shortage
condition exists when the combined storage level declines below 50 percent or Lake
Texana storage level declines below 40 %.
Requirement for termination — Stage 1 of the Plan may be rescinded when the
combined storage level of Choke Canyon Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi
increases above 60 percent or Lake Texana storage level increases above 50 %.
Either of these conditions must exist for a period of 15 consecutive days before
termination of Stage 1.
(b)Stage 2 — MODERATE Water Shortage Condition
Requirements for initiation — The City will recognize that a moderate water shortage
condition exists when the combined storage level declines below 40 percent.
Requirement for termination — Stage 2 of the Plan may be rescinded when the
combined storage level increases above 50 percent for a period of 15 consecutive
days. Upon termination of Stage 2, Stage I becomes operative. The City will notify
its wholesale customers and the media of the termination of Stage 2 in the same
manner as the notification of initiation of Stage 1 of the Plan.
(c)Stage 3 — SEVERE Water Shortage Condition
Requirements for initiation — The City will recognize that a severe water shortage
condition exists when the combined storage levels declines to below 30 percent.
Requirement for termination — Stage 3 of the Plan may be rescinded when the
combined storage level increases above 40 percent for a period of 15 consecutive
days. Upon termination of Stage 3, Stage 2 becomes operative. The City will notify
its wholesale customers and the media of the termination of Stage 3.
(d)Stage 4 — CRITICAL Water Shortage Condition
Requirements for initiation — The City will recognize that a severe water shortage
condition exists when the combined storage levels declines to below 20 percent.
Requirement for termination — Stage 4 of the Plan may be rescinded when the
combined storage level increases above 30 percent for a period of 15 consecutive
days. Upon termination of Stage 4, Stage 3 becomes operative. The City will notify
its wholesale customers and the media of the termination of Stage 4.
(e)Stage 5 — EMERGENCY Water Shortage Condition
Requirements for initiation — The City will recognize that an emergency water
shortage condition exists when any of the following occur:
i. A major water line breaks, or pump or system failures occur, which
cause unprecedented loss of capability to provide water service; or
il. Water production or distribution system limitations; or
iii. Natural or man -made contamination of the water supply source
occurs.
Requirement for termination — The emergency water shortage condition may be
rescinded when the City of Corpus Christi City Manager, or designee, deems
appropriate. The City will notify its wholesale customers and the media of the
23
termination of emergency shortage condition in the same manner as the notification
of initiation of Stage 1 of the Plan.
16.8 Drought Response Stages
The City of Corpus Christi City Manager, or designee, shall monitor water supply and /or
demand conditions and, in accordance with the triggering criteria set forth in Section 16.7, shall
determine that mild, moderate, or severe water shortage conditions exist or that an emergency
condition exists and shall implement best management practices accordingly.
For water contracts between the City and wholesale customers with specific reductions
based on stage, wholesale water customers are to implement measures to achieve water use
reduction targets specified in the contract. For other contracts, required adoption of a Drought
Contingency Plan should strive to achieve the water use reduction targets for each drought
stage response presented in the following table. Further discussion on best management
practices and implementation practices associated with each stage of response is described
below.
Drought Stage
Response
Reservoir Storage
Level
Target Demand Reduction
Levels
Stage 1- Mild
<50% or if Lake Texana
is <40%
5%
Stage 2- Moderate
<40%
10%
Stage 3- Severe
<30%
15%
Stage 4- Critical
<20%
30%
Stage 5- Emergency
Not Applicable
50%
Stage 1 — MILD Water Shortage Conditions
Target: Achieve a voluntary 5 percent reduction in daily water demand for each
wholesale customer utilizing City's water supply system.
Best Management Practices for Supply Management:
• The City will voluntarily coordinate with the necessary agencies to ensure that
unnecessary releases of water from the Reservoir System are minimized,
including leakage from gates or outlet works.
• The City will encourage each wholesale water customer to utilize alternative
water sources voluntarily such as interconnections with another water system,
temporary use of a water supply other than from the City's system, or use of
reclaimed water for non - potable purposes, etc.
Water Use Restrictions for Reducing Demand:
• The City Manager, or designee, will contact wholesale water customers to
discuss water supply and /or demand conditions and will request that wholesale
water customers initiate voluntary measures to reduce water use (e.g. implement
Stage 1 of the customer's drought contingency plan).
• The City Manager, or designee, will provide a regular report to the news media
with information regarding current water supply and/or demand conditions,
24
projected water supply and demand conditions if drought conditions persist, and
consumer information on water conservation measures and practices.
Stage 2 — MODERATE Water Shortage Conditions
Target: Achieve a 10 percent reduction in daily water demand for each wholesale
customer utilizing City's water supply system.
Best Management Practices for Supply Management:
• The City will coordinate with the necessary agencies to ensure that unnecessary
releases of water from the Reservoir System are minimized.
• The City will encourage each wholesale water customer to utilize alternative
water sources such as interconnections with another water system, temporary
use of a water supply other than from the City's system, use of reclaimed water
for non- potable purposes, etc.
Water Use Measures for Reducing Demand:
• The City of Corpus Christi City Manager, or designee, will initiate contact with
wholesale water customers to discuss water supply and/or demand conditions
and the possibility of pro rata curtailment of water diversions and /or deliveries.
• The City of Corpus Christi City Manager, or designee, will request wholesale
water customers to initiate mandatory measures to reduce non - essential water
use (e.g. implement Stage 2 of the customer's drought contingency plan).
• The City Manager, or designee, will provide a regular report to the news media
with information regarding current water supply and /or demand conditions,
projected water supply and demand conditions if drought conditions persist, and
consumer information on water conservation measures and practices.
Other Actions to be Taken:
• The City will notify, in writing, operators of recreational facilities to consider
issuance of signs near boat ramps and in public parks notifying the public that
the Reservoir System is operating at Tess than 40 percent of its conservation pool
volume, and that a Stage 2 Drought Response level has been declared. The City
will recommend that operators post information to the public regarding Stage 2 of
the Drought Contingency Plan and possible boating safety hazards due to
decreasing Reservoir levels.
Stage 3 — SEVERE Water Shortage Conditions
Target: Achieve a 15 percent reduction in daily water demand for each wholesale
customer utilizing City's water supply system.
Best Management Practices for Supply Management:
• The City will coordinate with the necessary agencies to ensure that unnecessary
releases of water from the Reservoir System are minimized.
• The City will encourage each wholesale water customer to utilize alternative
water sources such as interconnections with another water system, temporary
25
use of a water supply other than from the City's system, use of reclaimed water
for non - potable purposes, etc.
Water Use Measures for Reducing Demand:
• The City of Corpus Christi City Manager, or designee, will contact wholesale
water customers to discuss water supply and/or demand conditions and will
request that wholesale water customers initiate additional mandatory measures
to reduce non - essential water use (e.g. implement Stage 3 of the customer's
drought contingency plan).
• The City of Corpus Christi City Manager, or designee, will initiate preparations for
the implementation of pro rata curtailment of water diversions and/or deliveries in
accordance with Texas Water Code §11.039 by preparing a monthly water usage
allocation baseline for each wholesale customer according to procedures
specified in 16.9 of the Plan.
• The City of Corpus Christi City Manager, or designee, will provide a regular
report to the news media with information regarding current water supply and /or
demand conditions, projected water supply and demand conditions if drought
conditions persist, and consumer information on water conservation measures
and practices.
Other Actions to be Taken:
• The City will notify, in writing, operators of recreational facilities to consider
issuance of signs near boat ramps and in public parks notifying the public that
the Reservoir System is operating at less than 30 percent of its conservation pool
volume, and that a Stage 3 Drought Response level has been declared. The City
will recommend that operators post information to the public regarding Stage 3 of
the Drought Contingency Plan and possible boating safety hazards due to
decreasing Reservoir levels.
Stage 4 — CRITICAL Water Shortage Conditions
Target: Achieve a 30 percent reduction in daily water demand for each wholesale
customer utilizing City's water supply system.
Best Management Practices for Supply Management:
• The City will coordinate with the necessary agencies to ensure that unnecessary
releases of water from the Reservoir System are minimized, including leakage
from project gates.
• The City will encourage each wholesale water customer to utilize alternative
water sources such as interconnections with another water system, temporary
use of a water supply other than from the City's system, use of reclaimed water
for non - potable purposes, etc.
Water Use Restrictions for Reducing Demand:
• The City of Corpus Christi City Manager, or designee, will contact wholesale
water customers to discuss water supply and /or demand conditions and will
request that wholesale water customers initiate additional mandatory measures
26
to reduce non - essential water use (e.g. implement Stage 4 of the customer's
drought contingency plan).
• The City of Corpus Christi City Manager, or designee, will initiate pro rata
curtailment of water diversions and/or deliveries for each wholesale customer
according to the procedures specified in Section 16.9 of the Plan in accordance
with Texas Water Code §11.039.
• The City of Corpus Christi City Manager, or designee, will provide a regular
report to the news media with information regarding current water supply and/or
demand conditions, projected water supply and demand conditions if drought
conditions persist, and consumer information on water conservation measures
and practices.
Other Actions to be Taken:
• The City will notify, in writing, operators of recreational facilities to consider
issuance of signs near boat ramps and in public parks notifying the public that
the Reservoir System is operating at less than 20 percent of its conservation pool
volume, and that a Stage 4 Drought Response level has been declared. The City
will recommend that operators post information to the public regarding Stage 4 of
the Drought Contingency Plan and possible boating safety hazards due to
decreasing Reservoir levels.
Stage 5 -- EMERGENCY Water Shortage Conditions
Whenever emergency water shortage conditions exist as defined in Section 16.7 of the
Plan, the City of Corpus Christi City Manager, or designee, shall:
• Assess the severity of the problem and identify the actions needed and the time
required to solve the problem.
• Inform the utility director or other responsible official of each wholesale water
customer by telephone, email, or in person and suggest actions, as appropriate
to alleviate problems (e.g., notification of the public to reduce water use until
service is restored).
• If appropriate, notify city, county, and /or state emergency response officials for
assistance.
• Undertake necessary actions, including repairs and /or clean-up as needed.
• Prepare a post -event assessment report on the incident and critique of
emergency response procedures and actions.
16.9 Pro Rata Water Allocation
In the event that the triggering criteria specified in Section 16.7 of the Plan for Stage 4
have been met, the City of Corpus Christi City Manager, or designee, is hereby authorized to
implement allocation of water supplies on a pro rata basis to raw water and treated wholesale
customers in accordance with Texas Water Code §11.039. The initiation of pro rata allocation
preparations shall begin during Stage 3. A provision will be included in every wholesale water
contract entered into or renewed after adoption of the plan, including contract extensions, that in
27
case of a shortage of water resulting from drought, the water to be distributed shall be divided in
accordance with Texas Water Code §11.039.
(1) A raw water or wholesale treated water customer's monthly allocation shall be a
percentage of the customer's water usage baseline. The percentage will be set by
resolution of the city council based on the city manager's assessment of the severity of
the water shortage condition and the need to curtail water diversions and deliveries, and
may be adjusted periodically by resolution of the city council as conditions warrant. Once
pro rata allocation is in effect, water diversions by or deliveries to each raw water or
wholesale treated water customer shall be limited to the allocation established for each
month.
(2) A monthly water usage allocation shall be established by the City Manager, or
the City Manager's designee, for each raw water or wholesale treated water customer.
The raw water or wholesale treated water customer's water usage baseline will be
computed on the average water usage by month for the previous five -year period. If the
raw water or wholesale treated water customer's billing history is less than five (5) years,
the monthly average for the period for which there is a record shall be used for any
monthly period for which no billing history exists.
(3) The City Manager shall provide notice, by certified mail, to each raw water or
wholesale treated water customer informing them of their monthly water usage
allocations and shall notify the news media and the Executive Director of the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality upon initiation of pro rata water allocation.
(4) Upon request of the raw water or wholesale treated water customer or at the
initiative of the City Manager, the allocation may be reduced or increased if:
a. The designated period does not accurately reflect the raw water or wholesale
treated water customer's normal water usage;
b. The customer agrees to transfer part of its allocation to another raw water or
wholesale treated water customer; or
c. Other objective evidence demonstrates that the designated allocation is
inaccurate under present conditions. A customer may appeal an allocation
established under this section to the City Council of the City of Corpus Christi.
16.10 Pro Rata Surcharges and Enforcement
During any period when pro rata allocation of available water supplies is in effect,
wholesale customers shall pay the following surcharges on excess water diversions:
• 2.0 times the normal water rate per unit in excess of the monthly allocation up
through 5 percent above the monthly allocation.
28
• 2.5 times the normal water rate in excess of the monthly allocation from 5 percent
through 10 percent above the monthly allocation.
• 3.0 times the normal water rate in excess of the monthly allocation from 10 percent
through 15 percent above the monthly allocation.
• 3.5 times the normal water rate more than 15 percent above the monthly allocation.
16.11 Variances
The City Manager, or designee, may, in writing, grant a temporary variance to the pro
rata water allocation policies provided by this Plan if it is determined that failure to grant such
variance would cause an emergency condition adversely affecting the public health, welfare, or
safety and if one or more of the following conditions are met:
(1) Compliance with this Plan cannot be technically accomplished during the duration of
this water supply shortage or other condition for which the Plan is in effect.
(2) Alternative methods can be implemented which will achieve the same level of
reduction in water use.
Persons requesting an exemption from the provisions of this Plan shall file a petition for
variance with the City Manager within 5 days after pro rata allocation has been invoked. All
petitions for variances shall be reviewed by the City Manager, or designee, and shall include the
following:
(1) Name and address of the petitioner(s).
(2) Detailed statement with supporting data and information as to how the pro rata
allocation of water under the policies and procedures established in the Plan
adversely affects the petitioner or what damage or harm will occur to the petitioner or
others if petitioner complies with this Ordinance.
(3) Description of the relief requested.
(4) Period of time for which the variance is sought
(5) Alternative measures the petitioner is taking or proposes to take to meet the intent of
this Plan and the compliance date.
(6) Other pertinent information.
Variances granted by the City shall be subject to the following conditions, unless waived
or modified by the City.
(1) Variances granted shall include a timetable for compliance with allocation
requirements.
(2) Variances granted shall expire when the Plan is no longer in effect, unless the
petitioner has failed to meet specified requirements.
No variance shall be retroactive or otherwise justify any violation of this Plan occurring
prior to the issuance of the variance.
29
16.12 Severabittty
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City that the sections, paragraphs,
sentences, clauses, and phrases of this Plan are severable and, if any phrase, clause,
sentence, paragraph, or section of this Plan shall be declared unconstitutional by the valid
judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such declaration shall not affect any
of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs, and sections of this Plan, since the
same would not have been enacted by the City without the incorporation into this Plan of any
such unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, or section.
16.13 Reservoir System Operating Plan
Because all of the wholesale customers rely on the reservoir systems for their supplies, they are
subject to the Reservoir Operating Plan. A copy of this is included in Attachment B.
30
TEXAS NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
AN AGREED ORDER Amending the operational procedures and continuing an Advisory
Council pertaining to Special Condition 5.B., Certificate of
Adjudication No. 21 -3214; Docket No. 2001- 0230 -WR
On April 4, 2001, came to be considered before the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission' ( "Commission ") the Motion by the City ofCorp'us Christi andNueces River Authority
for the adoption of an amendment to the Agreed Order issued April 28,1995, establishing operating
procedures pertaining to Special Condition S.B., Certificate of Adjudication No. 21 -3214, held by
the City of Corpus Christi, the Nueces River Authority, and the City of Three Rivers" _(the two cities
and river authority shall be referred to herein as "Certificate Holders "). The Certificate Holders and
the Executive Director ofthe Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission have agreed.to the
provisions of this Agreed Order..
The City of Corpus Christi (managing entity) requests that Section 2 of this Agreed Order
be amended to add further detail to the provisions regarding the use ofwater for bays and estuaries
and to make changes in the required passage of inflows for the bays and estuaries automatic.'at'40
percent and 30 percent of total reservoir system capacity upon institution of mandatoryoutdoor
watering restrictions. Additionally, Certificate Holders request the most recent bathymetiic
be used for determining reservoir system storage capacity. The Certificate Holders request details
be added regarding provisions for two projects to enhance /augment the amount of freshwater going
into the receiving estuary and timelines for those projects.
After considering the proposals and the.presentations of the parties, the Commission finds
that it has authority to establish operational procedures under Special Condition S.B. of Certificate .
of Adjudication No. 21 -3214, and that operational procedures previously established should -be
amended. The Commission finds that, because of the need to continue to monitor the ecological
environment and health of related living marine resources ofthe estuaries. to assess the effectiveness
of freshwater inflows provided by requirements contained in this Agreed Order relating, toreleases
and spills from Choke.Canyon Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi (collectively.refered:to as'the . .
Reservoir System); as well as return flows, and to evaluate. potential impacts which may occurtoPthe::
reservoirs as well as to the availability of water to meet the needs of the Cer tificate< Holders and their
customers which may result from those operational procedures, the existing advisory council should
be Maintained to consider such additional information and related issues and to formulate
recommendations for the Commission's review.
The Commission additionally finds that based on the preliminary application of the Texas
Water Development Board's Mathematical Programming Optimization Model, (GRG-2); 138,000
acre -feet of fresh water is necessary to achieve maximum harvest in the Nueces Estuary; and,
therefore, when water is- impounded in the Lake Corpus Christi -Choke Canyon Reservoir System
to the extent greater than 70 percent of the system's storage capacity, the delivery of 138,000
31
acre -feet of water to Nueces Bay and/or the Nueces Delta, by a combination of releases and spills,
together with diversions and return flows noted below, should be accomplished; and that during
periods when the reservoir system contains less than 70 . percent storage capacity, reductions in
releases and spills,. along with diversions and return flows, are appropriate in that a satisfactory level
of marine harvest will be sustained 'and the .ecological health of the receiving estuaries will be
maintained.
The Commission finds that return flows, other than to Nueces Bay and/or the Nueces Delta,
that are delivered to Corpus Christi Bay and other receiving estuaries are currently in the assumed
mount of 54,000 acre -feet per annum (per calendar year), and that they shall be credited at this
amount until such time • as it is shown that actual return flows to Corpus Christi Bay and other
receiving estuaries exceed 54,000 acre -feet per annum.
The Commission finds that by contractual relationships, the City of Corpus Christi is the
managing entity for operating the Reservoir System.
The Commission finds that the Motion by the City of Corpus Christi and Nueces River
Authority to Amend this Agreed Order is reasonable and should be granted. Benefits of the proposed
diversion project and operating changes will include increased water supply, increased reservoir
storage levels, increased positive flow events for Rincon Bayou and the upper Nueces Delta,
increased sources of nitrogen for the upper delta, and lower'' salinity. levels in the-upper delta.
When the Commission uses the word "release" in this Order, release means spills, inflow
passage, intentional releases, and return flows; provided, however, under this Order no release from
storage is required to meet conditions of this Order.
By consenting to the issuance of this Agreed Order, no party admits or denies any claim, nor
waives with respect to any subsequent proceeding any interpretation or argument which may be
contrary to the provisions of this Agreed Order.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED BY THE TEXAS NATURAL RESOURCE
CONSERVATION COMMISSION THAT:
• 1. • a: • • .The City of Corpus Christi, as operator of the Choke Canyon/Lake .Corpus Christi
''.reseirvoirs.(the "Reservoir.System "), shall provide not less than 151,000 acre -feet of
water per annum (per calendar year) for the estuaries by a combination of releases
and spills from the Reservoir System at Lake Corpus Christi Dam and return flows
• to Nueces and Corpus Christi Bays and other receiving estuaries (including such
credits as may be appropriate for diversion of river flows and/or return flows to the
Nueces Delta and/or Nueces Bay), as computed and to the extent provided forherein.
b. . When water impounded in the Reservoir System is greater than or equal to 70
percent of storage capacity, a target amount of 138,000 acre -feet is to be delivered
1()MIKEEvtiorittltinsDntpccotilimufftstriOiRom
Page 2 of 11
32
the Reservoir Systems as well as diversions and return flows. In accordance with the
monthly schedule and except as provided otherwise in this Agreed Order, target
inflows to Nueces Bay and/or the Nueces Delta shall be in the acre -foot amounts as
follow:.. •
January 2,500 July 6,500
February 2,500 August 6,500
March 3,500 September 28,500
April 3,500 October 20,000
May 25,500 November 9,000
June 25,500 December 4,500
It is expressly provided, however, that releases from Reservoir System storage shall
not be required to satisfy the above targeted inflow amounts, as calculated in
Subparagraph d.
c. When water impounded in the Reservoir System is less than 70 percent but greater
than or equal to 40 percent of storage capacity, a targeted amount of 97,000 acre -feet
is to be delivered to Nueces Bay . and/or the Nueces Delta by a combination of
releases and spills from the Reservoir System as well as diversions and return flows.
In accordance: with •the monthly schedule and except as provided otherwise in this
Agreed Order, target inflows to .Nueces Fay and/or the Nueces Delta shall be in the
acre -foot amounts as follows:
January 2,500 July 4,500
February 2,500 August • 5,000
March 3,500 September 11,500
April 3,500 October 9,000
May 23,500 November 4,000
June 23,000 December 4,500
It is expressly provided, however, that releases from Reservoir System storage shall
not be required to satisfy the above targeted inflow amounts as calculated in
Subparag aph d.
d. . The amounts of water required in subpara graphs 1.b. and 1.c. will consist of return
flows, and intentional diversions, as well as spills and releases from the Reservoir
System as defined in this subparagraph. For purposes of compliance with monthly
targeted amounts prescribed above, the spills and releases described in this paragraph
shall be measured at the U.S. Geological Survey stream monitoring station on the
Nueces River at Calallen, Texas (USGS Station No. 08211500). Any inflows,
including measured wastewater effluent and rainfall runoffrneeting lawful discharge
standards which are intentionally diverted to the upper Nueces Delta region, shall be
credited toward the total inflow amount delivered to Nueces Bay and/or the Nueces
Page 3' of 11
33
Delta. Inflow passage from the Reservoir System for the purpose of compliance with
the monthly targeted amounts prescribed in subparagraphs 1.b. and 1.c. shall in no
case exceed the estimated inflow to Lake Corpus Christi as if there were no
impoundment of inflows at Choke Canyon Reservoir. The estimated inflow to Lake
Corpus. Christi as if there were no impoundment of inflows at Choke. ,Canyon
Reservoir shall be computed as the sure of the flows measured at the U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) STREAMFLOW GAGING STATIONS ON THE Nueces River near
Three Rivers (USGS No. 08210000), Frio River at . Tilden, Texas (USGS No.
08206600), and San Miguel Creek near Tilden, Texas (USGS No. 08206700) less
computed releases and spills from Choke Canyon Reservoir.
e. The passage of inflow necessary to meet the monthly targeted allocations may be
distributed over the calendar month in a manner to be determined by the City. Relief
from the above requirements shall be available under subparagraphs (1) or (2) below
and Section 2.(b) and 3.(c) at the option of the City of Corpus Christi. However,
passage of inflow may only be reduced under one of those subparagraphs below, for
any given month.
(1) Inflows to Nueces Bay and/or the Nueces Delta in excess of the required monthly
targeted amount may be credited for up to fifty (50) percent of the targeted
requirement for the following month, based on the amount received.
(2) When the mean salinity in Upper Nueces Bay (Lat. 27 °51'02 ", Long. 97 °28'52 ") for
a .10 -day period, ending at any time during the calendar month for which the
reduction of the passage of inflow is sought, is below the SUB *, pass through of
inflow from the reservoir system for that same calendar month may be reduced as
follows:
(a) For any month other than May, June, September and October, if 5
parts per thousand (ppt) below the SUB for the month, a reduction of
25% of the current month's targeted Nueces Bay inflow;
If 10 ppt below the SUB for the month, a reduction of 50 % of the
current month's targetedNueces Bay inflow except that credit under
this provision. is limited to 25 % diningth-months of May, June,
September and October; : .
(b)
* "SUB" means "salinity upper bounds" as set forth more specifically in Section 3.b.
(0)
If 15 ppt below the SUB for that month, a reduction of 75% of the
current month's targeted Nueces Bay inflow.
Page4of 11
34
f. The City of Corpus Christi shall submit monthly reports to the Commission
containing daily inflow amounts provided to the Nueces Estuary in accordance with
this Agreed Order through releases, spills, return flows and other freshwater inflows.
•
Certificate holders are to provide in any future contracts or any amendments,•:
modifications or changes to existing contracts the condition that all wholesale -
customers and any subsequent wholesale customers shall develop and have in effect
awater conservation and drought management plan consistent with Commission rule.
The City of Corpus. Christi shall solicit from its customers and report to the
Commission annually the result of conservation under the City's plan, the customers'
plans, and the feasibility of implementing conservation plans and programs for all
users of water from the reservoir system. This report shall be submitted with the
Certificate Holder's annual water use report as provided by 31 T.A.C. §295.202.
b. The Certificate Holders may reduce targeted Nueces Bay inflows during times of
prolonged drought in accordance with this subparagraph 2.
(1) When the combined storage in the Choke Canyon/Lake Corpus Christi
reservoir system (Reservoir System Storage) falls below 50% of the total
system storage capacity, the City of Corpus .Christi shall issue public notice
advising and .informing the water users of the region of voluntary
conservation measures that are requested immediately and required drought
management measures to be taken should the Reservoir. System Storage -fall
to under 40% and/or 30% of total. system :storage capacity. To the extent of
its legal authority, the City of Corpus Christi shall require its wholesale
customers to issue public notice advising and informing the water users ofthe
region ofvoluntary conservation measures that are requested immediately and
required drought management measures to be taken should the Reservoir
System Storage fall to under 40 % and/or 30% of total system storage
capacity.
(2) In any month when Reservoir System Storage is, less than 40 %, but equal to
or greater than 30% of total. system storage capacity, the City of Corpus
Christi shall implement time of day outdoor watering restrictions and shall
reduce targeted inflows-to Nueces Bay to 1,200 acre -feet per month (1,200
acre-feet per month represents the quantity ofwater that is the median inflow
into Lake Corpus Christi during the drought of record). Time of day outdoor
watering restrictions prohibit lawn watering between the hours of 10:00
o'clock a.rn. and 6:00 o'clock p.m. and are subject to additional conditions
as described in the City of Corpus Christi's approved "Water Conservation
and Drought ContingencyPlan ( "Plan ")." To the extent ofits legal authority,
the City of Corpus Christi shall require its wholesale customers to implement
time of day outdoor watering restrictions similar to those of the City.
Page 5 of 11
35
(3)
In any month when Reservoir System Storage is less than 30% of total system
storage capacity, the City of Corpus Christi shall implement a lawn watering
schedule in addition to time of day outdoor watering restrictions (see
subparagraph 2.b.(2)) and. shall suspend the _passage of inflow from the
Reservoir System for targeted inflows to Nueces Bay. •However, return flows
directed into Nueces Bay and/or the Nueces Delta shall continue. The lawn
watering schedule shall allow customers to water lawns no oftener than every
five days, subject to the time of day restrictions described in subparagraph
2.b.(2) and any additional conditions as described in the City's Plan.
(4) Certificate Holders' may implement whole or partial suspension of the
passage of inflow through the reservoir as described above when the City
implements, and requires its customers to implement, water conservation and
drought management measures at diminished Reservoir System levels, as set
forth in subparagraphs b.(2) and b.(3).
c. For purposes of this Agreed Order, Reservoir System storage capacity shall be
determined by the most recently completed bathymetric survey of each reservoir. As
of 2001, completed bathymetric surveys of each reservoir reports conservation
storage capacities of 695,271 acre -feet (below 220.5 feet mean sea level) for Choke
Canyon Reservoir (Volumetric Survey of Choke Canyon Reservoir, TWDB
September 23, 1993) and 241,241 acre -feet (below 94 feet mean sea level) for Lake
Corpus Christi (Regional Water Supply Planning Study-Phase 1 Nueces River Basin,
HDR, December, 1990).
d. Percentage of the Reservoir System capacity shall be determined on a daily basis and
shall govern, in part, the inflow to be passed through the reservoir during the
remaining days of the month.
e. Within the first ten days of each month, the City of Corpus Christi shall submit to the
Commission a monthly report containing the daily capacity ofthe Reservoir System
in percentages and mean sea levels as recorded for the previous month as well as
reservoir surface areas and estimated inflows to Lake Corpus Christi assuming no
impoundment of inflows at Choke .Canyon Reservoir. The report shall indicate
which gages . or measuring devices were used to determine Reservoir System capacity
and estimate inflows to Lake Corpus Christi:
f. Concurrent with implementing subparagraphs 2.b.(I) through 2.b.(3), the City shall
proceed to:
1. Acquire land rights to properties necessary to re-open the Nueces River
Overflow Channel and make the Nueces River Overflow Channel and Rincon
Bayou Overflow Channel permanent features ofthe RinconBayou Diversion;
Page 6 of 11
36
g.
2. Construct and operate a conveyance facility to deliver up to 3,000 acre -feet
per month of required Reservoir System "pass- throughs" directly from the
Calallen Pool into the Upper Rincon Bayou by use of one or two of the five
authorized points of diversion under. Certificate of Adjudication No. 2464,
being the. existing San.Patricio Municipal Water District point of diversion
and/or a point on the North bank of 'the Calallen Pool located at Latitude.
27.8823 °N, Longitude. 97.5254 °W, also bearing 5 27° 24' W, 4,739 feet
from the southwest corner of the J.H.W. Ottman Survey, Abstract No. 212,
SanPatricio County, Texas, where the water will be pumped at the maximum
rate of 45,000 gpm; and
3_ Implement an on -going monitoring and assessrnent program designed to.
facilitate an "adaptive management" prow= for freshwater inflows into the
Nueces Estuary.
. 4. Construction necessary to implement subparagraph 2.f.1. shall be
accomplished by December 31, 2001 and work necessary to accomplish
subparagraph 2.f.2. shall be accomplished by December 31, 2002.
5. In the event the City fails to timely complete the work set forth in
subparagraphs 2.f 1. and 2.f.2., this amendment shall automatically terminate
andthe provisions of the Agreed Order of Aprii28, 1.995 shall be reinstated
and become operative despite this ammendmeitt, unless the Executive Director
grants a modification after considering-the recommendations of the Nueces
Estuary Advisory Council.
The Executive Director is delegated authority to make Modifications to subparagraph
2.f, after considering the recommendations oftheNueces Estuary Advisory Council. .
However, changes maybe made through this process only with the City's consent if
the changes result /in increased costs to the City.
'lithe Executive Director makes modifications to subparagraph 2.£ as authorized in
this paragraph, any affected person. may file. With the chief clerk a motion for
reconsideration' of theExecutive Director's action no later.than 23 days after the date
'the Executiv4 Director mails. noticeofthe ,m,odificationto the City. This motion shall •
be considered under the provisions of 30Texas Administrative,Code § 50.39(d) and "
(e),
h. The City shall obtain all necessary permits from the .Commission before beginning
these projects. The deadlines set out above include time necessary to apply for,
process and, if necessary, complete hearings on these permits.
3. a. The City of Corpus Christi, with the assistance and/or participation of federal, state
• and local entities, shall maintain a monitoring program to assess the effect of this
. Page 7 of 11
37
operating plan on Nueces Bay. The cornerstone of this program is the development
of a salinity monitoring program. The program shall include at least two monitoring
stations, one in upper Nueces Bay (Lat. 27'51'02", Long.-97'28'52") and one in mid
• Nueces Bay (Lt. :2.7 °51'25 Long. 97 °25'28 ") with the capability of providing
Continuous salinity and/or conductivity.data, temperature; pH, and dissolved oxygen
levels. Additional stations may be established at the recommendation of the
Advisory Council (continued by paragraph 4 of this Agreed Order) to assess inflow
effects throughout the estuarine system, but the City shall not be obligated to
establish such additional stations except to the extent authorized by its City Council.
b. The City of Corpus Christi or its designated representatives shall monitor salinity
levels in Upper and Mid - Nueces Bay. The lower (SLB) and upper (SUB) salinity
bounds (in parts per thousand -ppt) developed for application of the Texas Estuarine
Mathematical Programming Model and considered appropriate for use herein, are as
follows:
SLB
SUB SLB SUB.
January 5 30 July 2 25
February 5 30 August 2 25
March 5 . 30 ' September 5 . 20
April _ • 5 • ' . 30 .October ' 5 • 30
May 1 20 November 5 30 •
June 1 - • 20 • December 5 30
c. When the average salinity for the third week (the third week includes the seven days
from the 15th through 21st) of any month is at or below the subsequent month's
established SLB for upper Nueces Bay (Lat. 27°51'02", Long. 97°28'52"), no releases
from the Reservoir System to satisfy targeted Nueces Bay inflow mounts shall be
required for that subsequent month.
d. All data collected as a result of the monitoring program required by paragraph 3 of
this Agreed Order shall be submitted monthly to the Commission within the first ten
days of the immediately following month.. The Nueces Estuary Advisory Council
shall study the feasibility.of developing a method of granting credits for_inflows.
which exceed the required amounts- to replace the credits that are set out in
subparagraph 1.e.(1) and make recommendations to the Commission for possible
implementation. That method shall have as its goal the maintenance of the proper
ecological environment and health of related living marine resources and the
provision of maximum reasonable credits towards monthly inflow requirements.
4. a. To assist the Commission in monitoring implementation of this Order and making
recommendations to the Commission relating to any changes to this Agreed Order
and the establishment of future operating procedures, the Nueces Estuary Advisory
Page a-of 11
38
Council shall be continued. Its members shall include, but are not limited to a
qualified representative chosen by each of the following entities or groups: the
Executive Director of the TexasNatural Resource Conservation Commission, whose
representative shall serve as chairthe Texas Water Development Board; the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department; the Texas Department of Health; the General Land
Office; the holders of Certificate of Adjudication No. 21 -3214 (the Cities-of Corpus
Christi and Three Rivers and the Nueces River Authority; the University of Texas
Marine Science Institute; Texas A &M University - Corpus Christi; Save Lake
Corpus Christi; Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce; the City of Mathis; Coastal
Bend Bays and .Estuaries Program, Inc.; a commercial bay fishing group; a
conservation group (e.g: the Sierra Club and the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation);
wholesale water suppliers who are customers of the Certificate 'Holders (e.g., the
South Texas Water Authority and the San Patricia Municipal Water District); the
Port of Corpus Christi Authority; and a representative of industry. The
representatives should have experience and knowledge relating to current or future
water use and management or environmental and economic needs of the Coastal
Bend area.
b. No modification shall be made to this Order without the unanimous consent of the
Certificate Holders, except to the extent provided by law.
c. Matters to be studied by the Nueces Estuary Advisory Council .and upon which the
Executive Director shall certify recommendations to the Commission -shall include,
but are not limited to:
(1)
(2)
(3)
the effectiveness ofthe inflow requirements contained in this Agreed Order
on Nueces Estuary and any recommended changes;
the effect of the releases from the Reservoir System upon the aquatic and
wildlife habitat and other beneficial and recreational uses of Choke Canyon
Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi;
the development and implementation of a short and long -term regional water
management plan for the Coastal, Bend Area •
•
•
(4) the salinity level to be applied in Paragraphs 1.e. and 3:c., at which targeted
inflows in the subsequent month may be suspended;
the feasibility of discharges at locations where the increased biological
productivity justifies an inflow credit computed by multiplying the amount
of discharge by a number greater than one; and development of a
methodology for granting credits for inflows which exceed the required
amount to replace the credits that are set out in subparagraph 1.e.. That
methodology shall have as its•goal the maintenance ofthe proper ecological
(5)
Page 9of 11
39
environment and health ofrelated living marine resources and the provision
of maximum reasonable credits towards monthly inflow requirements; and,
.(6) _ any other.matter pertinent to the conditions contained in this Agreed Order.
Page l0 of •11
40
• G.
5. This Agreed Order shall remain in effect until amended or superseded by the Commission.
Issuectdate: •
a6;:PR '5 2001:
". •
TEXAS NATURAL RESOURCE
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
R bert J. ton, eLirrnan
Page 11 of 11
41
OPERATIONS PLAN FOR THE
LAKE CORPUS CHRISTI -CHOKE CANYON RESERVOIR SYSTEM
The following operations plan for the Lake Corpus Christi —Choke Canyon Reservoir water system
provides for the two reservoirs to be operated as a regional water supply with primary purpose to be
furnishings a dependable supply to the people in the Coastal Bend area. The plan also recognizes the
need for the recreational facilities for public use and the Texas Water Commission adjudicated water
permit which requires a minimum flow of 151,000 acre -feet of water annually to bays and estuaries
from return flows, spills, or fresh water releases from Lake Corpus Christi once Choke Canyon Reservoir
fills.
The Plan consists of four phases of operation depending on the water levels in the two reservoirs.
PHASE I -
This phase applies only to the initial filling period of Choke Canyon Reservoir. It is
necessary that this reservoir be filled at the earliest opportunity so that all structures
and mechanical equipment can be tested. Initial filling of the reservoir also triggers the
requirement that minimal flows be made available for bays and estuaries.
1. During the initial period, only the releases requires required by agreement between
the City of Corpus Christi and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, varying
between 15 and 33 cubic feet per second depending on the reservoir level, will be
made unless Lake Corpus Christi elevation falls below elevation 86 feet.
2. If water user demand is less than 200,000 acre -feet annually and Lake Corpus Christi
is at elevation 86 feet, water will be released from Choke Canyon to maintain this
elevation until Choke Canyon Reservoir falls to elevation 184 feet.
3. When Lake Corpus Christi has fallen to elevation 86 feet and Choke Canyon has
fallen to elevation 184 feet, Lake Corpus Christi will be allowed to drop to elevation
76 feet, at which time water will be released from Choke Canyon to allow user's
intake structures at Lake Corpus Christi to be used.
4. Should water user demand excess 200,000 acre -feet annually, the water level of
Lake Corpus Christi will be allowed to drop to elevation 76 feet prior to releases
from Choke Canyon Reservoir.
PHASE II - This phase applies after Choke Canyon Reservoir is filled and water user demand is less
than 150,000 acre -feet annually.
1. A minimum of 2,000 acre -feet per month will be released from Choke Canyon
Reservoir to meet conditions of the release agreement between City of Corpus
Christi and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
42
PHASE 111 -
PHASE IV -
2. Whenever Lake Corpus Christ water surface falls to elevation 88 feet and Choke
Canyon Reservoir surface elevation is above 204 feet, releases will be made from
Choke Canyon Reservoir to maintain Lake Corpus Christi surface at elevation 88 feet.
3. Whenever Lake Corpus Christi water surface is at or below elevation 88 feet and
Choke Canyon Reservoir surface elevation is below 204 feet, the Choke Canyon
release for the current month is made equal to the Lake Corpus Christi release from
the preceding month. This minimizes drawdown at Lake Corpus Christi for
recreation purposes and promotes a more constant quality of water by mixing
Choke Canyon Reservoir releases with Lake Corpus Christi content.
This phase applies after Choke Canyon Reservoir is filled and water user demand is
between 150,000 and 200,000 acre -feet annually. During this period, water release plan
prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation will be followed to produce a dependable yield
of 252,000 acre -feet.
1. A minimum of 200,000 acre -feet per month will be releases from Choke Canyon
Reservoir to meet conditions of the release agreement between the City of Corpus
Christi and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
2. Whenever Lake Corpus Christi water surface is at or below elevation 88 feet, and
the ratio of Choke Canyon Reservoir content to Lake Corpus Christi content (both at
the end of the preceding month) exceeds the corresponding ratio with 6 -foot
drawdown at both reservoirs, the Choke Canyon Reservoir release for the current
month is made equal to the Lake Corpus Christi release during the preceding month.
This equalizes drawdown at the two reservoirs for recreation purposes and
promotes a more constant quality of water by mixing Choke Canyon Reservoir
releases with Lake Corpus Christi content.
This phase applies after Choke Canyon Reservoir is filled, water user demand exceeds
200,000 acre -feet annually, and developed long -term supply is less than 300,000 acre -
feet annually.
1. A minimum of 2,000 acre -feet per month will be released from Choke Canyon
Reservoir to meet conditions of the release agreement between the City of Corpus
Christi and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
2. In order to provide maximum dependable yield from the two reservoirs, the water
level in Lake Corpus Christi will be allowed to drop top elevation 74.0 feet
(Ordinance Changed #022661) before water is released from Choke Canyon
Reservoir in excess of the 2,000 acre -feet per month requirement. When the
elevation of Choke Canyon Reservoir drops to 155 feet, Lake Corpus Christi will be
lowered to its minimum elevation.
43
LAKE CORPUS CHRISTI -CHOKE CANYON RESERVOIR STATISTICAL DATA
Water Elevation Minimum Functional
Capacity, Acre -Feet* When Full, Feet Elevation, Feet
Lake Corpus Christi 272,000 94.0 76.0
Choke Canyon Reservoir 692,000 220.5 147.5
Intake Structure Elevations of Customers Withdrawing Water Directly from Lake Corpus Christi:
Elevation, Feet
City of Mathis
Beeville Water Authority
Alice Water Authority
City of Corpus Christi
Annual Lake Corpus Christi Withdrawals:
73.0
74.0
67.0
55.0
Fiscal Year Total Withdrawn From Lake, Acre -Feet
1975 -76 86,416
1976 -77 86,408
1977 -78 101,596
1978 -79 96,029
1979 -80 106,851
1980 -81 104,657
1981 -82 107,002
1982 -83 107,348
1983 -84 119,701
1984 -85 90,226
1985 -86 105,469
* 1 acre -foot = 325,850 gallons
44
Water Conservation Plan
2013
City of Corpus Christi, Texas
*Cover Photo credit to Fred Pena*
Table of Contents
1.. Introduction 1
1.1. Background of the Water Department 1
1.2. Purpose of the Plan 2
1.3. Public Involvement 2
1.4.Organization of the Water Conservation Plan 2
2. Supply Profile 4
2.1. Supply Sources 4
2.2. Potential Future Sources 7
2.3. Water Customers 7
2.4. Water Treatment Plant 8
2.5. Distribution 8
2.6. Master Meter 8
2.7. Wastewater Utility Profile 8
3. Demand Profile 9
3.1. Current population 9
3.2. Raw Water Diversions 10
3.3. Other Raw Water Demands 11
3.4. Treated Water Demands 11.
3.5. Seasonal Demands 13
3.6. Projected Populations and Demands 14
4. Goals 16
4.1. Benefits of conservation. 16
4.2. Water planning /conservation goals 16
4.3. Five and ten -year quantifiable conservation goads 17
4.4. Schedule for Implementing Plan 18
5. Water Conservation Practices 20
5.1. Introduction 20
5.2. Water Conservation Measures 20
5.2.1. Prohibition on Wasting Water. 21
5.2.2. Irrigation Timing 21
5.2.3. Restaurant Water Saving 21
5.3. Future Updates to Codes 21
5.4. Landscape Standard 22
Table of Contents
5.5. Rebates and Incentive Programs 23
5.5.1. Plumbers to People. 23
5.5.2. Rainwater Harvesting Rebates 23
5.5.3. Irrigation Consultation Program. 23
5.6. City -Led Programs 24
5.6.1. Use of Reclaimed Water. 24
5.6.2. Improvements to City -Owned Properties 25
5.6.3. Identifying and Repairing Leaks. 25
5.6.4. Park Water Conservation 25
5.6.5. Metering All Connections 26
5.6.6. Record Management. 26
5.6.7. System Water Audit and Water Loss. 27
5.6.8. Water Conservation Staff 28
5.7. Education 28
5.7.1. School Education. 29
5.7.2. Public Information 30
5.7.3. Water -Wise Landscape Design and Conservation Program. 32
5.8. Water Conservation Pricing 33
5.9. Coordination with Region N (Coastal Bend) Water Planning Group 33
5.10. Method to Monitor the Effectiveness of the Conservation Plan 34
5.11. Means of Implementation and Enforcement 34
5.12. Reservoir Systems and Operating Plan 34
6. Wholesale Customer Conservation 35
6.1.Introduction 35
6.2. Wholesale Customer Targets and Goals 35
6.3. Metering, Monitoring, and Records Management 36
6.4. Leak Detection and Repair 36
6.5. Contractual Requirements 36
6.6. Reservoir System Operating Plan 38
Appendices
A. Water and Wastewater Utility Profile 39
B. TCEQ 2001 Agreed Order on Freshwater Inflows. 54
C. Corpus Christi Water Rates 65
D. Reservoir Operating Plan 66
Table of Contents ii
Water Conservation Plan
1. Introduction
This Water Conservation Plan (WCP) is a guidebook and reference manual for the City of
Corpus Christi Water Department, its partners and customers. This introduction chapter outlines
the background of the City of Corpus Christi's Water Department, the purpose and reasoning of
the WCP, expected results, and an overview of its layout and organization.
1.1 Background of the Water Department
The City of Corpus Christi Water Department is a water utility that has been in operation for over
100 years. It currently serves nearly 500,000 residents of Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend
Region.
Its mission is to effectively manage the City's water supply, production, and distribution system
through the operation and maintenance of the water supply system in order to meet water
supply needs; to provide safe drinking water that meets state and federal regulations; to review
the design and construction of water facilities that ensure water system reliability and adequacy
to meet projected growth requirements; and to identify and meet consumer needs and
expectations. Our services strategy is to maintain a sufficient supply of water to meet the future
growth of our community; to improve efficiency and productivity to support customer
satisfaction; and to protect the environment.
The Water Department supplies water for municipal and industrial use in a seven - county service
area. Major raw (untreated) water customers include municipalities (Alice Water Authority,
Beeville Water Supply District, City of Mathis, San Patricio Municipal Water District) and
industries (Celanese and Flint Hills Resources). Treated water customers include Nueces
County Water Improvement District No. 4 (Port Aransas), San Patricio Municipal Water District,
South Texas Water Authority, and the Violet Water Supply Corporation. The Water Department
operates a water laboratory and water maintenance activity that oversees the repair and
replacement of transmission and distribution service water lines. The Water Department stays in
full compliance with all state and federal requirements.
The Water Department also has a well - established conservation program. The City was the first
in Texas to develop a Drought Contingency Plan in 1986, which served as a guide for state
officials. Since 1988 they have had a conservation coordinator and/or team of professionals
developing and implementing outreach programs to help reduce water waste and improve
efficiency. Conservation outreach includes everything from school education to the Xeriscape
Garden and is explained in detail in Chapter 5.
1
1.2 Purpose of the Plan
The purpose of this WCP is to ensure long -term water security and efficiency for the residents
and businesses served by the Corpus Christi Water Department. This long -term planning and
management is critical so that supplies of water will always meet and exceed the demands of
Coastal Bend customers. It allows water supplies to be sustainable as the region grows. Short -
term water security and planning during dry times is explained in a separate Drought
Contingency Plan, which is included as a supporting document.
As a water supplier, the City of Corpus Christi is also required to have its Plan adhere to Title
30, of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 288 (30 TAC § 288). This Plan contains all
of the provisions required in 30 TAC § 288, including conservation plans for municipal users and
wholesale providers, and a drought contingency plan.
General and specific goals of the Plan are explained in Chapter 4.
1.3 Public Involvement
The City provided opportunity for citizens to receive information about the Plan, to make
comments and to provide input into the preparation of the WCP at a public meeting held on April
17, 2013. A Public Notice was published in the Corpus Christi Caller -Times with the date, time
and location of the meeting. Notice was also posted on the City's website (www.cctexas.com).
In addition, copies of the Water Conservation Plan draft were distributed to several public
locations around the City and were published on the City's website.
1.4 Organization of the Water Conservation Plan
This revised WCP is organized in a way to make information easy to find and understand.
Unlike previous versions, this plan is a separate document from the Drought Contingency Plan
(DCP). The chapters guide the reader through the most important issues and are shown below.
The end of the WCP contains appendices of other documents that are useful for the reader to
understand main chapters.
• Chapter 1: Introduction — the basics of the Water Department, purpose of the Plan, and
organization of the Plan.
• Chapter 2: Supply Profile — details of the supply of the Water Department including the
water sources, distribution system, and water treatment plant.
• Chapter 3: Demand Profile — details of the current customer population and demand,
and estimated projections of future population and demands. Demands are provided in
totals and divided into sectors.
2
• Chapter 4: Goals — benefits of conservation; overall water planning and conservation
goals; quantifiable five- and ten -year conservation goals and water loss goals based on
per capita consumption.
• Chapter 5: Water Conservation Practices -- efforts that encourage and/or enforce the
conservation of water, or that increase the efficiency of water use.
• Appendices: includes the Utility Profile, Summary of TCEQ 2001 Agreed Order
Provisions, Water Rates, and Reservoir Operating Plan.
3
2. Supply Profile
This Chapter explains the three sources from which the City gets water supply to its customers
in the Coastal Bend region. In addition to the supply sources, the distribution system, water
treatment plant, and the wastewater utility profile are briefly explained.
2.1 Supply Sources
The City of Corpus Christi Water Department obtains its water solely from surface water
sources. These surface water bodies are Lake Corpus Christi, Choke Canyon Reservoir, and
Lake Texana. Details of each of these water bodies are explained below.
Lake Corpus Christi
Lake Corpus Christi is a water storage reservoir located approximately 33 miles northwest of the
City. It was completed on April 26, 1958 with the dedication of the Wesley Seale Dam. When
full, the lake level is 94 feet above sea level and has a capacity of 257,260 acre -feet (83.8 billion
gallons). The surface area of the reservoir is 19,251 acres (30.1 mi2).
Lake Corpus Christi is part of the Nueces River Basin (or watershed). It receives inflow from the
Nueces, Frio, and Atascosa Rivers. Inflow from the Frio River also goes through the Choke
Canyon Reservoir. Supply in Lake Corpus Christi relies on rainfall from the whole Nueces /Frio
River basin. These two watersheds covers a combined area of 16,764 square miles and reach
as far north as Rocksprings in Edwards county, and west close to Eagle Pass in Maverick
County.
Choke Canyon Reservoir
Choke Canyon Reservoir is located approximately 70 miles northwest of Corpus Christi. It has a
capacity of 695,271 acre -feet (227 billion gallons). When it is full, the water level is 220.5 feet
above sea level, and the surface area is 25,989 acres (40.6 mi2).
The United States Bureau of Reclamation financed, designed, and built the reservoir, which was
dedicated on June 8, 1982. The City operates and maintains the facility.
Choke Canyon Reservoir receives inflow from the Frio River Basin. This watershed covers an
area of 5,529 square miles from Three Rivers in the south to Kerr County in the north. Water
from the reservoir drains into the Frio River, which drains into the Nueces River and then Lake
Corpus Christi.
Lake Texana
The third surface source of water for the City is Lake Texana in Jackson County, located
approximately 90 miles northeast of Corpus Christi. When full, the lake has a capacity of
161,085 acre -feet (52.5 billion gallons) and the water level is 44 feet above sea level. Its surface
area when full is 9,727 acres (15.2 mi2).
4
Lake Texana was formed with the completion of the Palmetto Bend Dam in 1980 by the U.S.
Bureau of Reclamation. It is on the Navidad River, which is part of the Lavaca River Basin and
mainly flows through Lavaca and Jackson Counties. The Lake is currently owned and operated
by the Lavaca - Navidad River Authority (LNRA).
The City purchased a permit to withdraw 41,840 acre-feet from the LNRA in the 1990s after a
severe drought between 1993 and 1996. During that time, Nueces River Basin stream -flows
were the lowest recorded, even lower than the much - remembered 1950s Drought.
To deliver that water to Corpus Christi, the City, the Nueces River Authority, the Port of Corpus
Christi and the Lavaca - Navidad River Authority worked together to deliver water via a new
pipeline from Lake Texana. The 101 - mile -long pipeline was named for the late Mary Rhodes,
mayor of Corpus Christi from 1991 to 1997, in recognition of her special contribution to the
development of water resources for the residents and industries of the Coastal Bend. The
pipeline came online in September 1998. It pumps water through a 64 -inch pipeline from Lake
Texana directly to the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant in CalaIlen. Approximately 40 to 70
percent of the water used by Corpus Christi comes from Lake Texana through the Mary Rhodes
Pipeline.
A map of the regional water supply system and watershed is show on the next page in Figure
2.1.
5
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Figure 2.1. Map of the Coasta
CO
2.2 Potential Future Sources (Undeveloped Sources)
To meet the demands of a growing community, the City has been taking steps to ensure future
water supplies. In 1999, the City purchased senior water rights to 35,000 acre -feet of water per
year in the Colorado River. This water will be transported to Corpus Christi via a pipeline that
will be constructed, in the future, from the Colorado River to the Mary Rhodes Pipeline at Lake
Texana.
In addition, the City is involved with the Corpus Christi Aquifer Storage and Recovery
Conservation Distrcit (CCASRCD). This groundwater conservation district was formed in 2005
by the 79th Texas Legislature and is:
"...dedicated to protecting groundwater supplies within the District, developing and maintaining
an aquifer storage and recovery program, providing the most efficient use of groundwater
resources to supplement existing supplies, while controlling and preventing waste of
groundwater."
The CCASRCD is currently exploring the possibility of using groundwater aquifers as storage for
extra supply for the City. During wetter - than - normal years, the City would pump excess,
partially - treated water into the aquifer storage area, which is not subject to water loss from
evaporation. Water from the storage area could then be used during drought periods. A similar
project by the San Antonio Water System stores over 90,000 acre -feet of water as an
emergency supply.
Other potential future sources of water supply are still being researched and explored. A
detailed list of water management solutions for the Coastal Bend Region can be found in the
Region N 2011 Regional Water Plan, found at:
https://vvvvw.twdb.state.tx.us/waterolanninq/nNo/reoions/n/.
2.3 Water Customers
The City has both wholesale and retail customers who purchase water from the supply system.
Wholesale Customers
The wholesale customers are water utilities or businesses who purchase the water in bulk, and
then bill their own respective customers. The City provides both raw and treated water to
wholesale customers. Those wholesale customers receiving raw water pump it directly from the
source. The following wholesale customers receive raw water: Alice, Beeville, Mathis,
Robstown, and San Patricio Municipal Water District (MWD). In addition, Celanese and Flint
Hills Resources receive raw water, but are industrial, not wholesale customers. Those
utilities /companies have their own water treatment faciffities to treat the water to potable levels.
77
Other wholesale customers purchase the water from the City after it has been treated at the
O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant (explained in next section). These customers include: Port
Aransas, San Patricia MWD, South Texas Water Authority, and Violet Water Supply.
Retail Customers
The remaining customers receive their water directly from the City. These retail customers are
billed individually. They receive their water after it has gone through the O.N. Stevens Water
Treatment Plant.
2.4 Water Treatment Plant
The O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant, located in Ca!alien, is the only water treatment facility
for the City. All raw water is pumped directly to the Plant from either the Nueces River or Lake
Texana (via the Mary Rhodes Pipeline). Once in the Plant, Nueces River water is blended with
Lake Texana water and there treated to meet drinking water standards of the Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). After being treated for human consumption, large master
pumps help to distribute water into the City and to its wholesale water customers.
Approximately 25 billion gallons of water are treated each year. The O. N. Stevens Water
Treatment Plant has a rated capacity of 167 million gallons per day, well above the current peak
summer demand of around 100 million gallons per day.
2.5 Distribution
The Water Department has an extensive distribution network that transports water from the O.N.
Stevens Water Treatment Plan throughout the City to every customer, both individual and
wholesale. The Water Department operates five pumping stations and four elevated storage
tanks, and maintains 1,600 miles of pipeline.
2.6 Master Meter
In order to keep track of diverted water, the City uses a series of Master Meters from its points
of diversion. The City itself uses two meters to track water use from the Nueces River system
and Lake Texana. In addition, City staff keeps monthly records through meters of seven other
wholesale and industrial customers who divert raw water from City's water supply.
2.7 Wastewater Utility Profile
The Utility Profile, a detailed summary of the City's water and wastewater systems is included
in Appendix A.
88
3. Demand Profile
This chapter explains demands placed on the water supply system of the City. Water demand is
a measure of how much water is being used. Knowing current demand is critical for the City's
daily operations. Projecting future demands helps City workers plan for future growth.
The region's population provides the basis of its water demands. Therefore this chapter will
begin in 3.1 with an overview of current population figures of Corpus Christi and the Coastal
Bend Region.
The water demands in the Coastal Bend area are complex because of the various customers
that the City serves. Besides its own retail customers in and around Corpus Christi, the City
provides wholesale water to utilities that serve 18 other cities and 2 businesses. These people
and businesses have their own unique water demands. In addition, there are other demands on
the supply system, including evaporation from the reservoirs and environmental inflows into the
Nueces Bay and Delta.
Because the demands on the supply system are so complex, the next sections are divided as
follows: Section 3.2 will discuss demands based on raw water diversions, or water taken directly
from the supply source. Section 3.3 will include evaporation and environmental inflows. Section
3.4 will discuss demand on treated water, or water that is consumed in the City. This section will
also look at demand based on customer type. Section 3.5 will discuss seasonal demand,
including summertime peaks. In Section 3.6, projected demands and populations will be
discussed.
3.1 Current Population
According to the U.S. Census, the 2010 population of the Water Department's total customer
area was close to a half a million people. The majority of this was in the City of Corpus Christi
with a population of 305,215. The other 18 cities that depend on Corpus Christi for their water,
and their respective 2010 populations, are show in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1 Populations (2010) of cities in the Coastal Bend serviced by the City of Corpus Christi
Water Department.
City Population (2010) I City
Aqua Dulce
Banquete 424
'.
:
Bishop
812
Population (2010)
Mathis
Port Aransas
4,927
2,383
3,482
1,960
affirm
3,134 1 Riviera
�A.
atrA
Ingleside 9,361 Three Rivers 1,851
99
3.2 Raw Water Diversions
The raw water demand is the amount of water taken directly (diverted) out of the water supply
system. It provides the most basic view of demand on the system and gives an overview of
where the water is going. As was explained in Chapter 2, the City has several raw water
customers in addition to diverting its own water.
After raw water has been diverted from either the Nueces River System or Lake Texana, it is
pumped to a water treatment plant. All of the raw water customers have their own water
treatment facilities, which clean and disinfect the water before sending it to their customers.
Each have their own demands, based on retail customer characteristics (Treated water
demands are explained in Section 3.4).
In 2011, the total amount of water that was diverted from the City's water supply system for
consumption was 132,649 acre -feet (43.2 bil gal). This included water from both the Nueces
River System and Lake Texana. The raw water demands of each customer from the Nueces
River System are shown below in Table 3.2.
Table 3.2 Raw water demands (diversions) in 2011 from Nueces River System by customer (acre -
feet and million gallons).
Raw Water Customer Diversion Amount (ac -ft) 1 Diversion Amount (MG)
Beeville
gee
1,471
Celanese
ye
aH_ l
San Patricio MWD
Corpus Christi
997
11,476
57,934
325
18,878
The raw water demands of the San Patricio MWD and Corpus Christi from Lake Texana and
Mary Rhodes Pipeline are shown below in Table 3.3.
Table 3.3. Raw water demand (diversions) in 2011 from Lake Texas & Mary Rhodes Pipeline by
Customer (acre -ft and million gallons).
Raw Water Customer
Diversion Amount (ac -ft) Diversion Amount (MG)
Corpus Christi
In 2011, the City of Corpus Christi received 65% of its raw water from the Nueces River System
and 35% from Lake Texana and the Mary Rhodes Pipeline.
10
3.3 Other Raw Water Demands
One uncontrolled demand of water placed on the supply system is evaporation. As mentioned in
Chapter 2, the two reservoirs of the Nueces River supply system cover a large surface area of
45,240 acres when full. Because of this large area, combined with high evapotranspiration
rates, water loss to evaporation is high, especially in recent hot, dry years. In 2011, the
combined evaporation loss in Choke Canyon Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi was 228,722
ac -ft (74.5 bil gal). This averages to 204 million gallons of evaporative Toss per day in 2011.
Another raw water demand is environmental flow. After the impoundment of Choke Canyon
Reservoir in 1982, freshwater flowing in the Nueces River Delta decreased dramatically. In
order to maintain an ecosystem balance in the Delta, the City worked with TCEQ, the Nueces
River Authority, and the City of Three Rivers to develop an Agreed Order in 1995. This
document, revised in 2001, outlines required monthly freshwater inflows by the City into the
Delta (Table 3.4). The 2001 Agreed Ordered is included in Appendix B.
Table 3.4. Target Inflows to Nueces Bay from the 2001 Agreed Order (*When lake levels are above
70 %)
Month Target Inflows (ac-ft) Month Target Inflows (ac -ft)
February 2,500
August
October
25,000 December 4,500
3.4 Treated Water Demands
This section focuses solely on the treated water customers of the City of Corpus Christi.
In 2011, the Corpus Christi Utility Business Office billed the use of 78,146 ac-ft (25.5 bil gal) of
water, coming from the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant in CalaIlen.
Separating treated demand by customer class, industrial customers represent the highest
demand. Of the 78,146 ac -ft consumed in 2011, industrial customers used just over 26,000 ac-ft
or 34 percent of the total. Residential customers consumed 23,900 ac-ft (7.8 bil gal),
representing 31 percent of the total. Commercial water use accounted for 15 percent and
wholesale customers consumed 9 percent. The remaining water users, multi - family and
institutional (dedicated to public service, i.e. schools, hospitals, government uses, etc.),
used seven and five percent, respectively. See Figure 3.4 below.
11
Figure 3.4. Treated Water Use by Customer Class (wholesale included)
Wholesale
9%
Institutional
5% >'. a: .. Residential -
Single Family
30%
Commercial
15%
Industrial
34%
Residential -
Multi-family
7%
In 2011, there was an average of 89,205 treated water connections. These connections can be
divided into the customer classes of residential, multi - family, commercial, industrial, wholesale,
and government use. Figure 3.4.1. below shows a breakdown of connections by customer type.
Both wholesale (4 connections) and industrial (23 connections) customers have so few
connections that they constitute far less than one percent each of the total connections.
Residential customers make up the largest percentage of connections with 88 percent.
Following residential are commercial customers with eight percent of the connections and multi-
family and government, both with two percent of the connections.
12
Figure 3.4.1 2011 Connections by Customer Class (Treated Water Only)
Commercial
Residential -
Multi- family
1%
7
Institutional
3.5 Seasonal Demands
Residential -
Single Family
90%
Though the treated water demand for 2011 was 78,146 ac -ft (25.5 bil gal), the consumption was
not evenly distributed throughout the year. The drought of 2011 was one of the worst in
recorded history for Texas, so water demands for irrigation were high, especially during summer
months. This can be seen below in Figure 3.3, which shows seasonal demand of treated water
in 2011. Customer demand on water ranged from 1.6 billion gallons in February to 2.7 billion
gallons in September.
Seasonal demands by customers lead to "peak demands." These peak demands put the most
amount of stress on operations, including distribution and treatment. It is extremely important
that peak demand for the city remains under 167 million gallons per day, which is the maximum
volume that the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant can treat. Figure 3.5 below shows daily
treatment plant production volumes for each month of 2011 as minimums, maximums, and
averages. The maximum values of each month (in green) represent the peak demand volume
for that month. Even though 2011 was one of the hottest and driest years on record, maximum
production never reached above 100 MGD.
13
100
2
a
a 90
a
c
O • 80
0
70
o 60
0
40
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month 2011
Figure 3.5. Daily production volumes of the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant, showing
seasonal demand as minimums, maximums, and averages for each month of 2011.
3.6 Projected Populations and Demands
The Texas Water Development Board estimates population projections for regional water
planning groups. For Corpus Christi, they estimate that the population could reach 470,000 by
the year 2060. This increase in population will result in an increase in water demand.
The TWDB estimates that municipal water demand (residential and commercial) for Corpus
Christi will increase 40% by 2060, reaching 86,962 ac -ft per year. These projections are for the
City of Corpus Christi only. Other cities that rely on Corpus Christi for water will also have
increases in population and demand, resulting in an even higher demand on the supply system.
However, these projections only factor in a minor decrease in per capita water use from
conservation measures. A more aggressive conservation program could help municipal demand
level off or decrease, even with an increase in population. A goal of 1% annual reduction in
municipal consumption (greater than the 0.9% population growth) would defer the need for
additional supplies, at least for the next 15 years. This goal, along with others, is explained next
in Chapter 4.
Projecting industrial consumption, which comprises over 30% of the City's water use, is
challenging considering the large volumes that one additional customer can demand. The
Region N Water Planning Group projects treated industry water demand could increase by
14
15,422 acre -feet by 2060. Other industrial demands not receiving treated water from the City
are expected to increase by 29,000 acre -feet by 2060.
15
4. Goals
This Chapter explains the water conservation goals of the City. These goals are what the City
aims to achieve by the implementation of this Plan. Included in these goals are both qualitative
goals and measureable, quantifiable goals. Before these goals are discussed, the first section
(4.1) explains the benefits of conservation. This will give reason and justification for the City's
conservation efforts and provide a driving factor for the goals.
4.1 Benefits of Conservation
There are several benefits to having a strong conservation program for Corpus Christi. These
benefits not only include maintaining the City's water supply, but also include saving the City
and residents money by deferring capital expenses. Other benefits may be more difficult to
quantify or may take years to materialize, but that does not lessen their importance. Each
benefit of conservation listed below will help the City of Corpus Christi grow and thrive at a
sustainable rate. The benefits of conservation include:
• Sustainable Water Supply — By reducing per capita water use, the City can grow
without compromising supplies for future generations.
• Defers Capital Costs — Reductions in demand delay the need for new water supplies
and thus defer the costs necessary to construct or buy new supplies. Reducing demand
also delays other costs associated with new supplies such as electricity, labor, and
treatment.
• Reduces Peak Demand — Peak demand puts the most stress on the Water
Department's operations. Conservation measures would help to reduce this peak
demand.
• Reduces Energy Costs — The City spends a significant portion of its electric bill on
moving water through its distribution system. Conservation would reduce the amount of
water pumped, thus reducing electric costs.
• Reduces Wastewater Costs — Less water being used by residents equals less
wastewater that needs to be treated. Having less wastewater will save the City in
treatment costs.
• More Environmental Inflows — By reducing water use, the City will have more stored
water available to release into the Nueces Delta and Bay, providing needed freshwater
inflows to the ecosystem.
• Less Rural Impact — By reducing water use, Corpus Christi will not need to divert water
from rural regions or construct a new reservoir on rural properties.
4.2 Water Planning /Conservation Goals and Objectives
The main, overall goal of this Plan is to reduce total per capita consumption by one percent
annually over the next decade. This goal uses the 2012 figure of 205 gallons per capita per day
(gpcd) as the benchmark for reduction. Another related goal is to reduce summertime peak
16
demand. To achieve these goals, the City has several specific conservation objectives. Those
objectives include:
• Reduce water loss by one percent annually
• Educate the public on water conservation practices
• Educate the public on the City's water resources
• Implement incentive and/or rebate programs to encourage conservation
• Convert some drought restrictions into regular conservation measures
• Adopt new water conservation regulations
• Enforce the conservation regulations
• Adopt a water - billing rate scale which encourages stronger conservation efforts
• Implement conservation measures at city -owned facilities
4.3 Five and Ten -Year Quantifiable Conservation Goals
As mentioned in the previous section, the goal of the Plan is to decrease total per capita water
consumption by one percent each year. To track the progress of the goal, the City records the
gpcd every year and sets five and ten year goals. This gpcd is measured by taking the volume
of water produced by the O.N. Steven Water Treatment Plant, excluding water sold to treated
wholesale customers, and dividing it by the permanent population and then dividing it by 365
days. Because industry uses close to 40% of the treated water, Corpus Christi's gpcd is greater
than most Texas cities. In addition, there is high variability in annual consumption due to
changes in weather. Residents tend to use much more water in dry years to keep landscape
vegetation alive. The total gpcd, residential gpcd, and water loss are show in Tables 4.1 -4.3
below. The five and ten year goals listed below in Table 4.4, and are based on a 1% annual
reduction from the 2012 consumption of 205 gpcd.
Table 4.1. Total Gallons Per Capita Per Da s pcd in 2012
otai>V System ei pu
",a �,�E• °��E�:
ons°�
� °s ?am a9;
9n ,
1. Equals water produced + wholesale imported — wholesale exported
2. Equals system input + permanent population + 365 days
Table 4.2. Residential Gallons Per Capita Per Day (gpcd) in 2012
sidential
1. Single family+ multi- family
2. Equals residential use + residential population 365 days
'?:zaa'. ^.:�f'h3.��t:n... �, ., r� ... «.9:j6'6 3.,> r§ �:. �' eiaa'i:"p3. ;::�b�f15j §.'aF�....
� yen iaf l opulation % de
Table 4.3. Total Water Loss (Fiscal Year 2012)
otal Water ,Les in Gal
opt; 1 ion
Per en
ta
17
1. Equals real + apparent + unidentified losses
2. Equals total water loss + permanent population _ 365 days
Table 4.4. Targets and Goals
Date
et for Tot a
GPCD
Target for
Residential
GPCD
ear
Target for W at ' a J Target for $.
ossi3 ate r loss`
Percentage
Ten -Year Target
Date:
2023
184 69 1,695,000,000
4.4 Schedule for Implementing Plan
In order to achieve the targets and goals of the plan, the City will use the schedule below in
Table 4.5 to gradually introduce new or strengthen existing conservation measures and
programs. These programs will utilize all and possibly additional measures as detailed in
Chapter 5. The measures aim to reduce per capita water use through changes in habit,
improvements in efficient devices, decreases in water waste, and smart planning. This schedule
is not all inclusive and is a living document and is therefore subject to change.
Conservation Measure
Purpose
C
School education
ti . m3 g. i �,a J
Educate youth about water
resources and the importance
' of conservation
Target Date
Ongoing
Xeriscape education
Educate the public about 1 Ongoing
i Xeriscaping through the i
i
Xeriscape garden, fliers, and
the annual symposium
System Water Audit and
Water Loss
To identify areas of water loss
to target remediation efforts
18
Prohibition on wasting water Reduce consumption by
prohibiting the wasting of
water, regardless of drought
conditions (see 5.2.11
Restaurant water saving
Reducing water waste by
requiring restaurants to only
serve water upon request
Rainwater harvesting rebate
Reduce potable
encouraging
harvesting`
demand by August 1, 2013
rainwater
19
5. Water Conservation Practices
5.1 Introduction
Water conservation is any practice that reduces the use of water, whether through changes in
practices or improvements in the efficiencies of water devices. Reducing the use of water
reduces the stress placed on water supplies and their ecosystems. It also frees up water
supplies to allow for population and economic growth without having to search for "new" water.
Conservation is a cost - effective and commonsense approach to ensuring a sustainable water
supply for generations to come.
The City has a long- standing commitment to promoting water conservation in the community. It
has adopted several practices, ranging from public education to conservation pricing, that
encourage a reduction in excessive water use. As was mentioned in Chapter 4 (Goals), the
long term goal of the conservation program is to reduce per capita water use by one percent per
year over the next decade. This Chapter highlights all of the ways that the City intends to reach
that goal.
Chapter 5 begins with conservation measures (5.2). These are regulated best - management
practices that are in effect year- round, regardless of the drought condition or the levels of the
City's reservoirs. Section 5.3 explains planned changes to development and building codes that
would make buildings and landscapes more water efficient, while Section 5.4 explains the
current code related to landscaping. Section 5.5 explains Rebates and Incentives, which include
Plumbers to People, Rainwater Harvesting Rebate, and an Irrigation Consultation Program.
Section 5.6, discusses City -Led Programs, including reclaimed water use, improvements to
City -Owned properties, park water conservation, metering, system audits, and a water
conservation staff. This is followed by Section 5.7, which highlights the educational efforts by
the City, including both schools and public programs, and Section 5.8 on water conservation
pricing. The last two parts of Section 5 explain coordination with the Region N Water Planning
Group, methods to monitor the effectiveness of the various conservation practices, and means
of implementation and enforcement.
5.2 Water Conservation Measures
As water demands increase and water supplies become Tess available, it is critical that water
conservation measures become regular, year -round best management practices. They are
common sense approaches that reduce water waste and improve efficiency. This section lists
those water conservation measures that are regulated and enforceable. They are the only
measures in the WCP that are enforceable. The Water Resource Management Ordinance
(Section 55) gives the City the authority to enforce these measures and is included in Appendix
A. Explanations of each of these conservation measures are shown below:
20
5.2.1 Prohibition on Wasting Water
Under the Prohibition on Wasting Water Conservation Measure, it is unlawful to waste
water. Actions leading to the wasting of water are prohibited and will be enforced. No
person shall:
1. Allow water to run off property into gutters or streets.
2. Permit or maintain defective plumbing in a home, business establishment or any
location where water is used on the premises. Defective plumbing includes out -of- repair
water closets, underground leaks, defective or leaking faucets and taps.
3. Allow water to flow constantly through a tap, hydrant, valve, or otherwise by any use
of water connected to the City water system.
4. Use any non - recycling decorative water fountain.
5. Allow irrigation heads or sprinklers to spray directly on paved surfaces such as
driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks in public right -of -ways;
6. Operate an irrigation system at water pressure higher than recommended, causing
heads to mist, or to operate with broken heads.
5.2.2 Irrigation Timing
Landscape irrigation is most efficient during early- morning or nighttime hours, when
there is less potential for evaporation from the sun. This conservation measure prohibits
irrigation by spray or sprinklers between the hours of 10 am and 6 pm. It is still
permissible to water by hand or by drip irrigation at any time of the day.
5.2.3 Restaurant Water Saving
Under this conservation measure, commercial dining facilities must only serve water
upon request. In addition, any hand -held dish - rinsing wand must have an automatic
shut -off.
5.3 Future Updates to Codes
Another water conservation practice that will help to conserve water in the long term is updates
and improvements to codes. The City has adopted several codes for development and
construction, which are updated on a regular basis. There are several codes which could be
updated or amended to include requirements for water conservation. A list of potential updates
to codes is included below. The process of updating these codes is ongoing and will be included
21
in the WCP as an amendment when complete. These hulleted items are proposed updates only
and are listed here as a placeholder.
• Car Wash Water Conservation — Many commercial car washes in the region do not
recycle water in their operations. Under this proposed measure, new car washes
using an automatic system would need to reuse a minimum of fifty (50) percent of
water from vehicle rinses in subsequent washes. All car washes that are self - service
would have to have spray wands that do not emit more than three (3) gallons of
water per minute.
• Water Saving Plumbing Fixtures — This proposed conservation measure would
require plumbing fixtures to meet or exceed the standards set by the WaterSense
label of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The fixtures would include
gravity flush toilets, bathroom aerators, showerheads, and urinals. This measure
would apply to new plumbing installations
• Laundry Facility Conservation — Under this proposed measure, any new
installation of a coin - operated washing machine would have to meet or exceed the
standards for the most current Energy Star label of the EPA and Department of
Energy. This measure applies to any location that may have a coin operated facility,
such as Laundromats, apartment communities, or university residential buildings.
• Cooling Tower Recycling —This proposed conservation measure would require
newly constructed cooling towers to utilize recycled water for a minimum of four (4)
cycles.
• Rainwater Harvesting —This proposed conservation measure would require any new
building construction with a minimum roof surface area of ten - thousand (10,000)
square feet to install a rainwater collection system. The stored water could be used
for non- potable indoor use and/or outdoor irrigation.
• Condensate Collection —Under this proposed measure, any new commercial
building with an air conditioning system would be required to divert and collect the
condensate water. This water could be used in cooling tower operation or landscape
irrigation.
• Xeriscape Landscaping —This proposed measure would allow xeriscaping as an
option for landscaping in any residential neighborhood or subdivision, regardless of
deed restrictions. It also would require homebuilders and/or developers who are
constructing new, single- family residential homes to offer a xeriscaping option.
• Turfgrass Species Requirement—This proposed conservation measure would
promote the use of turfgrass appropriately suited for a particular site in order to save
on irrigation water. For any new construction, the turfgrass species /variety installed
on a property would have to be chosen from a list of approved species. In addition,
irrigated turfgrass would not be able to exceed 50% of the landscaped area.
22
5.4 Landscaping Standard
The City adopted a Landscape Standard as part of its Unified Development Code (Section 7.3
of the UDC). This standard requires landscape plantings within commercial developments to
enhance the beauty of the City. The ordinance assigns points to the various plant materials. To
encourage the use of water -wise landscaping, drought - tolerant and low -water -use species are
assigned a higher point value. To comply, a landscape design must surpass an established
threshold number of points, which is achieved more easily with the water -wise and drought -
tolerant plants.
5.5 Rebates and Incentive Programs
This section explains the programs that the City offers b provide assistance to customers who
wish to implement water conserving practices. These programs include the current Plumbers to
People program and proposed Rainwater Harvesting Rebate Programs and an Irrigation
Consultation Program. Additional rebate and incentive options are being researched.
5:5.1 Plumbers to People
Plumbers to People is an affordability program to provide plumbing assistance to low -
income residential customers seeking to repair plumbing fixtures in their homes. The
intent of the program is two -fold: (1) to eliminate the cycle of uncollected high water bills
resulting from water leaks; (2) to promote water conservation.
Persons eligible for the program must contact the Utility Business Office (UBO) to
identify their eligibility for the program. Eligibility is based on the individual's income
limits and need for assistance.
The UBO office arranges for a contracted plumber to do repairs at the individual's
home. The plumber will fix minor leaks or other issues, then send a report and invoice
back to the UBO office.
5.5.2 Rainwater .Harvesting Rebate
The City is planning a rainwater harvesting rebate program. Under this program,
customers of the Water Department will be eligible for a $50 rebate for the purchase
and installation of a rain barrel. The customer shall submit an application for the rebate
and is subject to a system inspection by the Water Department. There will be specific
requirements, such as a minimal size (55 gallons) and mandatory screening to prevent
mosquito entry. The Water Department plans to begin the program in late 2013.
5.5.3 Irrigation Consultation Program
The City is planning an Irrigation Consultation Program to reduce water waste and
improve efficiency on large, existing irrigation systems. The service will be free to
commercial sites and tells property owners how they can make meaningful changes to
23
their irrigation system. It will begin with a consultation request from the property owner
of a large irrigation system. The Water Department will coordinate a consultation with a
contracted, licensed irrigator for that property. The licensed irrigator will perform a
thorough inspection of the irrigation system's performance.
A report with recommendations will be provided to the property owner and the Water
Department. The recommendations may include ways that the property owners can
drastically reduce water consumption. The Water Department will analyze each report
and may provide assistance with the recommended changes, depending on the cost
and benefits. One year after the inspection, a follow-up will be performed to see if
recommendations were implemented and how much water consumption was
decreased.
The program will begin in late 2013 to only commercial water accounts.
5.6 City -Led Water Conservation Programs
This section explains the programs that the City has initiated in order to improve its own
efficiency and promote conservation to its residents. These programs include the use of
reclaimed water, improvements in City -owned properties, park water conservation, accurate
water metering, and a system to audit water loss. It also includes the use of a permanent, full -
time water conservation staff.
5.6.1 Use of Reclaimed Water
Reclaimed water by definition is, "Domestic or municipal wastewater which has been
treated to a quality suitable for a beneficial use, pursuant to the provisions of this
chapter and other applicable rules and permits" (30 TAC §210.3(24)). The City currently
has five reclaimed water use customers and recognizes that the direct use of reclaimed
water is an effective method of reducing potable water usage. Corpus Christi reclaimed
water is used primarily for irrigating recreational tracts.
Historically, Corpus Christi began its reuse program in the early 1960s when it began
delivering reclaimed effluent to its first customer, the Gabe Lozano Golf Course. Over
the next several decades, the City acquired additional reuse customers which include
other golf courses, parks, and recreational areas. Approximately 2.5 percent of the
City's overall effluent flows are reused as reclaimed water.
In 2011, the City supplied 525 million gallons of reclaimed water to its irrigation
customers, saving an estimated 100% of the same amount in potable water.
To facilitate expansion of its reuse program in the future, the City will identify and rank
industrial, commercial, and institutional (101) customers according to volume of water
use, and investigate the feasibility of using reclaimed water. The City will also
24
investigate reuse opportunities within its own accounts or with third parties outside its
service area. The City owns several public areas that are candidates for reuse.
5.6.2 Improvements in City -owned Properties
In order to be a representative of its conservation message, the City has pushed for
increased Xeriscape landscaping of City -owned properties. This includes water -wise
landscaping at the Water Department building, and the Xeriscape Design Garden and
Learning Center at the Museum and Science and History in downtown Corpus Christi
(see Section 5.6.3). The Water Department will encourage the future conversion of City
landscaping to more water -wise design.
Also, the City has been proactive in replacing out- dated, inefficient plumbing fixtures in
its buildings. In addition, the City plans to install a rainwater harvesting system at the
Water Utilities building to be used for on -site irrigation.
5.6.3 Identifying and Repairing Leaks
The Water Department has a full team of employees committed to identifying and
repairing leaks in water distribution throughout the City. A crew of round - the -clock
responders follow the procedure below to find and fix a leak:
1. A first responder is sent to the location to identify and mark the priority of the
leak. Response time is 30 minutes to an hour.
2. Crews begin to turn the needed valves to isolate the leaking line. Line locates are
called in to mark all other utility lines in the area of the leak prior to repairs.
Depending on the severity of the leak these locates can take up to approx. 24
hours
3. After line locates are complete, Distribution Leak crews respond to the leak and
make all needed repairs.
4. After repairs are complete, the D & D crews back fill the area and replace grass
as needed.
5.6.4 Park Water Conservation
The City of Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation Department manages two golf
courses, two large City -wide parks, five recreation centers, four decorative fountains,
eight public swimming pools, and more than 200 neighborhood parks, some with
irrigated athletic fields.
Because many of the parks in the City require irrigation, it is critical that proper
conservation measures are in place so the City demonstrates and promotes those
measures to the public. The Water Department works with the Parks and Recreation
25
Department to implement several water conservation practices within the park system.
Some of these measures include:
1. Converting manual irrigation systems to automatic irrigation systems.
2. Including the parks properties in the water system audit.
3. Voluntarily adopting Landscape Ordinance provisions of the Corpus Christi
Zoning Ordinance (explained in Section 5.2.12).
4. Replacing several spray irrigation heads with drip irrigation.
Some of the conservation measures that the City is pursuing for the future include:
1. Updating automatic irrigation systems with a "smart" Baseline Controller, which
can remotely control up to 50 irrigation zones with 10 different programs. These
include moisture sensors in the soil.
2. Implementing an irrigation consultation program to target specific areas where
water efficiency improvements can be made.
3. Converting turfgrass species to more site - appropriate varieties to reduce water
USE.
To track the progress of water conservation in the parks, the Water Department will
gather the following:
1. Water savings resulting from the offset of potable water use by irrigating with
reclaimed waste water.
2. Water savings attributable to the repairs of leaks
3. Changes to irrigation systems, retrofits, or upgrades; regular leak detection;
maintenance policies, and estimated water savings from conservation practices.
4. Estimated water savings attributable to the changes implemented.
5. Costs of repairs, equipment upgrades, or new equipment installed.
The Water Department will evaluate data from sites before and after significant
irrigation system changes or upgrades. The City maintains performance measure
software to monitor the progress of leaks repaired. The Maximo software will identify
individual categories to estimate the volume of water savings attributable to repairs of
leaks.
5.6.5 Metering All Connections
Metering is a critical aspect in water conservation. It provides a method for customers to
relate their water usage to their utility bill. For the City, meters help keep track of water
use in order to target areas of inefficiency or locate areas where there may be potential
leaks. New technology allows the city to track water use remotely and alert employees
when there are spikes in water use among customers.
The following elements are part of the City's on -going metering program:
1. Required metering of ail connections.
26
2. A policy for installation of adequate, proper -sized meters as determined by a
customer's current water use patterns.
3. Direct utility metering of each duplex, triplex, and four -plex unit, whether each is
on its own separate lot or there are multiple buildings on a single commercial lot.
4. Metering of all utility and publicly owned facilities.
5. Use of construction meters and access keys to account for water used in new
construction.
6. Implementation of the State requirements in HB 2404, passed by the 77th
Legislature Regular Session and implemented through Texas Water Code
13.502, which requires all new apartments be either directly metered by the utility
or submetered by the owner.
7. Annual testing and maintenance of all meters larger than two inches. Regular
replacement of 5/8" and 3/4" meters after 15 years of service.
8. Replacement of meter registers or entire meter every eight years.
9. An accounting of water savings and revenue gains through the implementation of
the Water Department's meter repair and replacement procedures.
Each year the Water Department estimates its annual water savings from the program.
Savings can be estimated based upon a statistical sample analyzed as part of the
meter repair and replacement program.
The City maintains a meter replacement policy based upon a customer's concern about
the accuracy of his meter. Annual records of replaced meters are maintained through
the City's Maximo software. Meter replacement takes precedence over meter repair due
to the cost of repairing old meters. The City has improved efficiency and cut water loss
by purging old meters and converting standard meters to automated meter reading
(AMR.). The AMR program is a metering system that remotely records usage and
accurately integrates that data into the billing system. Around 99 percent of the City's
water meters have been installed with the AMR, benefiting the City by improving meter
accuracy and reducing the cost of reading meters manually.
5.6.6 Record Management
The City's has a system of record management to classify customers by sector for billing
purposes and to keep track of water consumption by class. The billing system has the
ability to categorize customers into sectors that can be summarized into those required
by the Texas Water Development Board and the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality. These sectors include: residential (including single- family and multi - family);
commercial; institutional; industrial; and wholesale (the City does not have any
agricultural customers).
5.6.7 System Water Audit and Water Loss
As with any aging infrastructure system, the City does have water Toss between the
treatment plant and the point of use. In order to reduce this water loss, the City performs
an annual system water audit. This estimate of system water efficiency is achieved by
27
comparing water delivered to the treatment plant, potable water produced, and water
sold. The Water Department tracks numerous leak detection and repair activities and is
able to evaluate its success using the asset management software to compile and track
work orders. Using this data from the audit, the City is able to focus on specific areas
where improvements in efficiency can be achieved.
5.6.8 Water Conservation Staff
The Water Department has two staff members who coordinate and implement water
conservation programs for the City and its service area. These employees include the
Water Resource Planner and the Management Assistant. They are critical to ensuring
the success of the City's overall conservation program.
The Water Resource Planner is responsible for planning conservation programs;
seeking and identifying new opportunities in conservation and water supply; program
analysis; contributions as a member of regional workgroups (BBACS, GMAs, Region N,
Nueces Feasibility, CCASRCD); assistance with educational /promotional material;
planning Irrigation Consultation Program; meetings with stakeholders; assistance with
marketing strategies for conservation programs; assistance with annual conservation
budget; assistance to the Water Resource Advisory Committee; preparation and
submittal of annual conservation status reports to Water Department management.
The Management Assistant is responsible for the City's water public relations and
marketing; implementing conservation programs; conservation education and
marketing; coordinating with other departments and wholesale customers; coordinating
programs within the Water Department; development of marketing strategies for
conservation programs; management of consultants, and contractors, when
appropriate; preparation of annual conservation budget; assistance to the Water
Resource Advisory Committee.
This conservation team takes part in several educational events and programs, which
are explained in detail in section 5.7.
5.7 Education
One of the most effective ways to improve conservation and water -use efficiency is through
education. The Water Department is very active in educating its customers and has several
programs to do so. The Water Department has two purposes for its educational programs: to
disseminate information and to change behavior. Information dissemination is education that
makes the public aware of something timely, such as a current drought stage and its
implications. A change in behavior occurs when education teaches the public practices that
should be permanently adopted. Behavioral changes take place over a longer span of time than
information dissemination, but both purposes are critical to a well - informed public.
28
This section highlights the educational programs that the Water Department plans, manages,
and implements. These programs include school education, public information, and the water -
wise landscape and conservation program.
5.7.1 School Education
School education programs increase the viability of water conservation efforts, enhance
the utility's public image, contribute to the attainment of Texas state education goals by
students, and increase customer goodwill. The message conveyed by students to their
families based upon greater knowledge of water sources and conservation can lead to
behavioral changes resulting in both short- and long -term water savings.
The Water Department offers various school educational programs to all grade levels
throughout the City of Corpus Christi. These programs include:
• Major Rivers — Part of the 4th grade curriculum, the program educates students
on water conservation, supply, treatment, distribution and conservation. The
self - contained program offers academic and hands -on activities in math,
language arts, science, and social studies, with teacher's guide geared to the
interdisciplinary curriculum, as well as an introductory video and home
information leaflets.
• Toby Globy Eco- Action — Introduced to school children in grades pre - kinder to
second grade with classroom and special event visits by mascot Toby Globy,
this locally produced bilingual program brings environmental awareness to
primary grade school children in sing -along song and coloring books, a compact
disc of recorded music in English and Spanish, environment - oriented classroom
activities, posters, and a pictorial instruction booklet introducing solid waste and
recycling, in addition to water conservation.
• Learning to be Water Wise — This program is used in 5th grade classrooms to
connect science, math, language arts, and social studies with water
conservation activities. Boxed kits, which include a toilet water displacement
bag, toilet leak detector tablets, showerhead and faucet aerators, and
instructions for repairing common toilet leaks, are given to each student.
• Workshop for Daycare Teachers -- In a half- day -long workshop, pre - kinder to
second grade teachers are introduced to age- appropriate water resources
teaching aids, including the educational program "Toby Globy Eco Action Team"
and coloring books with a water - conservation message.
• Water Source Book — The Water Source Book, developed by the Water
Environment Federation, reinforces water resource issues with hands -on
classroom activities and experiments for grades 6 through 8. The classroom
activities feature water, wastewater, and storm water experiments. This book is
provided by the City to all local school resource libraries. Continuing education
workshops introduce local classroom teachers to the Water Source Book.
Teachers can utilize this teaching aid to satisfy certain TEKS objectives as
established by the Texas Education Agency.
29
• Coastal Bend Teacher Resource Extravaganza — As a member of the Coastal
Bend Informal Educators (CBIE), the City Water Department sponsors this
event, which brings environmental resources to teachers throughout the Texas
Education Agency Region 2 area. The City Water Department also participates
in this annual event, offering valuable opportunities and resources for teachers,
students and the general public.
• Museum of Science and History — The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and
History houses an educational gazebo, targeted to children, featuring various
showcases and an 8 -foot interactive topographic map of the Nueces River
Basin. The touch of a button activates lights and sound to explain the area's
water resources. Displays throughout the Xeriscape Learning Center and
Design Garden are used as teaching tools for children and adults.
• Other educational events — The Water Department provides age - appropriate
water resources teaching materials at several public events. Materials include
Splash Activity Book, My Book About Water and How to Use it Wisely, and The
Story of Drinking Water. Spanish material is also available upon request.
The Water Department continues to offer the programs mentioned above, being sure to
stay up -to -date on any changing information related to water. They also continue to stay
connected to local schools in order to identify any new potential opportunities.
To keep track of the impact of these various programs, the Water Department records:
• The number of presentations made
• The number and type of curriculum materials developed and/or provided
• The number and percent of students reached by presentations and by
curriculum
• The number of students reached outside the utility service area
• The number of in- service presentations or teacher's workshops conducted
during reporting period •
• The results of evaluation tools used
• Copies of program marketing and educational materials
• Annual budget for school education programs related to conservation.
Although water savings caused by school education programs are difficult to quantify,
the retrofit kit included with the Learning to be Water Wise program has been shown to
reduce domestic water use by 8,885 gallons per year per household.
5.7.2 Public Information
The Water Department employs several types of media resources and modes of mass
communication to present a compelling and consistent message about the importance
of conservation and water use efficiency. The overall goal of the public information
program is to raise awareness among customers of the regional water resources and
the importance of conservation. The public information is also used to convey timely,
30
urgent messages, such as those about drought or emergencies. Each year in June, the
Water Department mails a Consumer Confidence Report to every customer. This report
is available online to anyone including new customers. It explains water quality and
explains to customers where they can get more information on water conservation.
The Water Department employs the following methods to raise water resources
awareness and to instill the importance of conservation in the community:
• Multi- tiered media campaign — Annual television, radio, and print campaigns
promoting water use efficiency. Agreements with radio and television stations
provide for matching airtime for each ad purchased by the City.
• Billboard advertisement — Ads on billboards, bus benches, and other public
spaces are used to promote water conservation and water quality.
• Website — The Department's Water Conservation website includes tips on
outdoor and indoor conservation, Xeriscape landscaping, irrigation regulations,
and educational materials for youth.
• Printed brochures — The City provides the public with printed brochures on
various topics ranging from Xeriscaping to indoor water conservation. They are
produced by several entities, including the Water Department, the Texas Water
Development Board, and Texas A &M AgriLife Extension and are available at
multiple City locations and programs.
• School Education — Programs targeted to grade school children are explained in
the School Education section (5.6.1).
• Xeriscape Learning Center and Design Garden — As part of the Corpus Christi
Museum of Science and History, the Xeriscape Corpus Christi Steering
Committee, in partnership with the City, maintains a Xeriscape demonstration
garden with more than 100 plant varieties. Within the garden an educational
gazebo, The Water Story Exhibit, showcases an 8 -foot interactive topographic
map of the Nueces River Basin. A second gazebo named the Learning Center
features practical landscape ideas and photographs. Educational Walk 'n' Talk
Tours are held annually to enhance public education.
• City Call Center and Request Line — The City's Call Center (361 826 -CITY) was
created to encourage customers to report water line breaks and to request
service calls. Customers may also utilize a dedicated Water Hotline number (361
826 -1600) to request water conservation kits and other information.
To track the progress and effectiveness of this educational effort, the Water Department
collects and tracks the following information:
• Number of activities, pieces of information distributed, and number of
customers at an activity or program;
• Number of public school children who received instruction in water
resources or water conservation;
31
• Number of news programs or advertisements that featured the water
conservation message and how many customers had the opportunity to
receive each message;
• Total budget by category for public information; and
• Results of annual or biannual customer survey and/or focus groups to
determine the reach and impact of the program.
Water savings due to public information efforts are difficult to quantify. Water savings
for other public information programs that result in specific actions by customers, such
as changes in irrigation scheduling or reduction in water waste occurrences, may be
quantified through surveys or analysis of water waste reporting in future years.
5.7.3 Water -Wise Landscape Design and Conservation Program
The use of water for outdoor irrigation can often account for over 50% of a customer's
consumption. The purpose of this program is to decrease both peak summertime water
consumption and overall water use through the installation of water -wise landscapes at
residential and commercial properties, and through improved efficiency of existing
landscapes. Water -wise landscaping involves not only plant selection, but continued
attention to appropriate irrigation and landscape maintenance. The program is
multifaceted, implemented through a landscape standard (Section 5.4), school
education (Section 5.7.1), public outreach (Section 5.7.2), and city - implemented
measures (Section 5.6).
Below are some public - outreach programs explained in more detail that specialize in
water -wise landscaping or emphasize the importance of using less outdoor water.
• Xeriscape To -Go: Planning and Designing a Gardener's Dream — This brochure,
available in both print and online, was designed to educate local residents on the
benefits of Xeriscape landscaping. It features a list of plants suitable for the
Coastal Bend and an explanation of the seven principles of Xeriscaping.
• Xeriscape: Landscape with Less Water -- A brochure detailing the seven
principles of Xeriscape.
• Purple Water -Wise Plant Labels — A brochure produced in cooperation with
Xeriscape Corpus Christi, commercia nurseries, and Texas A &M AgriLife
Extension to bring public awareness to lists of plants that are proven performers
in the Coastal Bend since 2004. Water -wise plants are labeled with purple tags at
commercial nurseries for easy identification. Purple labels are affixed to water -
wise and drought - tolerant plants offered at retail nurseries.
To encourage the seven principles of Xeriscape landscaping, the non - profit
organization, Xeriscape Corpus Christi, was formed. The organization built and
32
maintains a demonstration Xeriscape garden at the Museum of Science and History.
The steering committee's members include the City of Corpus Christi Water
Department, Storm Water Department, Park and Recreation Department, Corpus
Christi Museum of Science and History, Friends of the Museum, Mayor's Water
Conservation Advisory Committee, Nueces County Master Gardeners, and Texas A &M
AgriLife Extension of Nueces County.
5.8 Water Conservation Pricing
One of the most effective methods to influence water consumption is through changes in price
structure. Water conservation pricing is a type of structure that promotes conservation by
making the water rate higher as consumption increases. Another term for this type of structure
is increasing block rate. The City has an increasing block rate structure for residential customers
which is not 'promotional." It ensures that residents receive their most basic needed water at a
reasonable price, which covers the fixed costs of the Water Department. They are billed on
actual metered water use. As consumption goes into discretionary amounts, the price per gallon
increases, resulting in a higher bill. A copy of the current water rate structure is attached as
Appendix C.
At least annually, the Water Department staff will review consumption patterns (including
seasonal use) and the income and expense levels to determine if the conservation rates are
effective. They then make appropriate, regular rate structure adjustments as needed. In the
past, such studies resulted in an elimination of the decreasing block rate for industrial accounts
and increasing block rates for residential customers. In order to further encourage conservation,
the Water Department will examine the follow potential pricing measures:
1. Seasonal rates to reduce peak demands during summer months.
2. Increasing block rates for other customer classes.
3. Restructuring of commercial rate structure to an increasing block rate.
The successful transition to a new rate structure will include public input and a process to
educate the community about the new rate structure. Public involvement in the development
and implementation of conservation rates helps to assure that the goals of the conservation
pricing initiatives are met and accepted by local constituents. Public meetings, advisory groups,
and public announcements are among ways to generate public involvement.
5.9 Coordination with Region N (Coastal Bend) Regional Water Planning Group
The service area of the City of Corpus Christi is located within the Coastal Bend, designated as
Region N Planning area, and the City has provided a copy of its Water Conservation and
Drought Contingency Plan to the Coastal Bend Regional Water Planning Group (RWPG). The
Region N Planning Group was initially appointed by the Texas Water Development Board
(TWDB), under the authority of Senate Bill 1, and includes representatives from 12 interests
33
including the public, counties, municipalities, industries, agriculture, the environment, small
businesses, electric-generating utilities, port authorities, river authorities, water districts, and
water utilities from across the region. This Plan is consistent with the City's role as a leader in
water supply planning in Region N, and meets the standards for water conservation planning in
TAC Chapter 288. The Water Department has coordinated with the RWPG through the following
measures:
1. The City presented the changes in the 2013 Corpus Christi Water Conservation Plan to
the Region N Water Planning Group on March 7, 2013 (Minutes from the Region N
meetings can found at http: /Iwww. nueces- ra .org/CPIRWPGIminutes /index.php after the
June 13, 2013 meeting.
2. City staff members (in addition to RWPG representative) attend Planning Group meetings
on a regular basis;
3. City staff has made formal comments (at meetings and in writing) at various times
regarding issues with population and water demand projections and with selection of water
management strategies; and
4. The City has held numerous meetings with the RWPG consultant to address issues
related to Corpus Christi and the regional planning process.
5.10 Method to Monitor the Effectiveness of Conservation Measures
The best way to monitor to the effectiveness of the conservation measures of this chapter is to
track the per capita water use. As was mentioned in Chapter 4, the goal of this Plan is to reduce
per capita water use (gcpd) by one percent each year over the next decade. Successful water
conservation measures will result in a reduction of that per capita water use. Because water use
can vary each year due to weather conditions, the City will consider rainfall amounts when
analyzing water use.
5.11 Means of Implementation and Enforcement
This Water Conservation Plan was approved by the Corpus Christi City Council on May 28,
2013. The passage of this WCP provides the Water Department the authority and guidance to
implement the included conservation measures and programs.
The Water Resource Management Ordinance provides the legal authority for the City of Corpus
Christi to enforce certain conservation measures and all drought contingency measures. A
copy of the Water Resource Management Ordinance (Section 55) is attached as a supporting
document.
5.12 Reservoir System Operating Plan
Because all customers rely on the reservoir systems for their supplies, they are subject to
the Reservoir Operating Plan. A copy of this is included in Appendix D.
34
6. Wholesale Customer Conservation
6.1 Introduction
The City of Corpus Christi serves five wholesale customers with treated water and six wholesale
customers with raw water. The raw water is delivered to Corpus Christi's four municipal and two
industrial customers. As part of the 2013 Water Conservation Planning Process, the City has
organized and held meetings with the wholesale customers to receive feedback on the revised
Plan. Because these customers use the same source water as the City, it is important that they
are kept informed and provide input into the City's decision making processes.
This chapter explains the conservation goals that the City encourages its wholesale customers
to adopt. Though wholesale customers outside of city limits are not legally bound by the
ordinances of Corpus Christi, the City requires the wholesale customers to adopt conservation
measures outlined in the Plan. It helps to ensure the region's water security and also ensures
that customers, both inside and out of the City, are treated equitably. Section 6.5 explains the
contractual requirements between the City and its wholesale customers.
