HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9483
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9483
April 3, 2012
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 1 of 2
SUBJECT: STAGE 1 DROUGHT RESTRICTIONS AND VARIANCE PROCESS
The purpose of this report is to answer questions raised at the March 27, 2012, Pre-Council
meeting regarding pressure-washing restrictions currently in place. The hosing of buildings is
restricted in Stage 1 of the Drought Contingency and Emergency Water Management Plan for
any purpose other than fire protection or paint preparation. The use of pressure-washing for other
purposes can be addressed through a variance process that is documented in the plan. A
variance can be requested for any of the Stage 1 drought restric
Stage 1 Drought Restrictions
When the capacity of all of the lakes and reservoirs used by Tar
reaches 75%, the City of Fort Worth enters Stage 1 Drought restricas follows:
Prohibit hosing of paved areas, except to alleviate an immediate
Prohibit hosing of buildings or other structures, except for fir
preparation prior to painting.
Limit landscape watering with sprinklers or irrigation systems to a twice-per-week
schedule, as outlined below:
Residential addresses ending in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) m
o
Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Residential addresses ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) may water on
o
Thursdays and Sundays.
Non-residential locations may water on Tuesdays and Fridays.
o
Establishing new turf is discouraged.
Variance Procedure
A variance process is available for exceptions to the Stage 1 rest
Completion of the following steps must be met for consideration.
The installer or owner submits an application to the Water Department with all pertinent
information. This includes, but is not limited to:
Name and address of the petitioner(s)
o
Purpose of water use
o
Specific provisions from which relief is requested
o
Detailed statement of the adverse effect of the provision from w
o
requested
Description of the relief requested
o
Period of time for which the variance is sought
o
Alternative measures that will be taken to reduce water use
o
Landscaper information and copies of the installation receipt
o
Detailed map of the location and zones to be watered with run ti
o
Any other pertinent information.
o
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9483
April 3, 2012
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 2 of 2
SUBJECT: STAGE 1 DROUGHT RESTRICTIONS AND VARIANCE PROCESS
For new turf or landscape variances, the Water Conservation Licensed Irrigator will visit
each application site and determine (based on the date of installation, type of plant or
grass installed, etc.) how long and how often the applicant will need to water to establish
their particular landscaping.
The applicant receives an approval or denial letter, or subseque-mail, to explain the
restrictions that they must follow and the expiration date of th
Since Stage 1 was implemented August 29, 2011, variances have been granted for large-scale
properties that are not able to fully irrigate within their two
landscape, athletic fields, and new construction. Some large-scale examples include the Fort
Worth Zoo, Fort Worth Independent School District, and churches.related to pressure
washing and the hosing of paved areas have been granted based ondefined health and safety
concerns.
On December 13, 2011, the Council was briefed on proposed amendments to the Drought
Ordinance. One of these included removal of restrictive power-washing rules in Stage 1. Staff
will work with our regional conservation partners to address thiher potential
revisions to the Drought Ordinance and present proposed revisions to the City Council for
consideration.
Should you have any questions about the Drought Contingency and
Management Plan, please contact Water Director Frank Crumb at 817-392-8246.
Tom Higgins
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS