HomeMy WebLinkAbout2875 Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 29 75'
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A DROUGHT MANAGEMENT PLAN.
WHEREAS, the City of Pasco relies solely on the Columbia River to fulfill the domestic
water supply needs for all of its citizens, resident and corporate alike; and,
WHEREAS, any notable reduction in Columbia River water supply could have
significant deleterious effects on the conduct and quality of urban life throughout the community;
and,
WHEREAS, the city desires to be prepared to address the possible reduction of water
supply, due either to emergent conditions or the more gradual constraints associated with
climatic drought conditions; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCO:
Section 1: That the attached drought management plan is hereby approved as a
framework of policy to manage potential water supply reductions.
Section 2: That the City Manager is hereby directed and authorized to provide timely
recommendations to City Council, consistent with the policy framework reflected in the drought
management plan, so as to respond to the reduction of water supply while minimizing the
adverse influence on the quality of community life.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco this 6th day of June, 2005.
f
Michael L. G rrison
Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
(itf 11
Sandy L. e worthy Leland B. Kerr
Deputy City Clerk City Attorney
City of Pasco
Drought and Water Shortage Response Plan
April 2005
This Drought and Water Shortage Response Plan addresses the restrictions and
regulations, which may be imposed on the use of City of Pasco domestic and irrigation
water during a time of a drought or water shortage. The plan is based on four
thresholds in which the restrictions increase with the increase in thresholds. The
requirements will vary by customer identified as the City, Public Institutions (County,
College, Schools), Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Construction.
Threshold
Alert 1: Drought Alert
A draught or water shortage (alert number 1) will be declared by the Mayor when
a warning has been given that there is an anticipated water shortage in the Columbia
River, depleting ground water levels, or a problem with the City's systems.
Implementation Requirements:
City -
Public Notification— Notify the news media of the alert, provide
information in utility billings, and work with other agencies and
civic groups.
Education— Emphasize the City's conservation programs and ask
for voluntary reductions for both the indoor and outdoor use of
water by working with the news media and mailings to customers.
City Reductions - Require all departments to reduce water use.
• Reduce use City-wide.
• Parks Division coordinates with the GWMA and Soil
Conservation District on improving efficiency and
predicting minimum water needs.
• Restrict vehicle washes to recycled washing facilities
where possible.
• Reduce amount of water used for hydrant programs,
flushing, and non-essential uses.
• Restrict water use in construction contracts.
Public Institutions -Voluntary curtailment.
• Monitoring outdoor irrigation systems to improve
efficiency and reduce water waste.
• Coordinate with the GWMA and Soil Conservation
District on improving efficiency and predicting
minimum water needs.
• Restrict vehicle washes to recycled washing facilities
where possible.
Residential -Voluntary curtailment.
• Reduction of indoor water use.
• Scheduling of outdoor watering to every other day
watering.
• Emphasis on wise use of water.
Commercial -Voluntary curtailment.
• Reduction of indoor and outdoor water use.
• Emphasis on wise water use.
Industrial -Voluntary curtailment.
• Reduction of indoor and outdoor water use.
• Emphasis on wise water use.
Construction- Voluntary curtailment and mandatory restrictions.
Voluntary —
• Reduction of city water use.
• Ground cover in lieu of water for dust control.
• Emphasis on wise water use.
Mandatory—
• Use of well water where available.
• Use of FCID water where available.
• No water settling of trenches.
Drought and Water Shortage Response Plan—Page 2
Alert 2: State Imposed Water Restrictions -- Short term (1-2 months)
A water shortage on the Columbia River has occurred for the short term. An alert
number 2 is declared by Council. A surcharge on water rates may be required. The
surcharge may be on the amount of water not needed for typical indoor use and the
moderate amount needed for outdoor watering. Customers on the City irrigation
system will be required to adjust their watering with less water pressure.
Implementation Requirements:
City -
Public Notification— Notify the news media of the alert and water
rate changes, provide information to customers, and work with
other agencies and civic groups.
Council may pass an emergency water rate surcharge Ordinance.
Any surcharge would be imposed on the amount of water not
considered essential. The typical monthly residential indoor and
summer outdoor uses will be considered in establishing the
definition of essential use in the Ordinance.
Irrigation system water pressure will be reduced 15% to encourage
conservation.
City Reductions —Mandatory reductions to all Departments.
• Reduce all outdoor watering by 15%. Brown spots
acceptable in turf.
• Vehicle washing with recycled water only.
• Use WTP effluent for sewer flushing programs.
• Sweep & vacuum floors only, no washing or
mopping unless health issues are a concern.
• Reduce flows and pressures in City irrigation
system.
• Reduce use at swimming pools, restrict shower use.
• Close spray grounds.
• Further restrict water for construction projects.
• Defer hydrant flushing programs.
• No water for Fire Department training.
• Place temporary water use restrictions on the
approval of new developments and issuance of
building permits.
Drought and Water Shortage Response Plan—Page 3
Public Institutions - Mandatory requirements.
