Ord. 1591 2020-07-13ORDINANCE NO. 1591
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas, adopting
Water Conservation Plan and a Drought Contingency/Water Emergency
Response Plan (collectively, the "Plans") for the City of Pearland to promote
responsible use of water and to provide for penalties and/or the disconnection
of water service for noncompliance with the provisions of the Water
Conservation and Drought Contingency/Water Emergency Response Plan.
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that the amount of water available to its water
customers is limited; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that due to natural limitations, drought conditions,
system failures and other acts of God which may occur, the City cannot always guarantee an
uninterrupted water supply for all purposes; and,
WHEREAS, the Water Code and the regulations of the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality require that the City adopt a Water Conservation and a Drought
Contingency/Water Emergency Response Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined an urgent need in the best interest of the public
to adopt a Water Conservation Plan and a Drought Contingency/Water Emergency Response Plan;
and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 54 of the Local Government Code, the City is authorized to
adopt such Ordinances necessary to preserve and conserve its water resources; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pearland desires to adopt the Water Conservation
Plan and the Drought Contingency/Water Emergency Response Plan as official City policy for the
conservation of water; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS:
Section 1. The City Council hereby approves and adopts the Water Conservation Plan,
attached hereto as Exhibit "A." The City commits to implement the requirements and procedures
set forth in the adopted Plan.
Section 2. The City Council hereby approves and adopts the Drought Contingency
/Water Emergency Response Plan, attached hereto as Exhibit "B." The City commits to implement
the requirements and procedures set forth in the adopted Plan.
ORDINANCE NO. 1591
Section 3. The City Council does hereby find and declare that sufficient written notice of
the date, hour, place and subject of the meeting adopting this Ordinance was posted at designated
place convenient to the public for the time required by law preceding the meeting, that such place of
posting was readily accessible at all time to the general public, and that all of the foregoing was
done as required by law at all times during which this Ordinance and the subject matter thereof has
been discussed, considered and formally acted upon. The City Council further ratifies, approves
and confirms such written notice and the posting thereof.
Section 4. Penalty. Any customer defined pursuant to 30 Tex. Admin. Code Chapter 291
failing to comply with the provisions of the Plans shall be subject to a fine of up to two thousand
dollars ($2,000.00) and/or be subject to discontinuance of water service by the City. Proof of a
culpable mental state is not required for a conviction of an offense under this section. Each day a
customer fails to comply with the Plan is a separate violation. The City's authority to seek injunctive
or other civil relief available under the law Is not limited by this section.
Section 5. Savings. All rights and remedies which have accrued in favor of the City
under this Chapter and amendments thereto shall be and are preserved for the benefit of the City.
Section 6. Severability. Should any paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or work of this
Ordinance be declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the remainder of this Ordinance
shall not be affected.
Section 7. Repealer. City Ordinance 1508 is hereby repealed in its entirety.
Section 8. Effective Date. The City Secretary shall cause this Ordinance, or its caption
and penalty, to be published in the official newspaper of the City of Pearland, upon passage of such
Ordinance. The Ordinance shall then become effective ten (10) days from and after its passage on
the second and final reading.
Pa
ORDINANCE NO. 1591
Section 9. The City Manager or his designee is hereby directed to file a copy of the Plan
and this Ordinance with the Commission in accordance with Title 30, Chapter 288 of the Texas
Administrative Code.
PASSED and APPROVED ON FIRST READING this the 22nd day of June, A. D., 2020.
TOM REID
MAYOR
ATTEST:
likza-_
C)fYVFAL ROAN, TRMC, CMC
CIT SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DARRIN M. COKER
CITY ATTORNEY
3
ORDINANCE NO. 1591
PASSED and APPROVED ON SECOND AND FINAL READING this the 13th day of July, A.
D., 2020.
AT ST:
R,--
CftY'4AL ROAN, TRMC, CMC
CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Qale -- 7
DARRIN M. COKER
CITY ATTORNEY
0
TOM REID
MAYOR
Exhibit "A"
Water Conservation Plan
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City of Pearlan
2020 Water Conservation Plan
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PREPARED FOR:
City of Pearland
PREPARED BY:
Freese and Nichols, Inc.
11200 Broadway Street, Suite 2320
Pearland, Texas 77584
832-456-4732
EmlimNICHOLS
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PREPARED FOR:
City of Pearland
PREPARED BY:
Freese and Nichols, Inc.
11200 Broadway Street, Suite 2320
Pearland, Texas 77584
832-456-4732
EmlimNICHOLS
2020 Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
FOREWORD
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This Water Conservation Plan was prepared for the City of Pearland by Freese and Nichols, Inc., pursuant
to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rules, one of which is a requirement that all retail water
suppliers that serve 3,300 or more connections submit a water conservation plan every five years.' For
the purposes of regional coordination, the 2019 Water Conservation Plan' for the City of Houston
(Houston) was consulted. Similarly, the 2019 Water Conservation PIan4 for the Gulf Coast Water Authority
was consulted.
Questions regarding this Water Conservation Plan should be addressed to the following:
Adam Conner
Freese and Nichols, Inc.
(512) 617-3173
adam.conner@freese.com
Julian Kelly
City of Pearland
(281) 652-1934
ikelly@pearlandtx.Rov
This Water Conservation Plan is based on the Texas Administrative Code in effect on January 31, 2019 and
considers water conservation best management practices from Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
Report 362, Water Conservation Best Management Practices Guide.' In 2007, the state legislature created
the Water Conservation Advisory Council (WCAC) as a council with expertise in water conservation with
one of their charges to regularly review existing Best Management Practices (BMPs) and add additional
new BMPs as appropriate. The WCAC BMPs available as of January 31, 2019 have also been considered in
the preparation of this plan.
2020 Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction and Objectives..............................................................................................1-1
2. Definitions..........................................................................................................................2-1
3. Regulatory Basis for Water Conservation Plan..................................................................
3-1
3.1 TCEQ Rules Governing Conservation Plans.................................................................
3-1
3.2 Guidance and Methodology for Reporting on Water Conservation and Water Use..
3-2
4. Water Utility Profile and Description of the City of Pearland Service Area ......................4-1
5. Specification of Water Conservation Goals.......................................................................
5-1
6. Basic Water Conservation Strategies.................................................................................
6-1
6.1 Metering, Water Use Records, Control of Water Loss and, Leak Detection and Repair
6-1
6.1.1 Practices to Measure and Account for the Amount of Water Delivered from
Houston.......................................................................................................................
6-1
6.1.2 Monitoring and Record Management Program for Determining Deliveries,
Sales, and Losses.........................................................................................................
6-1
6.1.3 Leak Detection and Repair...............................................................................
6-3
6.2 Public Education Program...........................................................................................
6-3
6.3 Water Rate Structure..................................................................................................
6-4
6.4 Requirement for Water Conservation Plans by Wholesale Customers ......................
6-4
6.5 Reservoir System Operation Plan................................................................................
6-4
6.6 Water Conservation Implementation and Enforcement ............................................
6-4
6.7 Coordination with Regional Water Planning Groups..................................................6-5
7. Enhanced Water Conservation Strategies.........................................................................7-1
7.1 Reuse and Recycling of Wastewater...........................................................................
7-1
7.2 Ordinances, Pumbing Codes, or Rules on Water -Conserving Fixtures .......................
7-1
7.3 Landscape Water Conservation Measures..................................................................
7-1
7.4 Voluntary Water Conservation Measures...................................................................
7-2
8. Potential Future Conservation Programs..........................................................................
8-1
8.1 Landscape Water Conservation Measures..................................................................
8-1
8.2 Landscape Ordinances.................................................................................................8-1
8.3 Advanced Leak Detection and Repair.........................................................................
8-2
9. Adoption of Water Conservation Plan; Periodic Review and Update of Plan ...................
9-1
2020 Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
Appendix
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Authority
Appendix E
APPENDICES
List of References
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Rules
• Texas Administrative Code Title 30, Part 1, Chapter 288, Subchapter A, Rule §288.1—
Definitions (Page B-1)
• Texas Administrative Code Title 30, Part 1, Chapter 288, Subchapter A, Rule §288.2 —
Water Conservation Plans for Municipal Uses by Public Water Suppliers (Page B-5)
• Texas Administrative Code Title 30, Part 1, Chapter 288, Subchapter A, Rule §288.5 —
Water Conservation Plans for Wholesale Water Suppliers (Page B-9)
City of Pearland Water Utility Profile Based on TCEQ Format
Letters to Region H Water Planning Group, City of Houston and Gulf Coast Water
Adoption of the Water Conservation Plan
LIST OF TABLES
Table 5-1 Five -Year and Ten -Year Total GPCD Goals................................................................... 5-1
Table 6-1 Pearland Percent Water Loss.......................................................................................6-3
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 4-1: City of Pearland Per Capita Water Use....................................................................................4-2
Figure 4-2: City of Pearland Percent Water Loss.......................................................................................4-2
Figure 4-3: City of Pearland Retail Water Service Area.............................................................................4-3
Figure 5-1: Gallons Per Capita Per Day (GPCD) Goals (Total and Residential)...........................................5-2
2020 Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
1. INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
Water supply has always been a key issue in the development of Texas and the Houston region. In recent
years, the increasing population and economic development of the Houston area have led to growing
demands for water supplies. At the same time, local and less expensive sources of water supply are largely
already developed. Historic reliance on groundwater supplies in the area has caused subsidence in the
Gulf Coast aquifer. The Harris -Galveston Subsidence District and the Fort Bend Subsidence District were
created to reduce subsidence by reducing reliance on groundwater. Utilities in those districts are being
encouraged to transition from groundwater to surface water. The City of Pearland is diversifying its
supplies beyond groundwater, to include surface water and reuse. Additional surface water supplies to
meet higher demands will come at higher cost than current groundwater resources. Extending current
supplies will delay the need for new supplies, minimize the environmental impacts associated with
developing new supplies, and delay the high cost of additional water supply development.
Recognizing the need for efficient use of existing water supplies, the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality (TCEQ) has developed guidelines and requirements governing the development of water
conservation and drought contingency plans, one of which is a requirement that all retail water suppliers
that serve 3,300 or more connections submit a water conservation plan every five years. The TCEQ
guidelines and requirements are included in Appendix B. The City of Pearland (Pearland) has developed
this Water Conservation Plan in accordance with TCEQ guidelines and requirements. Since Pearland is a
wholesale water customer of the City of Houston (Houston), the 2019 Water Conservation Plan' for
Houston was consulted during the development of this Plan to ensure consistency. Similarly, the 2019
Water Conservation Plan' for the Gulf Coast Water Authority was consulted. This Water Conservation Plan
replaces Ordinance 1508 dated October 27, 2014.
The City of Pearland also recognizes that in order to achieve its goals of maximizing water conservation
and efficiency, it is necessary to develop and implement a water conservation plan that goes beyond basic
compliance with TCEQ guidelines and requirements. This plan reflects the City of Pearland's commitment
to enhanced water conservation and efficiency strategies — particularly those best management practices
(BMPs) established by the Water Conservation Implementation Task Forces and the Water Conservation
Advisory Council (WCAC), which were incorporated, where appropriate, in the development of these
water conservation measures. The Water Conservation Implementation Task Force developed the Texas
Water Development Board Report 362 Water Conservation Best Management Practices Guide in partial
2020 Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
fulfillment of the Texas Legislature's charge to the TCEQ and Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to
develop recommendations for optimum levels of water use efficiency and conservation in the State. The
WCAC has furthered the efforts of the Task Force by updating existing BMPs and creating new BMPs as
new technologies and programs arise.
The objectives of this Water Conservation Plan are as follows:
• To reduce water consumption from the levels that would prevail without conservation efforts.
• To reduce the loss and waste of water.
• To improve efficiency in the use of water.
• To encourage efficient outdoor water use.
• To extend the life of current water supplies by reducing the rate of growth in demand.
1-2
2020 Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
2. DEFINITIONS
1. ATHLETIC FIELD means a public sports competition field, the essential feature of which is turf
grass, used primarily for organized sports practice, competition or exhibition events for schools;
professional sports and league play sanctioned by the utility providing retail water supply.
2. COOL SEASON GRASSES are varieties of turf grass that grow best in cool climates primarily in
northern and central regions of the U.S. Cool season grasses include perennial and annual rye
grass, Kentucky blue grass and fescues.
3. CUSTOMER means any person, corporation, or organization using water supplied by the City of
Pearland.
4. DRIP IRRIGATION is a type of micro -irrigation system that operates at low pressure and delivers
water in slow, small drips to individual plants or groups of plants through a network of plastic
conduits and emitters; also called trickle irrigation.
5. EXTRA -TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION (ETJ) means an area outside of the city limits where cities can
regulate some activities.
6. IRRIGATION SYSTEM means a permanently installed, custom-made, site-specific system of
delivering water generally for landscape irrigation via a system of pipes or other conduits installed
below ground.
7. LANDSCAPE means any plant material on a property, including any tree, shrub, vine, herb, flower,
succulent, ground cover, grass or turf species, that is growing or has been planted out of doors.
8. MUNICIPAL USE means the use of potable water provided by a public water supplier as well as
the use of treated sewage effluent for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural,
institutional, and wholesale uses.
9. REUSE/RECYCLED WATER means reclaimed municipal wastewater that has been treated to a
quality that meets or exceeds the minimum standards of the 30 Texas Administrative Code,
Chapter 210 and is used for lawn irrigation, industry, or other non -potable purposes.
2-1
2020 Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
-M&
10. RESIDENTIAL GALLONS PER CAPITA PER DAY (Residential GPCD) is the total gallons sold for
residential use by a public water supplier divided by the residential population served and then
divided by the number of days in the year.
11. TOTAL GALLONS PER CAPITA PER DAY (Total GPCD) is the total amount of water purchased,
diverted and/or pumped for potable use divided by the total permanent population and then
divided by the number of days in the year. Diversion volumes of reuse as defined in TAC Chapter
288.1 shall be credited against total diversion volumes for the purposes of calculating GPCD for
targets and goals.
12. WATER CONSERVATION PLAN means this water conservation plan approved and adopted by the
City Council of Pearland on July 13, 2020.
Abbreviations
Abbreviation
AMI
Advanced Metering Infrastructure
BMP
Best Management Practice
GPCD
Gallons per Capita per Day
GPM
Gallons per Minute
MGD
Million Gallons per Day
TCEQ
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
TWDB
Texas Water Development Board
WCAC
Water Conservation Advisory Council
WCP
Water Conservation Plan
2-2
2020 Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
3. REGULATORY BASIS FOR WATER CONSERVATION PLAN
3.1 TCEQ RULES GOVERNING CONSERVATION PLANS
The TCEQ rules governing development of water conservation plans for public water suppliers are
contained in Title 30, Part 1, Chapter 288, Subchapter A, Rule 288.2 of the Texas Administrative Code,
which is included in Appendix B. For the purpose of these rules, a water conservation plan is defined as
"A strategy or combination of strategies for reducing the volume of water withdrawn from a water supply
source, for reducing the loss or waste of water, for maintaining or improving the efficiency in the use of
water, for increasing the reuse and recycling of water, and for preventing the pollution of water." The
elements in the TCEQ water conservation rules covered in this conservation plan are listed below.
Minimum Conservation Plan Requirements
The minimum requirements in the Texas Administrative Code for Water Conservation Plans for Public
Water Suppliers are covered in this report as follows:
• 288.2(a)(1)(A)
— Utility Profile — Section 4 and Appendix C
• 288.2(a)(1)(B)
— Record Management System — Section 6.1.2
• 288.2(a)(1)(C)
— Specific, Quantified Goals — Section 5
• 288.2(a)(1)(D)
— Accurate Metering — Section 6.1
• 288.2(a)(1)(E)
— Universal Metering — Section 6.1
• 288.2(a)(1)(F)
— Determination and Control of Water Loss — Section 6.1
• 288.2(a)(1)(G)
— Public Education and Information Program —Section 6.2
• 288.2(a)(1)(H)
— Non -Promotional Water Rate Structure — Section 6.3
• 288.2(a)(1)(1)
— Reservoir System Operation Plan — Section 6.S
• 288.2(a)(1)(J) — Means of Implementation and Enforcement — Section 6.6
• 288.2(a)(1)(K)
— Coordination with Regional Water Planning Group — Section 6.7 and Appendix D
• 288.2(c) — Review
and Update of Plan — Section 9
Conservation Additional Requirements (Population over 5,000)
The Texas Administrative Code includes additional requirements for water conservation plans for drinking
water supplies serving a population over 5,000:
• 288.2(a)(2)(A) — Leak Detection, Repair, and Water Loss Accounting — Section 6.1.3
• 288.2(a)(2)(B) — Requirement for Water Conservation Plans by Wholesale Customers —Section 6.4
3-1
2020 Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
Additional Conservation Strategies
jz�
The Texas Administrative Code lists additional conservation strategies, which may be adopted by suppliers
but are not required. Additional strategies adopted by the City of Pearland include the following:
• 288.2(a)(3)(A) — Conservation Oriented Water Rates — Section 6.3
• 288.2(a)(3)(B) — Ordinances, Plumbing Codes or Rules on Water -Conserving Fixtures —Section 7.2
• 288.2(a)(3)(D) — Reuse and Recycling of Wastewater—Section 7.1
• 288.2(a)(3)(F) — Considerations for Landscape Water Management Regulations — Section 7.3
3.2 GUIDANCE AND METHODOLOGY FOR REPORTING ON WATER CONSERVATION
AND WATER USE
In addition to TCEQ rules regarding water conservation, this plan also incorporates elements of the
Guidance and Methodology for Reporting on Water Conservation and Water Use developed by TWDB and
TCEQ, in consultation with the Water Conservation Advisory Council (the "Guidance" ).6 The Guidance was
developed in response to a charge by the 82nd Texas Legislature to develop water use and calculation
methodology and guidance for preparation of water use reports and water conservation plans in
accordance with TCEQ rules. The City of Pearland has considered elements of the Guidance in preparation
of this Plan.
3-2
2020 Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
4. WATER UTILITY PROFILE AND DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND SERVICE AREA
Appendix C to this Water Conservation Plan contains the Utility Profile for the City of Pearland presented
in the format recommended by the TCEQ.
Pearland provides retail service to residential and commercial customers; the city does not have any
wholesale customers. Pearland city limits encompass approximately 55 square miles. The 2017 population
is estimated at 119,700, which includes a small portion of the ETJ that City of Pearland serves. The city is
projected to continue to grow in the coming decades.
The City owns and operates ten water wells that have a combined pumping capacity of 12,825 gallons per
minute (gpm), or 18.47 million gallons per day (MGD). The current surface water contract for the Shadow
Creek Water Plant is take -or -pay with a maximum day capacity of 6 MGD. The current surface water
contract with the City of Houston routed through the Alice Water Plant is pay-as-you-go for 10 MGD. The
combined groundwater and surface water system capacity is 34.5 MGD. The City has initiated design of a
new 10 MGD surface water treatment plant west of State Highway 288.
Available city-wide ground and elevated storage capacities total 14.0 and 4.5 million gallons, respectively.
There are currently five wastewater treatment plants in the City of Pearland: JHEC, Longwood, Barry Rose,
Far Northwest, and Southdown. The current, total combined capacity of the plants is 12.55 MGD.'
Figure 4-1 shows the historic per capita use by the City of Pearland. These numbers represent the total
gallons per capita per day (GPCD) of Pearland customers between 2014 and 2018, to include all uses
(residential, commercial, irrigation, etc.). Pearland's five-year average during that period was 111 GPCD,
which is well below TWDB's recommended goal of 140 GPCD for utilities within Regional Water Planning
Groups. Figure 4-2 shows the historic percentage of water loss by the City of Pearland. The percentage
reported in 2016 appears to be anomalous, and further investigation into the methodology used to
calculate that percentage should be performed. Figure 4-3 is a map showing the service area for the City
of Pearland.
4-1
Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
118
116 A
114
112
110
108
106
104
102
2014
16%
14%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
0%
2014
Figure 4-1: City of Pearland Per Capita Water Use
F1
2015 2016 2017
♦ Total GPCD
Figure 4-2: City of Pearland Percent Water Loss
A
A
2015 2016 2017
L Water Loss
4-2
FI
2018
1
2018
Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
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Figure 4-3: City of Pearland Retail Water Service Area
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4-3
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FIGURE 4-3
CITY OF PEARLAND
CITY LIMITS
LEG E. N D
Pearland Cly Lkna _
Sc MUD 16
Q Pearland E TJ
BC MUD 2
Q County Boundary
BC MUD 3
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Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
S. SPECIFICATION OF WATER CONSERVATION GOALS
TCEQ rules require the adoption of specific water conservation goals for a water conservation plan.
Pearland has developed 5 -year and 10 -year goals for municipal per capita use. The goals for this water
conservation plan include the following:
• Maintain the 5 -year average total and residential per capita water use below the specified amount
in gallons per capita per day, as shown in the completed Table 5-1.
• Maintain the level of water loss percentage in the system below 12 percent annually in 2019 and
as discussed in Section 6.1.2 for subsequent years.
• Implement and maintain a program of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), universal
metering, and meter replacement and repair, as discussed in Section 6.1.2.
• Raise public awareness of water conservation and encourage responsible public behavior by a
public education and information program, as discussed in Section 6.2.
• Develop a system specific strategy to conserve water during peak demands, thereby reducing the
peak use.
• Delay and decrease capital expenditures required to serve Pearland's future growth.
Table 5-1 Five -Year and Ten -Year Total GPCD Goals
Description
Current
Average
5 -Year
Goal
10 -Year
Goal
Total Per Capita Use (GPCD)'
111
109
107
Residential Per Capita Use (GPCD)6
65
64
63
Water Loss (GPCD)`
13.6
12.1
10.7
Water Loss (Percentage)d
12.2%
11.1%
10.0%
a. Total GPCD = (Total Gallons Purchased from Houston & Self -Supplied Water- Permanent Population) _ 365
b. Residential GPCD = (Gallons Used for Residential Use _ Residential Population) - 365
C. Water Loss GPCD = (Total Water Loss _ Permanent Population) _ 365
d. Water Loss Percentage = (Total Water Loss _ Total Gallons in System) x 100; or (Water Loss GPCD _ Total GPCD) x 100
These goals are for a 5 -year average, and therefore some years (dry years) will see higher per
capita usage than these average goals. A series of dry years might lead to an average exceeding
the goal.
5-1
Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
Figure 5-1: Gallons Per Capita Per Day (GPCD) Goals (Total and Residential)
140
In
a 120
0
co 100 --
0
L
a� 80
0
2014
♦ Total GPCD
2019 2024
e Residential GPCD
—Total GPCD Goals
5-2
Residential GPCD Goals
C
60
U
L
a
40
20
C7
0
2014
♦ Total GPCD
2019 2024
e Residential GPCD
—Total GPCD Goals
5-2
Residential GPCD Goals
Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
6. BASIC WATER CONSERVATION STRATEGIES
6.1 METERING, WATER USE RECORDS, CONTROL OF WATER LOSS AND, LEAK
DETECTION AND REPAIR
One of the key elements in water conservation is careful tracking of water use and control of losses.
Accurate metering of water deliveries, detection and repair of leaks in the raw water delivery and potable
water distribution systems and regular monitoring of water loss are important elements of the City of
Pearland's program to control losses.
6.1.1 Practices to Measure and Account for the Amount of Water Delivered
from Houston
Water pumped from groundwater supplies is metered by the City of Pearland with accuracy of
±5%. Water deliveries from the City of Houston are metered by the City of Houston using meters
with accuracy of ±2%. The City of Houston maintains a program to pull, test and replace any
meters determined to be functioning outside of these parameters.
6.1.2 Monitoring and Record Management Program for Determining
Deliveries, Sales, and Losses
Except for some public uses, the City of Pearland meters all water users. The City is installing
meters on all new public uses and the City is implementing a program to have all existing users
metered by 2019. The City converted all meters to automated meters in the early 2000s. Pearland
has not had a formal meter testing program in recent years, but meter testing is conducted for
any meter which displays unusual results. Accuracy of the meters has been good and has not
required a formal meter testing program, but the City plans to implement such a program by 2024.
Nonrevenue water is the difference between produced/purchased water and metered water
sales to customers plus authorized but unmetered uses. Nonrevenue water can be caused by the
following:
• Inaccuracies in customer meters
• Accounts which are being used but have not yet been added to the billing system
• Losses due to water main breaks and leaks in the water distribution system
• Losses due to illegal connections and theft
• Other
6-1
Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
Measures to control nonrevenue water are part of the routine operations of the City. A leak
detection and repair program is described in Section 6.1.3 below. Meter readers actively watch
for and report signs of illegal connections, so they can be quickly addressed.
Water and wastewater utilities increasingly face challenges associated with population growth
that cannot be offset by reduced per capita consumption, and aging infrastructure that will
require significant investment. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is one tool in the toolbox
of a smart and effective utility which can serve to reduce per capita consumption and therefore
delay the need for major capital expenses and rate adjustments, improve customer service, detect
potential leaks, and streamline operational decision making and reduce operational costs. City of
Pearland is initiating a pilot of an AMI program.
As required by Texas Administrative Code Title 30, Part 1, Chapter 288, Subchapter A, Rule 288.2
(a)(1)(B), Pearland's record management system allows for the separation of water sales and uses
into residential and non-residential classes. The non-residential water use can be tracked by the
use of codes into the required categories of commercial, public/institutional, and industrial use
categories. Pearland's record management system allows water sales and uses to be tracked as
separate categories and includes water sales to multi -family housing in the residential sales
category. This information is included in the TCEQ required Water Conservation Implementation
Report, as described in Section 6.6.
To track its progress in reducing water losses, the City's Public Works department will perform a
monthly water audit, comparing the amount of water purchased from Houston and self -supplied
with that distributed through metered sales. A report is prepared outlining the monthly variance
in percentage of water loss. The City also performs an annual audit comparing the same data on
a calendar year basis.
Total water loss is the difference between water delivered from City of Houston and self -supplied
groundwater, minus authorized consumption by Pearland's customers. Authorized consumption
includes billed metered uses, unbilled metered uses, and unbilled unmetered uses such as
firefighting and releases for flushing of lines. Water losses include two categories:
• Apparent losses such as inaccuracies in customer meters. (Customer meters tend to run more
slowly as they age and under -report actual use). Unauthorized consumption due to illegal
connections and theft.