6.2 Wholesale Customer Targets and Goals
The best way to reduce water waste and increase conservation is to set targets and goals. As
was mentioned in Chapter 4, the City of Corpus Christi has set a water conservation goal of one
percent annual reduction in consumption. This amounts to 202 gcpd in 2022. The City, though it
has no authority to require it, suggests to each its wholesale customers to also try to achieve a
one percent annual reduction in consumption. The Coastal Bend Regional Water Planning
Group recommends consumption reductions and they are shown below in Table 6.1. The gcpd
of each wholesale customer is shown with the 2020 and 2060 consumption goals. Though the
group's targets are not as aggressive as the City's, they still help in conserving the region's
water supplies.
Table 6.1 Wholesale Customer Consumption and Goals of Reglonal Water PIan
Wholesale Customer
2000 Consumption
2020 Consumption
Goals
2060 Consumption
Goals
Alice Water Authority
248
241
234
Beeville Water Supply
District
172
168
157
City of Mathis
119
112
104
Nueces County WCID
4 (Port Aransas)
187
179
177
San Patricio Municipal
Water District
118
111
**
South Texas Water
Authority
155
152
**
35
Violet Water Supply
Corporation
151
148
**
Wholesale customers Celanese and Flint Hills Resources do not serve a "population" so are not included
in this table.
* *These values were not calculated in the 2011 Regional Water Plan, so are not available.
6.3 Metering, Monitoring, and Records Management
The City meters all water diverted from the raw water supply to its wholesale customers. The
City also meters all treated water delivered to its wholesale customers. By contrast, these
meters are calibrated on a semiannual basis, and must be accurate within 2 percent. The
meters are read on a monthly basis for billing purposes.
A summary report is prepared, which aggregates all meter readings from wholesale raw water
meters, wholesale treated water meters, and all retail customers, as well as the readings from
the meters at the intake to the 0. N. Stevens Water Treatment.
6.4 Leak Detection and Repair
The treated water wholesale customers are supplied from portions of the City's distribution
system. The meter location is the point of sale at which the water enters the customer's system.
From there, it is the customer's responsibility to operate and maintain. The portions of the City's
distribution system that serve these wholesale customers are subject to the same leak detection
and repair program described Section 5.4.5, System Water Audit and Water Loss.
All raw water delivery systems to the wholesale customers are owned and operated by those
customers. Therefore, they are responsible for any leak detection and repair programs as well
as for unaccounted -for water. Wholesale customers are encouraged to voluntarily report their
results to the City in order to promote cooperative efficiency efforts.
In addition, wholesale customers are encouraged to keep their water loss rates below ten
percent.
6.5 Contractual Requirements
The City has in place valid contracts with various wholesale customers including raw water
contracts with municipal water suppliers: Alice Water Authority, Beeville Water Supply District,
City of Mathis, and San Patricio Municipal Water District. Treated water customers include
Nueces County Water Improvement District No. 4 (Port Aransas), San Patricio Municipal Water
District, South Texas Water Authority, and the Violet Water Supply Corporation. Industrial
wholesale customers include Celanese and Flint Hills Resources. All of these contracts contain
language related to water use restrictions in drought situations. Each contract has a section
36
requiring the customer to accept shortages in supply, should natural or unforeseen
circumstances prevent the City from delivering the water. With the exceptions of the Beeville
Water Supply District and San Patricia Municipal Water District contracts, the contracts further
stipulate that should there be a shortage in the basic supply of water which requires the
restriction or curtailing of any consumer of water within the city limits of Corpus Christi, that the
wholesale customer limit and restrict all of its customers to the same extent.
The Beeville Water Supply District requires the district to reduce its average raw water
consumption by specific percentages whenever the City declares water shortage conditions.
The district is required to reduce its average raw water consumption by 10% when the
reservoirs fall below 50% (Stage 1), 20% when the reservoirs fall below 40% (Stage 2), 30%
when the reservoirs fall below 30% (Stage 3), and to cease raw water withdrawals when
reservoir storage levels drop below 20% (Stage 4). In exchange, the District is excused from
contract minimum payments during the time of shortage; and it has the discretion to supplement
river water with groundwater in lieu of imposing water use restrictions on its customers.
The San Patricia Municipal Water District has the discretion to either implement water
conservation and drought measures similar to those imposed by the City or to reduce the water
it takes from the City's water supply system. If the district elects to reduce the amount of water it
takes from the City's water supply system, the reductions are based on the average deliveries
for the same month of the year over the three previous years. The percent of the reduction is
based on the available water in the City's reservoir system. The required decrease in the
amount of water that can be taken is 10% when the reservoirs fall below 50% (Stage 1), 20%
when the reservoirs fall below 40% (Stage 2), 30% when the reservoirs fall below 30% (Stage
3), and 60% when the reservoirs fall below 20% (Stage 4). In the most recent contract with San
Patricia Municipal Water District, language concerning year -round water conservation is
included. As the need to renegotiate other contracts arises, the City will include contract
language requiring conformance with applicable state and federal regulations concerning water
conservation.
The City will require in every wholesale water supply contract entered into or renewed after
official adoption of this Plan (by either ordinance, resolution, or tariff), including any contract
extension, that each successive wholesale customer develop and implement a water
conservation plan and drought contingency plan or water management measures using the
applicable elements in this Plan and City's Drought Contingency Plan (City Ordinance 55 -151). if
the customer intends to resell the water, the contract between the initial supplier and customer
must provide that the contract for the resale of the water must have water conservation and
drought contingency requirements so that each successive customer in the resale of the water
will be required to implement water conservation measures and drought contingency measures in
accordance with the provisions of this Plan and the Drought Contingency Plan.
37
6.6 Reservoir System Operating Plan
Because all of the wholesale customers rely on the reservoir systems for their supplies, they
are subject to the Reservoir Operating Plan. A copy of this is included in Appendix D.
UTILITY PROFILE
Fill out this form as completely as possible.
If fields do not apply to your entity, leave them blank.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Name of Utility: City of Corpus Christi Water Department
Public Water Supply Identification Number (PWS ID): 1780003
CCN Number: 10554
Water Rights ID Number: 21-3214; 21 -2464; 14 -5434
Wastewater ID Number: CN600131858
Check all that apply:
Retail Water Supplier
Wholesale Water Supplier
Wastewater Treatment Utility
Address: P.O. Box 9277
Email: gustavogo @cctexas.com
N
Regional Water Planning Group: Map
Groundwater Conservation District: 18 Map
Completed By: Brent Clayton
City: Corpus Christi Zip Code: 78469 -972:
Telephone Number: 361-826 -1874
Date: 3/13/2013
Check all that apply:
Title: Water Resource Planner
TiReceived financial assistance of $500,000 or more from TWDB
Have 3,300 or more retail connections
Have a water right with TCEQ
Section 1: Utility Data
A. Population and Service Area Data
1. Current service area size in square miles:
140
(Attach or email a copy of the service area map.)
2. Provide historical service area population for the previous five years, starting with the
most current year.
Year
Historical Population
Served By
Retail Water Service
Historical Population
Served By
Wholesale Water Service
Historical Population
Served By
Wastewater Service
2008
297,447
432,890
297,447
2009
297,447
433,716
297,447
2010
305,215
442,324
305,215
2011
307,728
446,212 307,728
2012
312,065
451,944 312,065
3. Provide the projected service area population for the following decades.
Year
Projected Population
Served By
Retail Water Service
Projected Population
Served By
Wholesale Water Service
Projected Population
Served By
Wastewater Service
2020
356,123
531,843
356,123
2030
391,077
583,752
391,077
2040
412,761
628,161
412,761
2050
448,879
666,843
448,879
2060
470,523
697,732
470,523,
4. Describe the source(s) /method(s) for estimating current and projected populations.
Historical population served by retail water was gathered from City of Corpus
Christi staff and 2010 Census data.
Historical population served by wholesale water service was calculated using
2010 Census values and percentage growth values from the Regional N Water
Plan
Historical population served by wastewater service is the same as retail water.
Projected Population Served by Retail Water Service gathered from 2010 Coastal
Bend Regional Water Plan, Table 2 -2.
Projected Population Served by Wholesale Water Service - Summed projected
population of each community served, from Region N Plan, Table 2 -2.
40
B. System Input
Provide system input data for the previous five years.
Total System Input = Self -- supplied + Imported — Exported
Year
Self - supplied
Water in Gallons
Purchased /Imported
Water in Gallons
Exported Water in
Gallons
Total System Input
2008
23,883,000,000
13,968,000,000
11,170,000,000
26,681,000,000
2009
28,593,000,000
11,862,000,000
11,183,000,000
29,272,000,000
2010
19,562,000,000
12,997,000,000
6,821,000,000
25,738,000,000
2011
29,847,000,000
9,949,000,000
10,969,000,000
28,827,000,000
2012
24,521,000,000
12,230,000,000
9,577,000,000
27,174,000,000
C. Water Supply System (Attach description of water system)
1. Designed daily capacity of system
2. Storage Capacity:
Elevated
Ground
161,000,000 gallons per day
5,000,000 gallons
55,150,000 gallons
3. List all current water supply sources in gallons:
Water Supply Source
Source Type*
Total Gallons
Lake Corpus Christi
Surface water
83,824,842,826
226,555,475,060
Choke Canyon ReservcSurface
water
Lake Texana
Contract
13,633,605,840
Select
Select
Select
*Select one of the following source types: Surface water, Groundwater, or Contract
4. If surface water is a source type, do you recycle backwash to the head of the plant?
Yes 7,500,000 estimated gallons per day
No
41
D. Projected Demands
1. Estimate the water supply requirements for the next ten years using population
trends, historical water use, economic growth, etc.
Year
Population
Water Demands (gallons)
2013
455,151
41,000,000,000
2014
465,390
42,222,557,942
2015
475,858
43,085,740,913
2016
486,563
48,030,317,189
2017
497,508
52,009,904,031
2018
508,699
52,525,948,530
2019
520,142
53,048,185,563
2020
531,843
53,576,689,440
2021
543,543
54,111,535,364
2022
555,502
54,652,799,439
2. Describe sources of data and how projected water demands were determined.
Attach additional sheets if necessary.
The population projection is for the REGION. It was determined by using the 2012
population and 2020 projection to calculate an annual growth rate of 2.2 %.
The water demands for the region were calculated by using the same percentage growth
from population projections (2.2 %) and subtracting 1% for conservation goals. This equates
to 1.2% annual growth in demand, primarily municipal. In addition to that regular municipal
growth, demand from nine potential industrial customers was added in years 2014 -2017.
The additional demand from new industry is approximately:
Year
2014: 730,557,942 gal
2015: 365,278,971 gal
2016: 4,440,697,428 gal
2017: 3,469,661,448 gal
42
E. High Volume Customers
1. If applicable, list the annual water use for the five highest volume RETAIL customers.
Select one of the following water use categories to describe the customer; choose
Residential, Industrial, Commercial, Institutional, or Agricultural.
Retail Customer
Water Use Category*
Annual Water Use
Treated or Raw
Valero Refining
Industrial
2,237,220,000
Treated
Lyondell Chemical Co.
Industrial
1,863,461,000
Treated
Koch Refining
Industrial
1,706,661,000
Treated
Koch Refining
Industrial
831,590,000
Treated
Calpine
Industrial
559,130,000
Treated
*For definitions on recommended customer categories for classifying customer water use, refer to the Guidance and
Methodology for Reporting on Water Conservation and Water Use.
2. If applicable, list the annual water use for the five highest volume WHOLESALE
customers. Select one of the following water use categories to describe the customer;
choose Municipal, Industrial, Commercial, Institutional, or Agricultural.
Wholesale Customer
Water Use Category*
Annual Water Use
Treated or Raw
San Patricio Municipal Wat'
Select
7,503,168,000
Raw
City of Alice
Select
2,362,228,000
Raw
City of Beeville
Select
1,314,951,000
Raw
South Texas Water AutoritrSelect
549,350,000
Treated
Neuces Co. WCID #4
Select
497,305,000
Treated
*For definitions on recommended customer categories for classifying customer water use, refer to the Guidance and
Methodology for Reporting on Water Conservation and Water Use.
43
Section 11. Retail System Data
If you do not provide retail water, go to Section III.
A. Retail Connections
1. List the active retail connections by major water use category.
- r.�.WWx::'x «ccc'=..'m.�, 9 8 k°p
'adneEH6s s °.s°waPFU° it[; - 8��
V' ei ate r
KR
�
�.�
c °
, _ .,. ':a
i 4
IkG .
;?
_ sd°: -.��i : =,°8 :i WOP
e ,1 tte
p!
_
e n �,tisp
can ID B
rte.
°
Residential - Single Family
2011
81,000
0
81,000
Residential — Multi - family (units)
423
979
0
979'
Industrial
3,429 079,01 3 869,811,000
18
0
18
Commercial
-47
2,181
0
2,181
Institutional
0
1,137
0
1,137''
Agricultural
79
0
0
0
129
TOTAL
85,315
0
85,315
*For definitions on recommended customer categories for classifying customer water use, refer to the Guidance and
Methodology for Reporting on Water Conservation and Water Use.
2. List the net number of new retail connections by water use category for the
previous five years.
er 9 Vii'3, "vti:•
° R
»«.�.:.�°.dY:, '. Y1. .« G-e'�tte.F � E: [ F:.:=a •: �mEGHIi °
PW�4daie:�4,it' e.
2008 2009
0stlf�F e
c'<", K sp
•s:rd. °.Ad�:R.:3 's g..:. �.x, c E:,e :
2010
2011
2012
Residential Single
Family
1,777,047,01
1,000
423
263
568
1,048
Residential — Multi-
family (units)
3,429 079,01 3 869,811,000
33'
581
86
50
-47
Industrial
0 0
-17',
-6
0
7
-6
Commercial
79
-636
-142
132
129
Institutional
7
59
-39
14
-19
Agricultural
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL
1,102
421
168
771
1,105
For definitions on recommended customer categories for classifying customer water use, refer to the Guidance and
Methodology for Reporting on Water Conservation and Water Use.
B. Retail Water Accounting Data - Water Use Categories
For the previous five years, enter the number of gallons of RETAIL water provided in each
major water use category.
Residential - Single Family
s» ur: , ,.:. €.. "._.,I,.' ea
2008 2009
A ''_ a4aF ,
2010 2011
2012
6,938,500,01E
7,274,661,00 ( 7,860,176,001
6,428,436,01: 7,802,013,000
Residential — Multi-family
1, 266, 031,00(1, 727, 963 ,0011,706,633,011,792,103,000
1,777,047,01
Industrial
11,215,108,01 10,629,910,01
10,291,335,1;104,444,590,0
11,191,421,1;
Commercial
4,395,903,00 ( 3,636 586,00
3,429 079,01 3 869,811,000
3,744 294,01!
Institutional
838,281,000 1,113,207,001
1,022,418,01' 1,170,878,000
997,626,000.
Agricultural
0 0
0 0
0
TOTAL
24,989,984,0 24,967,842,0
22,877,901, 119,079,395,0
24,648,888,1;
For definitions on recommended customer categories for classifying customer water use, refer to the Guidance and
Methodology for Reporting on Water Conservation and Water Use.
45
C. Retail Water Accounting Data - Annual and Seasonal Use
For the previous five years, enter the number of gallons provided to RETAIL customers.
TREATED
RAW
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
January
1,705,178,000
1,611,643,000
1,391,348,000
1,511,280,000
1,662,045,000
February
1,595,165,000
1,640,234,000
1,470,857,000
1,724,705,000
1,619,771,000
March
1,723,181,000
1,916,407,000
1,713,651,000
1,708,092,000
1,543,683,000
April
1,967,995,000
2,065,702,000
1,782,504,000
1,939,644,000
2,054,751,000
2,211,578,000
2,125,106,000
May
2,363,196,000
2,109,063,000
1,915,393,000
2,164,708,000
a "
2,279,660,000
2,456,525,000
1,939,886,000
2,138 681,000
dl '" E" ET.
1,989,159,000
2,482,952,000
1,919,630,000
2,279 337,000
2,353,010,000
2,315,491,000
iutiG` =w°
2,319,544,000
2,195,283,000
2,027,583,000
2,432,124,000
September
1,793,681,000
1,745,541,000
1,612,313,000
2,067,756,000
2,079,607,000
October
1,838,550,000
1,664,219,000
2,045,253,000
1,870,060,000
1,806,203,000
1,833,606,000
November
1,682,971,000
1,624,329,000
1,754,376,000
1,684,505,000
December
1,736,200,000
1,549,330,000
1,609,584,000
1,727,493,000
1,766,517,000
23,371,368,000
TOTAL
22,994,480,00C
23,061,228,00C
21,182,378,00C
23,248,385,00C
RAW
RETAIL
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
January
184,547,000
162,466,000
96,266,000
142406000
124,872,000
February
180,547,000
150,101,000
76,936,000
129,606,000
121,931,000
March
174,000,000
156,213,000
170,231,000
137,145,000
156,124,000
104,726,000
57,205,000
April
136,035,000
184,426,000
128,195,000
155,815,000
May
200,670,000
174,190,000
175,164,000
165,362,000
181,369,000
178,229,000
,229,000
159 264 000
182 150 000
69,286 000
188,869,000
196,160,000
149,023,000
186,308,000
,
74,054,000
r[`�..°'
���+'- tFi9:".y"°�:ij.q. ed� .�iY»CE
174,305,000
166,261,000
177,803,000
172,425,000
81,272,000
September
190,665,000
142,209,000
105,001,000
137,612,000
105,151,000
October
176,652,000
152,832,000
153,880,000
148,987,000
154,002,000
November
153,705,000
125,789,000
143,971,000
143,022,000
105,173,000
December
154,140,000
117,639,000
159,789,000
130,041,000
123,724,000
TOTAL
2,095,504,000
1,906,515,000
1,741,663,000
1,830,879,000
1,277,520,000
RETAIL
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Average in Gallons
v fra r
•- KK.,Er: -� =
IL_ aG.`.«' i!:': L" °:�`=::: °fye. 9'8: »£m'yiYwi%
7,132,906,0
7,675,411
6, 373,189,0
7,391,025,0
7,018,219,0
7 11$ 149 800
'
Syr Average
TOTAL Retail
(Treated + Raw)
25,089,984,
24,967,7,
22,924,041;
25,079,264,
24,648,888,
24,541,984,000 E
5yr Average
46
D. Water Loss
Provide Water Loss Data for the previous five years.
Water Loss GPCD = [Total Water Loss in Gallons ÷ Permanent Population Served] ÷ 365
Water Loss Percentage = [Total Water Lass -Total System Input] x 100
Year
Total Water Loss
in Gallons
Water Loss
in GPCD
Water Loss
as a Percentage
2008
73,098,630
97,850,000
0%
2009
80,197,260
96,220,000
0%
2010
1,338,416,000
12
5%
2011
945,865,000
8
3%
2012
1,893,644,000
17
7%
5 -year average
835,585,000
7
3%
E. Peak Day Use
Provide the Average Daily Use and Peak Day Use for the previous five years.
Year
Average Daily Use (gal)
Peak Day Use (gal)
Peak Factor
2008
73,098,630
97,850,000
1.34
2009
80,197,260
96,220,000
1.20
2010
70,515,068
83,960,000
1.19
2011
78,978,082
98,830,000
1.25
2012
74,449,315
103,500,000
1.39
47
Section 111: Wholesale System Data
If you do not provide wholesale water, go to Section IV.
A. Wholesale Connections
1. List the active wholesale connections by major water use category.
�ae§�L,ry tie$ c}ac msm�§. Em
se z tl i _ � �a � �
ufliY@:a:� -- -- --,,,,,
_ �°� �ma
9 6P E9:aR .§ Z9
�€e Y � are- §7�
��
! . b '.7 m
>n�a�3� »�14 = =,��Si� .2�k ". ".,�
..��..�'�S
£-°''ati
�cz.�„�,
�
sears§ °&g° §'
� 1I�� lie
0
`��aY
8
�. €emu
§$�
s € -
pE •
�>n. °� �., a
�'....�ii� ..�
Municipal
Municipal
1
9
1
0
0
9
Industrial
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Commercial
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Institutional
Agricultural
0
0
0
0
0
0
Agricultural
0
0
0
TOTAL
9
0
9
*For definitions on recommended customer categories for classifying customer water use, refer to the Guidance and
Methodology for Reporting on Water Conservation and Water Use.
2. List the net number of new wholesale connections by water use category for
the previous five years.
,•.. E S " Y L6. ? d" `o-'] €:{ iN,. . e...g.. F v...__§.o.,... t . :..:..
... . ^n,::C; ^ »§'✓ »3 :g:• ••by8pe6� n ^ii»
C... ».... « »id•£C» Fri•C :: �
;P.ye•ev'%•
l��r/
.:. :...:.:. .::..:.:....::..S.ST "I.SR6CceC891§dd 8aV46 ma3a ^?3[. F§�s « «..- .... ««
.>Y:i3 ^.":: » » ».,..:£:. ....« >......9"'EX' : $.y Uid�wg£d»v. :.:»:.� »,»CFA mm4
P�¢.ofb"° £: §s£f»»C«z %c >:« »....
3� ». .yY _...y ...,.. d m.,....
§a9�§F fir` ..L.is v..Fn4:tC. »m. -" -::. § m .... � 115A
'� '« .". ": »Ea d: a YK:-
_ £.�.«R"'(Sl�.$3[§; °:
� ��111�3y
�.'. -
69
d .... rs. .:.. >"
Rdrsre
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Municipal
1
0
1
0
0
Industrial
0
0
0
0
0
Commercial
0
0
0
0
0
Institutional
0
0
0
0
0
Agricultural
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL
For definitions on recommended customer categories for classifying customer water use, refer to the Guidance and
Methodology for Reporting on Water Conservation and Water Use.
B. Wholesale Water Accounting Data - Water Use Categories
For the previous five years, enter the number of gallons of WHOLESALE water exported
(sold or transferred) to each major water use category.
3 - :1 9a8
°» F ........m...m�3 F . :..
Municipal
.L. Y:tl9 C3tl
2008
m i raia 41:x:B-
l0V 0_
2010
AIe:� «- •w�tla
2011
--'�z-
2012
2009
12,139,165,
Mill
12,881,134
10,077,873,0(13,985,222,01
12,872,880,01
Industrial
•■■•••••.4
Commercial
Institutional
Agricultural
TOTAL
12, 139, 165,! 12,881,134
10,077,873,0(
13,985,222,01 12,872,880,0
*For definitions on recommended customer categories for classifying customer water use, refer to the Guidance and
Methodology for Reporting on Water Conservation and Water Use.
49
C. Wholesale Water Accounting Data - Annual and Seasonal Use
For the previous five years, enter the number of gallons exported (sold or transferred) to
WHOLESALE customers.
TREATED
RAW
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
January
156,036 000
163,398 000
139,053 000
125,804 000
140,348,000
Februar
147, 242,000
167,103, 000
103, 230, 000
147,113, 000
124,898,000
March
150,369 000
178,741 000
157 652 000
171 023,000
192,433,000
Aril
185,119,000
203,186,000
128,302,000
293,961,000
119,278,000
Ma
187,865,000
204,434 000
213,432 000
259,289,000
224 211,000
216,823,000
126,365 000
216,230,000
131 363,000
132,691,000
;Jeri= asmgave a
14 -E : bas
207 798,000
295 011 000
200,233 000
243,039,000
106 542 000
moAu t r e
181,726,000
286,514,000
226 918 000
238,534,000
121,995,000
September
176,021,000
177,458,000
216 989,000
222,656,000
74,467,000
October
174,066,000
174 148 000
168 765 000
202 247 000
133,888 000
November
164,012,000
149,933,000
149,667,000
182,775,000
43,383,000
December
148,336,000
161 285 000
163 231,000
138 335,000
62,779,000
TOTAL
2 083 024000
2,429 498,000
2,095 074,000
2 308,082,000
1,384,065 000
RAW
WHOLESALE
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
January
747,373,000
773,039,000
636,782,000
722,659,000
933,462,000
February
836,069,000
724,658,000
506,561,000
621,342,000
571,041,000
March
760,960,000
845,572,000
879,568,000
1,352,647,000
745,128,000
April
800,326,000
964,408,000
670,209,000
515,765,000
931,564,000
May
900,475,000
878,828,000
807,813,000
954,518,000
812,428,000
.... ap*�;.ya »x:e > >'.m vaii
1,092,487,000
1,108,488,000
714,347,000
1,119,197,000
1,149,667,000
1,030,782,000
�' my % `," '
907,435,000
1,259,795,000
617,645,000
1,193,283,000
881,319,000
1,047,826,000
719,526,000
1,352,491,000
1,336,807,000
September
739,859,000
806,000,000
605,666,000
1,130,371,000
1,245,427,000
October
924,450,000
755,351,000
562,124,000
1,062,881,000
880,124,000
November
793,863,000
754,721,000
652,893,000
609,665,000
844,904,000
807,082,000
1,053,925,000
798,460,000
December
671,343,000
532,941,000
TOTAL
10,055,959,00C
10,451,627,00C 7,982,799,000
11,677,140,00C
11,488,815,00C
WHOLESALE
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Average in Gallons
ges
3,475,199,0
4,256 ,923
2,695,492,0
4,362,774,(
3,878,484
3 733 774 400
'
Syr Average
TOTAL Wholesale
(Treated + Raw)
12, 138, 983,12
,881,12:10,077,873,13,985,222,
12,872,88
12,391,216,600
5yr Average
50
D. Water Loss
Provide Water Loss Data for the previous five years.
Water Loss GPCD = [Total Water Loss in Gallons _ Permanent Population Served] _ 365
Water Loss Percentage = [Total Water Loss Total System Input] x 100
Year
Total Water Loss
in Gallons
Water Loss
in GPCD
Water Loss
as a Percentage
2008
73,098,630
0%
2009
80,197,260
0%
2010
70,515,068
0%
2011
78,978,082
0%
2012
74,449,315
0%
5 -year average
0
0
0%
E. Peak Day Use
Provide the Average Daily Use and Peak Day Use for the previous five years.
Year
Average Daily Use (gal)
Peak Day Use (gal)
Peak Factor
2008
73,098,630
0.00
2009
80,197,260
0.00
2010
70,515,068
0.00
2011
78,978,082
0.00
2012
74,449,315
0.00
51
Section IV: Wastewater System Data
If you do not provide wastewater system services then you have completed
the Utility Profile. Save and Print this form to submit with your Plan.
Continue with the Water Conservation Plan Checklist to complete your
Water Conservation Plan.
52
A. Wastewater System Data (Attach a description of your wastewater system)
1. Design capacity of wastewater treatment plant(s):
42,700,000
gallons per day.
2. Provide data on the types of recycling and reuse activities implemented during the
current reporting period.
3. Could treated wastewater be substituted for potable water?
0 Yes 0 No
B. Wastewater Data for Service Area
1. Percent of water service area served by wastewater system: 99
2. Monthly treated wastewater volume in gallons, for the previous five years.
Total Annual Volume (in gallons)
On -site irrigation
2010
Plant wash down
2012
Chlorination /de- chlorination
844,794,000
Industrial
983,432,000
Landscape irrigation (parks, golf courses)
456,000,000
Agricultural
767,407,000
Discharge to surface water
1,024,434,000
Evaporation pond
456,000,000
3. Could treated wastewater be substituted for potable water?
0 Yes 0 No
B. Wastewater Data for Service Area
1. Percent of water service area served by wastewater system: 99
2. Monthly treated wastewater volume in gallons, for the previous five years.
You have completed the Utility Profile. Save and Print this form to submit with your Plan.
Continue with the Water Conservation Plan Checklist to complete your Water Conservation Plan.
53
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
January
844,794,000
797,073,000
983,432,000
903,991,000
762,135,000
February
767,407,000
729,539,000
1,024,434,000
824,264,000
776,272,000
March
845,987,000
808,465,000
880,390,000
811,053,000
788,485,000
April
835,953,000
787,865,000
825,083,000
761,910,000
796,530,000
May
854,626,000
826,535,000
828,120,000
812,386,000
847,044,000
June
814,734,000
794,940,000
846,968,000
782,970,000
792,510,000
July
966,682,000
828,763,000
963,373,000
799,490,000
821,469,000
August
932,520,000
825,497,000
854,765,000
800,327,000
817,563,000
816,630,000
September
865,137,000
887,930,000
1,252,114,000
747,780,000
October
845,260,000
878,410,000
869,442,000
774,194,000
795,522,000
November
786,877,000
897,954,000
804,930,000
742,290,000
749,460,000
December
803,557,000
995,703,000
798,343,000
779,433,000
766,041,000
TOTAL
10,163,534,000
10,058,674,00(10,931,394,00(
9,540,088,000
9,529,661,000
You have completed the Utility Profile. Save and Print this form to submit with your Plan.
Continue with the Water Conservation Plan Checklist to complete your Water Conservation Plan.
53
AXAS NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
AN AGREED ORDER
Amending the operational•proceduures and continuing an Advisory
Council pertaining to Special Condition 5.B., Certificate of
Adjudication No. 21-3214; Docket No. 2001 -0230-WR
On April 4, 2001, came to be considered before the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission ( "Commission ") the Motion by the City of Corpus Christi andNueces River Authority
for the adoption of an amendment to the Agreed Order issued April 28, 1995, establishing operating
procedures pertaining to Special Condition 5.B., Certificate of Adjudication No. 21 -3214, held by
the City of Corpus Christi, the Nueces River Authority, and the City of Three Rivers" .(the two cities
and river authority shall be referred to herein as "Certificate Holders ")_ The Certificate Holders and
the Executive Director of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission have agreed-to the
provisions of this Agreed Order.,
The City of Corpus Christi (managing entity) requests that Section 2 of this Agreed Order
be amended to add further detail to the provisions regarding the use ofwater for bays and estuaries
and to make changes in the required passage of inflows for the bays and estuaries automatic.at'40
percent and 30 percent of total reservoir system capacity upon institution of mandatory outdoor
watering restrictions. Additionally, Certificate Holders request the most recent.bathymetiic survejrs
be used for determining reservoir system storage capacity. The Certificate Holders request details'
be added regarding provisions for two projects to enhance /augment the amount of freshwater going
into the receiving estuary and timelines for those projects.
After considering the proposals and the.presentations of the parties, the Commission finds
that it has authority to establish operational procedures under Special Condition 5.B. of Certificate
of Adjudication No. 21 -3214, and that operational procedures previously established should•be
amended. The Commission finds that, because of the need to continue to monitor the ecological
environment and health of related living marine resources of the estuaries to assess the effectiveness
of freshwater inflows provided by requirements contained in this Agreed Order relating relea'ses
and spills ,front Choke.Canyon Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi ( collectively. referred:to.as ;the .
Reservoir System); as well as 'return flows, and to evaluate. potential impacts which may oecur'to the .
reservoirs as well as to the availability ofwater to meet the needs of the Certificate.Holders and their..
customers which mayresult from those operationalprocedures, the existing advisory council should
be maintained to consider such additional information and related issues and to formulate
recommendations for the Commission's review.
The Commission additionally finds that based. on the preliminary application of the Texas
Water Development Board's Mathematical Programming Optimization Model, (GRG 2);138,000
acre -feet of fresh water is necessary to achieve maximum harvest in the Nueces Estuary; and,
therefore, when water is- impounded in the Lake Corpus Christi -Choke Canyon Reservoir System
to the extent greater than 70 percent of the system's storage capacity, the delivery of 138,000
54
acre -feet of water to Nueces Bay and/or the Nueces Delta, by a combination of releases and spills,
together with diversions and return flows noted below, should be accomplished; and that during
periods when the reservoir system contains less than 70, percent storage capacity, reductions in
releases and spills, along with diversions and return flows, are appropriate in that a satisfactory level
of marine harvest will be sustained .and the.ecblogical health of the receiving estuaries will be
maintained.
The Commission finds that return flows, other than to Nueces Bay and/or the Nueces Delta,
that are delivered to Corpus Christi Bay and other receiving estuaries are currently in the assumed
amount of 54,000 acre -feet per annum (per calendar year), and that they shall be credited at this
amount until such time as it is shown that actual return flows to Corpus Christi Bay and other
receiving estuaries exceed 54,000 acre -feet per annum.
The Commission finds that by contractual relationships, the City of Corpus Christi is the
managing entity for operating the Reservoir System.
The Commission finds that the Motion by the City of Corpus Christi and Nueces River
Authority to Amend this Agreed Order is reasonable and should be granted. B enefits of the proposed
diversion project and operating changes will include increased water supply, increased reservoir
storage levels, increased positive flow events for Rincon Bayou and the upper Nueces Delta,
increased sources of nitrogen for the upper delta, and lower' salinity levels in the upper delta.
When the Commission uses the word "release" in this Order, release means spills, inflow
passage, intentional releases, and return flows; provided, however, under this Order no release from
storage is required to meet conditions of this Order.
By consenting to the issuance of this Agreed Order, no party admits or denies any claim, nor
waives with respect to any subsequent proceeding any interpretation or argument which may be
contrary to the provisions of this Agreed Order.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED BY THE TEXAS NATURAL RESOURCE
. CONSERVATION COMMISSION THAT: .
1. • . a: The City of Carpus Christi, as operator of the Choke CanyonfLake .Corpus -Christi ' .
':.reservoirs'(ttie "Reservoir :Systein6), sha11 provide not less than 151,000 acre-feet of
water per annum (per calerdar year) for the estuaries by a combination of releases
arid spills from the Reservoir System at Lake Corpus Christi Dam and return flows
to Nueces and Corpus Christi Bays and other receiving estuaries (including such .
credits as may be appropriate for diversion of river flows and/or return flows to the
Nueces Delta and/or Nueces Bay), as computed and to the extent provided for herein.
b. When water impounded in the Reservoir System is greater than or equal to 70
percent of storage capacity, a target amount of 138,000 acre -feet is to be delivered
to Nueces Bay and/or the Nueces Delta by a combination of releases- and spills from
Page 2 of 11
55
the Reservoir System as well as diversions and return flows. In accordance with the
monthly schedule and except as provided otherwise in this Agreed Order, target
inflows to Nueces Bay and/or the Nueces Delta shall be in the acre -foot amounts as
follow::. .
•
January 2,500 Tilly 6,500
February 2,500 August 6,500
March 3,500 September 28,500
April 3,500 October 20,000
May 25,500 November 9,000
June 25,500 December 4,500
It is expressly provided, however, that releases from Reservoir System storage shall
not be required to satisfy the above targeted inflow amounts, as calculated in
Subparagraph d.
c. When water impounded in the Reservoir System is less than 70 percent but greater
than or equal to 40 percent of storage capacity, a targeted amount of97,000 acre -feet
is to be delivered to Nueces Bay . and /or the Nueces Delta by a combination of
releases and spills from the Reservoir System as well as diversions and return flows.
In accordance with the monthly schedule and except as provided otherwise in this
Agreed Order, target inflows to .Nueces Bay and/or the Nueces Delta shall be in the •
acre -foot amounts as follows:
January 2,500 July 4,500
February 2,500 August 5,000
March 3,500 September 11,500
April 3,500 October 9,000
May 23,500 November 4,000
June 23,000 December 4,500
It is expressly provided, however, that releases from Reservoir System storage shall
not be required to satisfy the above targeted inflow amounts as calculated- in
Subparagraph d. ... .
d. . The amounts of water required in. subparagraphs 1.b. and 1.c. will consist of return
flows, and intentional diversions, as well as spills and releases from the Reservoir
System as defined in this subparagraph. For purposes of compliance with monthly
targeted amounts prescribed above, the spills and releases described in this paragraph
shall be measured at the U.S. Geological Survey stream monitoring station on the
Nueces River at Calallen, Texas (USGS Station No. 08211500). Any inflows,
including measured wastewater effluent and rainfall runoffineeting lawful discharge
standards which are intentionally diverted to the upper Nueces Delta region, shall be
credited toward the total inflow amount delivered to Nueces Bay and/or the Nueces
Page .3 of 11
56 •
Delta. Inflow passage from the Reservoir System for the purpose of compliance with
the monthly targeted amounts prescribed in subparagraphs 1.b. and 1.c. shall in no
case exceed the estimated inflow to Lake Corpus Christi as if there were no
impoundment of inflows at Choke Canyon Reservoir. The estimated inflow to Lake
Corpus' Christi as if there were no impoundment of inflows at Choke ,Canyon
Reservoir shall be computed as the sum of the flows measured at the U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) STREAMFLOW .GAGING STATIONS ON THE Nueces River near
Three Rivers (USGS No. 082,10000), Frio River at .Tilden, Texas (USGS No.
08206600), and San Miguel Creek near Tilden, Texas (USGS No. 08206700) less
computed releases and spills from Choke Canyon Reservoir.
e. The passage of inflow necessary to meet the monthly targeted allocations may be
distributed over the calendar month in a manner to be determined by the City. Relief
from the above requirements shall be available under subparagraphs (1) or (2) below
and Section 2.(b) and 3.(c) at the option of the City of Corpus Christi. However,
passage of inflow may only be reduced under one of those subparagraphs below, for
any given month.
(1) Inflows to Nueces Bay and /or the Nueces Delta in excess of the required monthly
targeted amount may be credited for up to fifty (50) percent of the targeted
requirement 'for the following month, based on the amount received'.
(2) When the mean salinity in Upper Nueces Bay (Lat. 27 °51'02 ", Long. 97 °28'52 ") for
a .10 -day period, ending at any time during the calendar month for which the
reduction of the passage of inflow is sought, is below the SUB *, pass through of
inflow from the reservoir system for that same calendar month may be reduced as
follows:
(a) For any month other than May, June, September and October, if 5
parts per thousand (ppt) below the SUB for the month, a reduction of
25% of the current month's targeted Nueces. Bay inflow;
(b) If 10 ppt below the SUB for the month, a reduction of 50 % of the
current month's targeted Nueces Bay inflow. except that•credit under
this provision is limited to 25 % during the".months of May, June,
September and October; : .
UB" Means "salinity upper bounds" as set forth more specifically in Section 3.b.
(0)
If 15 ppt below the SUB for that month, a reduction of 75% of the
current month's targeted Nueces Bay inflow.
• Page 4 of 11
57
The City of Corpus Christi shall submit monthly reports to the Commission
containing daily inflow amounts provided to the Nueces Estuary in accordance with
this Agreed Order through releases, spills, return flows and other freshwater inflows.
a: Certificate holders are to provide in any future contracts or any amendments,'
modifications or changes to existing contracts the condition that all wholesale.
customers and any subsequent wh.olesale,customers shall develop and have in effect
awater conservation and drought managementplan consistent with Commission rule.
The City of Corpus. Christi shall solicit from its customers and report to the
Commission annually the result of conservation under the City's plan, the customers'
plans, and the feasibility of implementing conservation plans and programs for all
users of water from the reservoir system. This report shall be submitted with the
Certificate Holder's annual water use report as provided by 31 T.A.C. §295.202.
b. The Certificate Holders may reduce targeted Nueces Bay inflows during times of
prolonged drought in accordance with this subparagraph 2.
(I)
When the combined storage in the Choke Canyon/Lake Corpus Christi
reservoir system (Reservoir System Storage) falls below 50% of the total
system storage capacity, the City of Corpus. Christi shall issue public notice
advising " and informing the water users of the region of voluntary
conservation measures that are requested immediately' and required drought
management measures to be taken should the Reservoir System Storage -fall
to under 40% and/or 30% of total system Storage capacity. To the' extent of
its legal authority, the City of Corpus Christi shall require its wholesale
customers to issue public notice advising and informing thewaterusers of the
region of voluntary conservation measures that are requested immediately and
required drought management measures to be taken should the Reservoir
System Storage fall to under 40 %, andlor. 30% of total system storage
capacity.
(2) In any month when Reservoir System Storage is less than 40 %, but equal to .
or greater than 30% of total. system storage capacity, the City of Corpus
Christi shall implement time of day outdoor watering restrictions and shall
reduce targeted inflows sto Nueces Bay to 1,200 acre -feet per month (1,200
acre-feet per month represents the quantity ofwater that is the median inflow
into Lake Corpus Christi during the drought of record). Time of day outdoor
watering restrictions prohibit lawn watering between the hours of 10:00
o'clock a.m. and 6:00 o'clock p.m. and are subj ect to additional conditions
as described in the City of Corpus Christi's approved "Water Conservation
and Drought Contingency Plan ( "Plan ")." To the extent of its legal authority,
the City of Corpus Christi shall require its wholesale customers to implement
time of day outdoor watering restrictions similar to those of the City.
Page 5 of 11
58
(3)
In any month when Reservoir System Storage is less than 30% of total system
storage capacity, the City of Corpus Christi shall implement a lawn watering
schedule in addition to time of day outdoor watering restrictions (see
subparagraph 2.b.(2)) and shall suspend the passage of inflow from 'the
Reservoir System for targeted inflows to Nueces Bay. 'However, return flows
directed into Nueces Bay and/or the Nueces Delta shall continue. The lawn
watering schedule shall allow customers to water lawns no oftener than every
five days, subject to the time of day restrictions described in subparagraph
2.b.(2) and any additional conditions as described in the City's Plan.
(4) Certificate Holders' may implement whole or partial suspension of the
passage of inflow through the reservoir as described above when the City
implements, and requires its customers to implement, water conservation and
drought management measures at diminished Reservoir System levels, as set
forth in subparagraphs b.(2) and b.(3).
c. For purposes of this Agreed Order, Reservoir System storage capacity shall be
determined by the most recently completed bathymetric survey of each reservoir. As
of 2001, completed bathymetric surveys of each reservoir reports conservation
storage capacities of 695,271 acre -feet (below 220.5 feet mean sea level) for Choke
Canyon Reservoir (Volumetric' Survey of Choke Canyon Reservoir, TWDB
September 23, 1993) and 241,241 acre -feet (below 94 feet mean sea level) for Lake
Corpus Christi (Regional Water Supply Planning Study-Phase I Nueces River Basin,
HDR, December, 1990).
d. Percentage of the Reservoir System capacity shall be determined on a daily basis and
shall govern, in part, the inflow to be passed through the reservoir during the
remaining days of the month.
e. Within the first ten days of each month, the City of Corpus Christi shall submit to the
Commission a monthly report containing the daily capacity of the Reservoir System
in percentages and mean sea levels as recorded for the previous month as well as
reservoir surface areas and estimated inflows to Lake Corpus Christi assuming no
impoundment of inflows at Choke .Canyon•Reservoir. The report shall indicate
:which gages• or measuring devices Were used to determine Reservoir System capacity
and estimate inflows to Lake Corpus Christi.
f. Concurrent with implementing subparagraphs 2.b.(1) through 2.b.(3), the City shall
proceed to:
1. Acquire land rights to properties necessary to re -open the Nueces River
Overflow Channel and make the Nueces River Overflow Channel and Rincon
Bayou Overflow Channel permanent features ofthe Rincon B ayou Diversion;
Page 6of 11
59
2. Construct and operate a conveyance facility to deliver up to 3,000 acre -feet
per month of required Reservoir Systern "pass - throughs" directly from the
Calallen Pool into the Upper Rincon Bayou by use of one or two of the five
authorized points of diversion under Certificate of Adjudication No. 2464,
being the.existing San Patricio Municipal Water District point of diversion
and/or a point on the North bank of the Calallen Pool located at. Latitude.
27.8823 °N, Lonj tudee97.6254 °W, also bearing S 27° 24' W, 4,739 feet
from the southwest comer of the I.H.W. Ottman Survey, Abstract No. 212,
San.Patricio County, Texas, where the water will be pumped at the maximum
rate of 45,000 gprri; and
3.. Implement an on -going monitoring and assessment program designed to..
facilitate an "adaptive management " program for freshwater inflows into the
Nueces Estuary.
. 4. Construction necessary to implement subparagraph 211. shall be
accomplished by December 31, 2001 and work necessary .to accomplish
subparagraph 212. shall be accomplished by December 31, 2002.
5. In the event the City fails to timely complete the work set forth in
subparagraphs 211. and 2.f.2., this amendment shall automatically terminate
and the provisions of the Agreed Order of Apri.1• 28, 1.995 shall be reinstated
and become operative despite this amendment, unless the Executive Director
grants a modification after consideririgthe recommendations of the Nueces
Estuary Advisory Council.
g The Executive Director is delegated authority to make Modifications to subparagraph
2.f., after considering the recommendations of the Nueces Estuary Advisory Council.
However, changes maybe made through this process only with the City's consent if
the changes resultin increased costs to the City.
If the Executive Director makes modifications to subparagraph 2.f. as authorized in
this paragraph, any affected person. may file With the chief clerk a motion for
reconsideration oftheExecutiveDirectot's action no laterthan 23 days after the date
the Executive Director mails notice ofthe,modificationto the City. Thismotion shall .
be considered under the provisions of30 Texas Administrative :Code § 50.39(d) and
(e).
h.. The City shall obtain all necessary permits from the.Cornmission before beginning
these projects. The deadlines set out above include time necessary to apply for,
process and, if necessary, complete hearings OR these permits.
3. a. The City of Corpus Christi, with the assistance and/or participation of federal, state
and local entities, shall maintain a monitoring program to assess the effect of this
Page 7 of 11
60
operating plan on Nueces Bay. The cornerstone of this program is the development
of a salinity monitoring program. The program shall include at least two monitoring
stations, one in upper Nueces Bay (Lat. 27 °51'02 ", Long.' 97 °28'52 ") and one in mid
- Nueces Bay (Lat._2.7 °51'25 ", Long. 97 °25'28 ") with the capability of providing •
continuous salinity and/or conductivity.data, temperature; pH, and dissolved oxygen
levels. Additional stations may be established at the recommendation of the
Advisory Council (continued by paragraph 4 of this Agreed Order) to assess inflow
effects throughout the estuarine system, but the City shall not be obligated to
establish such additional stations except to the extent authorized by its City Council.
b. The. City of Corpus Christi or its designated representatives shall monitor salinity
levels in Upper and Mid-Nueces Bay. The lower (SLB) and upper (SUB) salinity
bounds (in parts per thousand -ppt) developed for application of the Texas Estuarine
Mathematical Programming Model and considered appropriate for use herein, are as
follows:
SLB
SUB SLB SUB.
January 5 30 July 2 25
February 5 30 August 2 25
March • . 5 . 30 September 5 20 •
April . 5 , 30 .October • . 5 30
May 1 20 November 5 30 . •
June 1 20 • December 5 30
c. When the average salinity for the third week (the third week includes the seven days
from the 15th through 21st) of any month is at or below the subsequent month's
established SLB for upper Nueces Bay (Lat. 27051 '02 ",Long. 97 °28'52 "), no releases
from the Reservoir System to satisfy targeted Nueces Bay inflow mounts shall be
required for that subsequent month.
d. All data collected as a result of the monitoring program required by paragraph 3 of
this Agreed Order shall be submitted monthly to the Commission within the first ten
days of the immediately following month. .The Nueces Estuary Advisory Council
shall study the feasibility 'of developing a method: of &ranting credits for Inflows.
which exceed the required amounts' to replace the credits that are set out in
suliparagr-aph 1.e.(1) and make recommendations to the Commission for possible
implementation. That method shall have as its goal the maintenance of the proper
ecological environment and health of related living marine resources and the
provision of maximum reasonable credits towards monthly inflow requirements.
4. a. To assist the Commission in monitoring implementation of this Order and making
recommendations to the Commission relating to any changes to this Agreed Order
and the establishment of future operating procedures, the Nueces Estuary Advisory
Page 8 •of 11
61
Council shall be continued. Its members shall include, but are not limited to a
qualified representative chosen by each of the following entities or groups: the
Executive Director of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, whose
representative shall serve as chair he Texas Water Development Board; the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department;' the Texas Department of Health; the General Land
Office; the holders of Certificate of Adjudication No. 21 -3214 (the Cities-of Corpus
Christi and Three Rivers and the Nueces River Authority; the University of Texas
Marine Science Institute; Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi; Save Lake
Corpus Christi; Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce; the City of Mathis; Coastal
Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, Inc.; a commercial bay fishing group; a
conservation group (e.g.- the Sierra Club and the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation);
wholesale water suppliers who are customers of the Certificate Holders (e.g., the
South Texas Water Authority and the San Patricio Municipal Water District); the
Port of Corpus Christi Authority; and a representative of industry. The
representatives should have experience and knowledge relating to current or future
water use and management or environmental and economic needs of the Coastal
Bend area.
b. No modification shall be made to this Order without the unanimous consent of the
Certificate Holders, except to the extent provided by law.
c. Matters to be studied by the Nueces Estuary Advisory Council .and upon which the
Executive Director shall certify recommendations to the Commis'sioirshall include,
but are not limited to:
(1) the effectiveness of the inflow requirements contained in this Agreed Order
on Nueces Estuary and any recommended changes;" •
(2) the effect of the releases from the Reservoir System upon the aquatic and
wildlife habitat and other beneficial and recreational uses of Choke Canyon
Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi;
(3)
the development and implementation of a short and long -tern regional water
management plan for the Coastal Bend Area; •
the salinity level to be applied in Paragraphs 1.e. and 3 :c., at which targeted
inflows in the subsequent month may be'suspended;
the feasibility of - discharges at locations where the increased biological
productivity justifies an inflow credit computed by multiplying the amount
of discharge by a number greater' than one; and development of a
methodology for granting credits for inflows which exceed the required
amount to replace the credits that are set out in subparagraph 1.e.. That
methodology shall have as its.goal the maintenance of the proper ecological
Page9of 11
62
environment and health of related living marine resources and the provision
of maximum reasonable credits towards monthly inflow requirements; and,
-(6) -any other:matter pertinent to the conditions contained in this Agreed Order.
Page 10 of •11
• 63
5. This Agreed Order shall remain in effect until amended or superseded by the Commission.
Issued date: .•
APR:05 7001
•
• TEXAS NATURAL RESOURCE.
' :CONSERVATION COMMISSION •
R bed J. uston, Giairman
Page 11 of 11
64
INSIDE CITY LIMITS:
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI - UTILITIES BUSINESS OFFICE
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE
MONTHLY CHARGE FOR WATER SERVICE
Effective August 1, 2012
MINIMUM MONTHLY CHARGE (FOR FIRST 2,000 GALLONS)
Meter Size
5!8" x 314'
5/8" x 314'
1"
1 1/2"
2"
3"
4"
6"
8" or larger
Residential $
Commercial
Minimum
8.720
12.580
18.870
31.460
62.900
100.640
201.290
314.520
629.030
Meter Size
OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS:
518" x 3/4"
5/8" x 314"
1"
1 112"
2"
3"
4"
6"
8" or larger
Residential $
Commercial
MONTHLY VOLUME CHARGES PER 1,000 GALLONS (above the minimum level)
INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS:
PER 1000/GALLONS
Residential
Minimum
10.460
15.100
22.640
37.750
75.480
120.770
241.550
377.420
754.840
OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS:
PER 1000/GALLONS
Residential
First 2,000 Gallons
Next 4,000
Next 4,000
Next 5,000
Next 15,000
Next 20,000
Next 50,000
Over 100,000
Commercial
$
Minimum
4.172
5.215
5.997
7.301
8.865
9.648
10.43
First 2,000
Next 4,000
Next 4,000
Next 5,000
Next 15,000
Next 20,000
Next 50,000
Over 100,000
Gallons
Commercial
$
Minimum
1.695
2.119
2.437
2.967
3.602
3.92
4238
First 2,000 Gallons Minimum First 2,000 Gallons Minimum
Over2,000 $ 5.172 Over2,000 $ 2412
Large Volume-
Large Volume -
Minimum Minimum Minimum Minimum
First 10,000,000 Gallons $ 16,349.000 First 10,000,000 Gallons $ 27,279.000
Over 10,000,000 3.597 Over 10,000,000 1.493
Residential Irrigation Water on separate meter
First 2,000 Gallons $ Minimum First 2,000
Next 4,000 7.301 Next 4,000
Next 4,000 8.865 Next 4,000
Next 5,000 9.648 Next 5,000
Next 15,000 10.430 Next 15,000
Agency for Resale
Metered at the site of treatment
First 2,000 Gallons
Over 2,000
Minimum
0.870
Monthly charge for Raw Water
Effective September 1, 2012
Raw water rate payers ICL &OCL $0.8561TGAL
Raw water non rate payers ICL & OCL $0.9021TGAL
Residential Irrigation Water on separate meter
Gallons $
Minimum
4.671
6.235
7.018
7.800
Water delivered through City facilities
First 2,000 Gallons Minimum
Over 2,000 $ 1.493
Golf Course /Athletic Field !irrigation
First 2,000 Gallons Minimum
Over 2,000 $ 2.542
65
OPERATIONS PLAN FOR THE
LAKE CORPUS CHRISTI -CHOKE CANYON RESERVOIR SYSTEM
The following operations plan for the Lake Corpus Christi —Choke Canyon Reservoir water system
provides for the two reservoirs to be operated as a regional water supply with primary purpose to be
furnishings a dependable supply to the people in the Coastal Bend area. The plan also recognizes the
need for the recreational facilities for public use and the Texas Water Commission adjudicated water
permit which requires a minimum flow of 151,000 acre -feet of water annually to bays and estuaries
from return flows, spills, or fresh water releases from Lake Corpus Christi once Choke Canyon Reservoir
fills.
The Plan consists of four phases of operation depending on the water levels in the two reservoirs.
PHASE I -
This phase applies only to the initial filling period of Choke Canyon Reservoir. It is
necessary that this reservoir be filled at the earliest opportunity so that all structures
and mechanical equipment can be tested. Initial filling of the reservoir also triggers the
requirement that minimal flows be made available for bays and estuaries.
1. During the initial period, only the releases requires required by agreement between
the City of Corpus Christi and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, varying
between 15 and 33 cubic feet per second depending on the reservoir level, will be
made unless Lake Corpus Christi elevation falls below elevation 86 feet.
2. If water user demand is less than 200,000 acre -feet annually and Lake Corpus Christi
is at elevation 86 feet, water will be released from Choke Canyon to maintain this
elevation until Choke Canyon Reservoir falls to elevation 184 feet.
3. When Lake Corpus Christi has fallen to elevation 86 feet and Choke Canyon has
fallen to elevation 184 feet, Lake Corpus Christi will be allowed to drop to elevation
76 feet, at which time water will be released from Choke Canyon to allow user's
intake structures at Lake Corpus Christi to be used.
4. Should water user demand excess 200,000 acre -feet annually, the water level of
Lake Corpus Christi will be allowed to drop to elevation 76 feet prior to releases
from Choke Canyon Reservoir.
PHASE II - This phase applies after Choke Canyon Reservoir is filled and water user demand is less
than 150,000 acre -feet annually.
1. A minimum of 2,000 acre -feet per month will be released from Choke Canyon
Reservoir to meet conditions of the release agreement between City of Corpus
Christi and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
66
PHASE 111 -
PHASE IV -
2. Whenever Lake Corpus Christ water surface falls to elevation 88 feet and Choke
Canyon Reservoir surface elevation is above 204 feet, releases will be made from
Choke Canyon Reservoir to maintain Lake Corpus Christi surface at elevation 88 feet.
3. Whenever Lake Corpus Christi water surface is at or below elevation 88 feet and
Choke Canyon Reservoir surface elevation is below 204 feet, the Choke Canyon
release for the current month is made equal to the Lake Corpus Christi release from
the preceding month. This minimizes drawdown at Lake Corpus Christi for
recreation purposes and promotes a more constant quality of water by mixing
Choke Canyon Reservoir releases with Lake Corpus Christi content.
This phase applies after Choke Canyon Reservoir is filled and water user demand is
between 150,000 and 200,000 acre -feet annually. During this period, water release plan
prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation will be followed to produce a dependable yield
of 252,000 acre -feet.
1. A minimum of 200,000 acre -feet per month will be releases from Choke Canyon
Reservoir to meet conditions of the release agreement between the City of Corpus
Christi and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
2. Whenever Lake Corpus Christi water surface is at or below elevation 88 feet, and
the ratio of Choke Canyon Reservoir content to Lake Corpus Christi content (both at
the end of the preceding month) exceeds the corresponding ratio with 6 -foot
drawdown at both reservoirs, the Choke Canyon Reservoir release for the current
month is made equal to the Lake Corpus Christi release during the preceding month.
This equalizes drawdown at the two reservoirs for recreation purposes and
promotes a more constant quality of water by mixing Choke Canyon Reservoir
releases with Lake Corpus Christi content.
This phase applies after Choke Canyon Reservoir is filled, water user demand exceeds
200,000 acre -feet annually, and developed long -term supply is less than 300,000 acre -
feet annually.
1. A minimum of 2,000 acre -feet per month will be released from Choke Canyon
Reservoir to meet conditions of the release agreement between the City of Corpus
Christi and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
2. In order to provide maximum dependable yield from the two reservoirs, the water
level in Lake Corpus Christi will be allowed to drop top elevation 74.0 feet
(Ordinance Changed #022661) before water is released from Choke Canyon
Reservoir in excess of the 2,000 acre -feet per month requirement. When the
elevation of Choke Canyon Reservoir drops to 155 feet, Lake Corpus Christi will be
lowered to its minimum elevation.
67
LAKE CORPUS CHRISTI -CHOKE CANYON RESERVOIR STATISTICAL DATA
Water Elevation Minimum Functional
Capacity, Acre -Feet* When Full, Feet Elevation, Feet
Lake Corpus Christi 272,000 94.0 76.0
Choke Canyon Reservoir 692,000 220.5 147.5
Intake Structure Elevations of Customers Withdrawing Water Directly from Lake Corpus Christi:
Elevation, Feet
City of Mathis
Beeville Water Authority
Alice Water Authority
City of Corpus Christi
Annual Lake Corpus Christi Withdrawals:
73.0
74.0
67.0
55.0
Fiscal Year Total Withdrawn From Lake, Acre -Feet
1975 -76 86,416
1976 -77 86,408
1977 -78 101,596
1978 -79 96,029
1979 -80 106,851
1980 -81 104,657
1981 -82 107,002
1982 -83 107,348
1983 -84 119,701
1984 -85 90,226
1985 -86 105,469
* 1 acre -foot = 325,850 gallons
68
*
•
FINANCE DCF"•r'T 1ENT PUBLISHER'S AFFIDAVIT
State of Texas 2013. 11- -5 AM 10� 15 CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
Count of Nueces } Ad# 202256
PO #
Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public, this day personally came GEORGIA LAWSON, who
being first duly sworn, according to law, says that she is LEGAL SALES REPRESENATIVE AND
EMPLOYEE OF THE PUBLISHER, namely,the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, a daily newspaper
published at Corpus Christi in said City and State, generally circulated in Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval,
Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Live Oak,Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio, Counties, and that the
publication of NOTICE OF PASSAGE OF ORDINANCE NO. 0 which the annexed is a true copy, was
inserted in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times on:
CC-Corpus Christi Caller-Times 06/03/13 Mon
CC-Internet - caller.com 06) 13 Mon
LEGAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE
On this C- day of `��� , 20 L3 I certi►. . the attached document is a true and exact
copy made by publisher.
N.tary '�-hf T•xas
.
` MICHELLE JOYCE CABRERA
t
, My Commission Expires
- March 19.2016
IE or �.
uNazt
CORPUS CHRISTI > Ad Proof
1f
cattet : tme callercom
Sales Rep:Georgia Lawson(C9190) Phone:(361)884-2011 Email:LawsonG@caller.com
11111=11111.111W 1111111.1
Date:05/29/13 This is a proof of your ad scheduled to run on the dates indicated below.
Account Number. 172983(CC18438) Please confirm placement prior to deadline by contacting your account
Company Name:CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI rep at .
Contact Name: Ad Id:202256 P.O.No.: Total Cost:$93.00
Email:lawsong@caller.com Tag Line:NOTICE OF PASSAGE OF ORDINANCE NO.0
Address:PO BOX 9277,CORPUS CHRISTI,TX,784699277 Start Date:06/03/13 Stop Date:06/03/13
Phone:(361)826-3636 Fax:(000)000-0000 Number of Xs: 1 Class: 16130-Legals
Publications:CC-Corpus Christi Caller-Times,CC-Internet-caller.com
I agree this ad is accurate and as ordered.
NOTICE OF PASSAGE OF
ORDINANCE NO.029846
Ordinance adopting the Water
Conservation Plan and
Drought Contingency Plan;
amending City Code of Ordi-
nances, Chapter 55, Article
XII Water Conservation,
regarding water resource
management including //--��CA` S \�� p Z1
drought restrictions and � l� I 1 1
surcharges, providing an
effective date of June 3,
2013;and providing for pen-
alties. This ordinance was
passed and approved by the
City Council on May 28,2013.
/s/ Armando Chapa
City Secretary
•
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