Title
Approving an ordinance on second reading with a caption reading: An ordinance of the City of Pflugerville, Texas, amending and updating Chapter 53, Water and Sewers, Drought Contingency Plan and providing that violations of this ordinance are class C misdemeanors subject to fines not to exceed $2,000.00; providing cumulative, repealer and severability clauses; providing for open meeting and establishing an effective date.
Summary
With the increased intensity of the drought in the Central Texas region, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has instituted changes to their Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) that requires their firm water customers to make modifications to their existing DCP’s to be in compliance with their contracts with the LCRA. As the City of Pflugerville is a firm water customer of the LCRA, changes need to be made to our DCP to be in compliance with our contract with the LCRA. Staff have made changes to some language and definitions within the plan to be in line with what the LCRA has adopted and to enact conservation triggers to align with the LCRA’s requirements.
Proposed stages of plan:
Conservation Stage - Year-round:
• Outdoor water allowed twice per week.
Stage 1 - Moderate Water Shortage
• Outdoor watering allowed once per week is triggered by one of the following:
o Must be between the months of March and October.
o Highland Lakes capacity reaches 1,200,000 acre feet of storage.
o Lake Pflugerville water level reaches 633’ pool elevation.
o Water consumption reaches 80% of production capacity for 3 consecutive days.
Stage 2 - Severe Water Shortage
• No outdoor watering is allowed with the exception of drip irrigation is triggered by one of the following:
o Highland Lakes capacity reaches 750,000 acre feet of storage.
o Lake Pflugerville water level reaches 630’ pool elevation.
o Water consumption reaches 90% of production capacity for 3 consecutive days.
Stage 3 - Emergency Water Shortage
• No outdoor water or variances are allowed, mandatory pro-rata curtailment is enacted, and is triggered by one of the following:
o Highland Lakes capacity reaches 600,000 acre feet of storage.
o Critical system failures cause diminished production capacity.
o Water system demand exceeds production capacity.
o The LCRA declares a Drought Worse than the Drought of Record (DWDR)
This updated Drought Contingency Plan has been reviewed by LCRA and their comments on the plan have been addressed and this has been approved by their water conservation team. This Plan has also been approved by the City’s legal team for completeness and to ensure that it meets all requirements as set forth by the Texas Water Code.
Following Council approval, this revised plan will be submitted to the LCRA and TCEQ as required.
Prior City Council Action
City Council approved the last update on January 24, 2023
Deadline for City Council Action
Action is requested on first reading on June 25, 2024
Funding Expected: Revenue __ Expenditure __ N/A _X_
Budgeted Item: Yes __ No __ N/A _X_
Amount: _N/A_______
1295 Form Required? Yes __ No _X_
Legal Review Required: N/A __ Required _X_ Date Completed: ______
Supporting documents attached:
Drought Contingency Plan Ordinance
Drought Contingency Plan - Final Draft
Recommended Action
Approve the proposed ordinance updating the Drought Contingency Plan per Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)/LCRA requirements.