HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8668INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
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March 24, 2005
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SUBJECT: UPDATES TO WATER CONSERVATION AND DROUGHT
CONTINGENCY /EMERGENCY WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS
The Fort Worth Water Department is required to submit updates of two documents — the Water
Conservation Plan and the Drought Contingency /Emergency Water Management Plan — to the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) by May 1. These updates are required as
a result of amendments to the Water Code adopted by the Texas Legislature during the 2003
session and new TCEQ requirements outlined in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter
288 last October.
The Water Conservation Plan outlines the city's year round strategy for promoting efficient water
use by all customers. Among the new plan requirements mandated by the Legislature and
TCEQ are detailed five -and 10 -year conservation goals. The proposed plan does not include
any mandatory measures, such as time of day watering restrictions, at this time. If adopted, the
plan would require the Water Department to form a Customer Advisory Committee comprised of
a cross section of customers — residential, commercial and industrial. The committee would
review various possible conservation best management practices, their associated costs, the
mcost-effectiveness of each strategy and make recommendations concerning conservation
easures to be implemented by the City. The Water Department envisions possibly presenting
an updated plan to the City Council in 2006 or 2007.
The Drought Contingency /Emergency Water Management Plan outlines water use restrictions
that would be taken if water supply levels drop, demand exceeds supply, a major system
component is damaged or contamination occurs. This plan has four stages. The more severe
the situation, the higher the stage and the tougher the water use restrictions imposed. As
required by recent legislation, the plan includes specific, quantified targets for water reductions
to be achieved during each stage.
Copies of both draft plans are attached. The Water Department will take public comments from
March 21 to March 31. Copies of the plans will be available on the city Web site and at all Fort
Worth Public Libraries. A meeting to discuss both plans is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 in
City Council Chambers. It is anticipated action items related to adopting these plans and
amending any necessary resolutions and ordinances will be on the April 12 City Council
agenda.
If you have any questions about the updates to these plans, contact Frank Crumb, Acting Water
Director, at 817 - 392 -8207.
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Charles R. Boswell
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS