HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9689 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9689
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 9, 2014
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•a SUBJECT: UPDATE ON DROUGHT CONDITIONS
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The purpose of this informal report is to brief the City Council on the current drought situation and
potential for reaching Stage 2.
The Drought Contingency and Emergency Water Management Plan adopted by the City Council
last May, outlines the triggers for entering and leaving each stage. We entered Stage 1 in June
2013 when lakes levels reached 75 percent.
Tarrant Regional Water District officials are forecasting we will reach Stage 2 during the first week
of January, unless we see significant rainfall and runoff in the watersheds of our water supply
lakes. Lake levels were at 61.5 percent on December 3rd, and the trigger for Stage 2 is 60
percent of supply.
The biggest change for all customers is Stage 2 limits outdoor watering to once per week.
Watering by handheld hose, drip irrigation, soaker hose or tree bubbler may occur on any day, at
any time.
Contractors using fire hydrant meters will be required to obtain a variance to continue using these
meters.
Other provisions in Stage 2 are:
• Large properties, with large multi-station irrigation systems, may apply for a variance to
water on additional day(s); however, no station can be watered more than once per week.
• Golf courses can water greens and tee boxes as needed to keep them alive, but this must
be done before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Fairways are restricted to once per week and
rough areas cannot be watered.
• Establishing new lawns is discouraged, but may be done through a 30-day variance. At
the end of the 30-day period, the once per week schedule will be enforced.
• The operation of ornamental fountains or ponds that use potable water is discouraged,
except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are
equipped with a recirculation system.
• The filling, draining or refilling of swimming pools, wading pools, hot tubs and Jacuzzi-type
pools is discouraged, except to maintain adequate water levels for structural integrity,
proper operation and maintenance, and/or to alleviate an issue that poses a public safety
risk.
• The use of covers is encouraged for all types of pools, hot tubs and Jacuzzi-type pools
when not in use.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9689
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 9, 2014
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•a SUBJECT: UPDATE ON DROUGHT CONDITIONS
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There are additional actions specified for the City to take, including prohibiting wet street
sweeping and eliminating non-essential water use.
Staff is scheduling meetings with other city departments and key stakeholder groups, including
Wholesale Customers, golf course managers and contractors, to inform them of the Stage 2
requirements. Banners will go up at city facilities once Stage 2 is reached to inform residents and
businesses of the once per week requirement. Additional public outreach will include media
releases, bill messages, and enhanced public education efforts.
Stage 2 terminates and we would revert to Stage 1 when the total combined raw water supply in
TRWD's reservoirs exceeds 75 percent of conservation storage capacity or remains at or above
70 percent for 30 consecutive days.
Staff will work closely with the Tarrant Regional Water District and its primary customers over the
course of the next few weeks to finalize proposed watering schedules. Should you have any
questions, please contact Interim Water Director Andy Cronberg.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS