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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-13-E01 Water Conservation Plan Stage II ImplementationAGENDA ITEM: CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA CITY COUNCIL MEETING COMMUNICATION MEETING DATE: July 13, 2020 AGENDA ITEM:Consideration of approval of a resolution concurring with the implementation of Stage II of the City of Waukee Water Conservation Plan FORMAT:Consent Agenda SYNOPSIS INCLUDING PRO & CON: Due to hot and dry weather, Waukee has exceeded daily water usage capacity more than once this season, contributing to system capacity strains and possible surcharge penalties. As a result and in consultation with Public Works Director/City Engineer Koester, City Administrator Moerman has enacted Stage II of the Water Conservation Plan. This stage calls for a City-wide voluntary 50% reduction in outdoor water use, including turf irrigation. FISCAL IMPACT INCLUDING COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS: COMMISSION/BOARD/COMMITTEE COMMENT: STAFF REVIEW AND COMMENT: While the City Administrator has the authority to implement the plan in accordance with Waukee Municipal Code §203.9, City staff request a resolution of support for that implementation. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the resolution. ATTACHMENTS: I. Proposed Resolution II. City of Waukee Water Conservation Plan PREPARED BY: Becky Schuett REVIEWED BY: PUBLIC NOTICE INFORMATION – NAME OF PUBLICATION: DATE OF PUBLICATION: E1 THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA RESOLUTION 2020- CONCURRING WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STAGE II OF THE CITY OF WAUKEE WATER CONSERVATION PLAN IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA WHEREAS, the City of Waukee, Iowa is a duly organized municipality within Dallas County; AND, WHEREAS, on April 7, 2014, the Waukee City Council adopted the City of Waukee Water Conservation Plan in an effort to safeguard the water supply during periods of water shortages (Resolution #14-094); AND, WHEREAS, Waukee Municipal Code §203.9 gives the City Administrator the responsibility for implementing the Water Conservation Plan as necessitated by any event that affects the City’s water treatment, storage or delivery capacity; AND, WHEREAS, Waukee has exceeded daily water usage capacity more than once this season, contributing to system capacity strains and possible surcharge penalties; AND, WHEREAS, the City of Waukee has cut irrigation to all City facilities by 50% in an effort to reduce water usage; AND, WHEREAS, on July 10, 2020,City Administrator Tim Moerman implemented Stage II of the Water Conservation Plan, which calls for a City-wide voluntary 50% reduction in outdoor water use, including turf irrigation. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Waukee City Council in session this 13th day of July, 2020, that it hereby concurs with the City Administrator’s implementation of Stage II of the Waukee Water Conservation Plan. ____________________________ Courtney Clarke, Mayor Attest: ___________________________________ Rebecca D. Schuett, City Clerk RESULTS OF VOTE: AYE NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN Anna Bergman R. Charles Bottenberg Chris Crone Larry R. Lyon Ben Sinclair Water Conservation Plan STAGE I - VOLUNTARY 25% REDUCTION IN TURF IRRIGATION TRIGGER During a period of substantial irrigation demand, when Expected Peak Demand reaches 90% of Current Capacity or system demand is generating a high number of areas with low pressure, or there are other indications that without wise usage of water, a shortage could occur. ANTICIPATED IMPACT It is anticipated that Stage I will most likely be triggered during peak irrigation season. In a typical year irrigation can account for as much as 40 MGD of demand on a peak day. If this is the case, a 25% reduction in irrigation will result in a 10 MGD reduction in total demand. At peak demand 10 MGD would be more than a 10% reduction. GOAL A 10% reduction in system demands as compared to Expected Peak Demand. ACTION  Request a citywide 25% reduction in lawn irrigation.  Encourage customers to optimize their irrigation systems so water is not directed onto impervious surfaces and turf is not overwatered.  Recommend customers irrigate on alternate days, by a system under which even numbered addresses water only on even days of the month, and odd- numbered addresses water only on odd-numbered days of the month.  Suspend City of Waukee’s hydrant flushing program except for water quality purposes.  The City will minimize high water use activities such as street sweeping and watering golf course fairways.  Coordinate with wholesale customers to ensure they are relaying the same message. ENFORCEMENT There will be no enforcement at this stage. STAGE II - VOLUNTARY 50% REDUCTION IN OUTDOOR WATER USE (INCLUDING TURF IRRIGATION) TRIGGER During a period of substantial irrigation demand, after Stage I has been implemented and failed to achieve an adequate reduction in consumption, when Expected Peak Demand exceeds 90% of Current Capacity, or system demand continues to generate areas of low pressure, or there are other indications that without further reductions in demand, a shortage could occur. ANTICIPATED IMPACT It is anticipated that Stage II will most likely be triggered during the peak outdoor water use season. In a typical year outdoor water use can account for as much as 50 MGD of demand on a peak day. If this is the case, a 50% reduction in outdoor water use will result in a 25 MGD reduction in total demand. At peak demand 25 MGD would be more than a 25% reduction. GOAL A 25% reduction in system demands as compared to Expected Peak Demand. ACTION  Request customers further reduce water consumption by taking the following measures in addition to those implemented in Stage I:  Request a citywide 50% reduction in outdoor water use.  Remind customers to optimize their irrigation systems so water is not directed onto impervious surfaces and turf is not overwatered.  Reinforce the recommendation for customers to irrigate on alternate days.  Encourage wise use of water during outdoor activities including washing cars, playing in the sprinkler, playing with water toys, and filling swimming pools.  Encourage wise use of water indoors including identifying and repairing leaking fixtures, washing only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines, shorter showers, etc.  Coordinate with wholesale customers to ensure they are relaying the same message.  Request that public agencies (City, County, or State) set an example by:  Closing recreational facilities with known water inefficiencies.  Suspend the operation of decorative fountains. ENFORCEMENT There will be no enforcement at this stage. STAGE III - TURF IRRIGATION PROHIBITED AND NO USE OF AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION SYSTEMS TRIGGER During a period of substantial irrigation demand, after Stage I and Stage II have been implemented and failed to achieve an adequate reduction in consumption, when Expected Peak Demand exceeds 90% of Current Capacity, or system demand continues to generate areas of low pressure, or there are other indications that without further reductions in demand, a shortage could occur. ANTICIPATED IMPACT It is anticipated that Stage III will most likely be triggered during peak irrigation season. In a typical year irrigation, primarily turf irrigation, can account for as much as 40 MGD of demand on a peak day. If this is the case, prohibiting irrigation will result in a 40 MGD reduction in total demand. At peak demand 40 MGD would be almost a 40% reduction. GOAL A 40% reduction in system demands as compared to Expected Peak Demand. ACTION Require customers to further reduce water consumption by suspending all turf irrigation and the use of all automatic irrigation systems. This reduction is in addition to all steps implemented in Stage I and Stage II. ENFORCEMENT Customers observed by the City of Waukee irrigating in violation of this policy will be notified by a tag left at the property. If irrigation is not suspended within 48 hours, water service will be terminated and the published termination fee will apply. Water service will be restored only upon receipt, by the City of Waukee, of an undertaking by the customer that the customer understands and will comply with the mandatory conservation measures. Any subsequent violation will result in further termination of service. In addition the use of water for irrigation in violation of this plan shall be deemed an unauthorized use of water and “Charges for Breaking Seal or Tampering With Meter”, as set forth in Section 203.6 of the Waukee Municipal Code shall apply and must be paid before water service will be restored. STAGE IV: WATER RATIONING TRIGGER During periods of substantial irrigation demand, after Stage I, Stage II, and Stage III have been implemented and failed to achieve an adequate reduction in consumption, when Expected Peak Demand exceeds 90% of Current Capacity, or system demand is generating a high number of areas with low pressure, or there are other indications that without wise usage of water, a shortage could occur. Stage IV may also be invoked, without resort to Stages I through III, if Expected Peak Demand exceeds 90% of Current Capacity for any reason that cannot be addressed by the measures contemplated by Stages I through III. ANTICIPATED IMPACT It is anticipated that Stage IV will only be triggered in the event of a significant and severe water shortage, or other event, which severely reduces capacity relative to demand. In this case a reduction in demand to the lowest level which will meet public health and safety standards will be sought. GOAL A reduction in system demands as compared to Expected Peak Demand sufficient to allow the Des Moines Water Works to meet public health and safety standards. ACTION Water rationing measures will be implemented and enforced by application of an Emergency Water Shortage Rate. In order to implement such rate the City of Waukee shall set a target level for demand consistent with its Current Capacity and shall use such target to establish a “Rationing Factor” as defined in this Plan. All customers will be asked to reduce their consumption to a level at or below a “Stage IV Monthly Water Ration”, and consumption above such level will be charged at the Emergency Water Shortage Rate intended to strongly discourage consumption above such level. ENFORCEMENT “Stage IV Monthly Water Ration” means for each customer the Typical Off-Peak Consumption of such customer multiplied by an announced Rationing Factor. “Typical Off-Peak Consumption” shall be computed as of the date that Stage IV is invoked as the mean monthly consumption of the customer for the immediately preceding months of March, April, and May. The Rationing Factor shall be a percentage, which may be above or below 100%, as announced by the City of Waukee and designed to effectively reduce consumption to the level as required by the prevailing circumstances. While Stage IV is in effect all water used beyond the Stage IV Monthly Water Ration for each customer will be billed at the “Emergency Water Shortage Rate”. The Emergency Water Shortage Rate shall be four times the rate otherwise applicable to such customer. Customers may appeal the Typical Off-Peak Consumption level determined for the customer as the basis for the customer’s bill as inaccurate or inequitable under the circumstances applicable to the customer. Appeals must be submitted in writing and will be considered on a case-by-case basis as provided under these Rules and Regulations.