• Reduce all outdoor watering by 15%. Brown spots
acceptable in turf.
• Vehicle washing with recycled water only.
• Sweep & vacuum floors only, no washing or
mopping unless health issues are a concern.
Residential - Mandatory requirements.
• A water rate surcharge may be required on non-
essential water defined in the emergency
Ordinance.
• Premises vehicle washing restricted to once a week.
• Every other day outdoor watering. Brown spots
should be acceptable in turf.
Commercial - Mandatory requirements.
• Water rate surcharge may be implemented to be
calculated to encourage the reduction of historic
use by 15%. Surcharge established in emergency
Ordinance.
• Reduce outdoor watering by 15%.
• Restaurants to serve table water on request.
• No parking lot flushing.
Industrial -Mandatory requirements.
• Water rate surcharge may be implemented to be
calculated to encourage the reduction of historic
use by 15%. Surcharge established in emergency
Ordinance.
• Reduce outdoor watering by 15%.
Construction -Mandatory requirements
• Construction water rates to be temporarily
increased 200% to 300% on a rising block rate
scale in emergency Ordinance.
• No water waste at sites.
Drought and Water Shortage Response Plan—Page 4
Alert 3: State Imposed Water Restrictions - Long term (2+ months).
A serious water shortage has occurred. An alert number 3 is declared by Council.
An increase in water rate surcharge will be required. Outdoor watering will be limited
to keep vegetation alive. Commercial and Industrial customers will be asked to reduce
all water use. Construction water will be rationed. Water policing program will be
implemented along with fee structure for fines.
Implementation Requirements:
City -
Public Notification - notify the news media of the alert and water
rate changes, provide information to customers, and work with
other agencies and civic groups.
Council will amend emergency Ordinance and temporarily increase
all water rate classifications.
Irrigation system pressures and flows further reduced to encourage
conservation.
City Reductions - Mandatory reductions to all Departments.
• Create a water policing force and implement a
water drought fee schedule for offenders.
• Reduce all outdoor watering and provide only
sufficient water to keep vegetation alive.
• No testing programs that use water.
• No vehicle washing.
• Close swimming pools.
• Defer construction projects that require
construction water.
• Call in all construction water hydrant meters.
• No street sweeping.
• Further reduce flows and pressures on City
irrigation system.
Drought and Water Shortage Response Plan—Page 5
Public Institutions —Mandatory requirements.
• Pay new water rate structure.
• Reduce all outdoor watering to keep vegetation
alive only.
• No vehicle washing
• Reduce indoor use.
• No visual water misuse or waste.
Residential —Mandatory requirements.
• Pay new water rate structure.
• Reduce all outdoor watering to keep vegetation
alive only.
• No visual water misuse or waste. Water waste
subject to fines.
Commercial — Mandatory requirements.
• Pay new water rate structure.
• Reduce all outdoor watering to keep vegetation
alive only.
• No visual water misuse or waste. Water waste
subject to fines.
Industrial — Mandatory requirements.
• Pay new water rate structure.
• Reduce all outdoor watering to keep vegetation
alive only.
• No visual water misuse or waste. Water waste
subject to fines.
Construction- Mandatory requirements.
• Pay new water rate structure.
• No construction water from hydrants.
• Ground cover for dust control.
Drought and Water Shortage Response Plan—Page 6
Alert 4: City Water Supply Availability Critical.
A critical water shortage has occurred. An alert number 4 is declared by Council.
Water supply at 60% or less of historic usage and no increase in supply foreseen in the
near future. A moratorium on new construction and new water service connections will
be needed. Monitoring and water scheduling (rationing)program will need to be
implemented.
Implementation Requirements:
City -
Public Notification- Notify the news media of the alert and
severity of conditions, provide information in utility billings, and
work with other agencies and civic groups.
Impose temporary building and new water service moratorium.
Increase fines for water misuse and waste.
Irrigation system will operate at minimum pressures and flows.
City Reductions --Mandatory reductions to all Departments.
• No waste of water.
• Implement monitoring and scheduling program.
• Close some public bathroom facilities.
• Select turf areas that will receive no water.
Public Institutions - Mandatory requirements
• Impose new monitoring and scheduling program.
• No water misuse or waste.
• Select turf areas that will receive no water.
Residential - Mandatory requirements.
• Impose new monitoring and scheduling program.
• No visual water misuse or waste.
• Water waste or misuse subject to new fines and
penalties.
Drought and Water Shortage Response Plan—Page 7
Commercial- Mandatory requirements.
• Impose new monitoring and scheduling program.
• High water users such as car washes and
Laundromats subject to restricted flows.
• Water waste or misuse subject to new fines and
penalties.
Industrial - Mandatory requirements.
• Impose new monitoring and scheduling program
• High water users subject to restricted flows.
• Water waste or misuse subject to new fines and
penalties.
Construction - Mandatory requirements.
• Only emergency construction water.
• No fire hydrant meters.
Drought and Water Shortage Response Plan—Page 8