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• Real Losses due to water main breaks and leaks in the water distribution system and
unreported losses
Measures to control water losses are part of the routine operations of the City of Pearland.
Maintenance crews and personnel are asked to look for and report evidence of leaks in the water
distribution system. The leak detection and repair program is described in Section 6.1.3 below.
Meter readers are asked to watch for and report signs of illegal connections, so they can be
addressed quickly.
Table 6-1 shows Pearland's annual water loss percent from 2014-2018. This Plan considers the
average from 2014-2018 to be representative of current water loss conditions in Pearland. The
average water loss percent during 2014-2018 is approximately 12.2%.
Tal
ale 6-1 Pearland
2014
Percent Water L
14.7%
2015
14.7%
2016
4.5%
2017
12.4%
2018
14.9%
oss
6.1.3 Leak Detection and Repair
As they travel the city performing regular duties, maintenance crews and personnel actively look
for and report evidence of leaks in the water distribution system. Areas of the water distribution
system in which numerous leaks and line breaks occur will be targeted for replacement as funds
are available.
6.2 PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM
The continuing public education and information campaign on water conservation includes the following
elements:
• Notify customers through newspapers, e-mail, city website, and bill inserts.
• The City website (https://www.pearlandtx.gov/) includes information on water conservation tips.
• Notify local organizations, schools and civic groups that staff are available to make presentations
on Pearland's water conservation programs.
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• Consider developing or providing a water conservation curriculum for Pearland Public Schools.
• Consider providing a water conservation booth at public events in which the City participates.
6.3 WATER RATE STRUCTURE
Pearland has an increasing block water rate structure that promotes water conservation for residential,
commercial and irrigation customers (https://www.pearlandtx.gov/departments/disposal-
services/water-rate). The rates are established following a cost of service study by an outside rate
consultant. Rates are set to generate the revenues needed to operate and maintain the system and to
meet debt service requirements. Pearland utilizes a rate structure that includes a base rate for water
service and four tiers of increasing prices for increased water usage for residential customers. Commercial
and irrigation customer classes have a base rate for water service and one tier for water usage.
6.4 REQUIREMENT FOR WATER CONSERVATION PLANS BY WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS
Every contract for the wholesale sale of water that is entered into, renewed, or extended after the
adoption of this Water Conservation Plan will include a requirement that the wholesale customer and any
wholesale customers of that wholesale customer develop and implement a water conservation plan
meeting the requirements of Title 30, Part 1, Chapter 288, Subchapter A, Rule 288.2 of the Texas
Administrative Code. The requirement will also extend to each successive wholesale customer in the
resale of the water. Each customer shall submit its water conservation plan or water conservation
measures to the City of Pearland for review. Each customer shall also submit any changes or amendments
to its water conservation plan or water conservation measures to the City of Pearland for review.
6.5 RESERVOIR SYSTEM OPERATION PLAN
The City of Pearland purchases water from Houston and does not have surface water supplies for which
to implement a reservoir operation plan.
6.6 WATER CONSERVATION IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
The City of Pearland completes the TCEQ required Water Conservation Implementation Report by May 1
of each year. The report includes various water conservation strategies that have been implemented,
including the date of implementation. Additionally, the report includes progress made on the five- and
ten-year per capita water use goals from this Plan. If the goals are not being met, Pearland must document
the reasons why. The amount of water saved is also documented in this report.
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Appendix E contains a copy of the Ordinance adopted by the City Council regarding this Water
Conservation Plan. The Ordinance designates responsible officials to implement and enforce the Water
Conservation Plan.
6.7 COORDINATION WITH REGIONAL WATER PLANNING GROUPS
Appendix D includes a letter sent to the Chair of the Region H Water Planning Group, City of Houston and
Gulf Coast Water Authority with this Water Conservation Plan. The adopted ordinances and the adopted
water utility profile were also sent to the Chair of the Region H Water Planning Group, City of Houston
and Gulf Coast Water Authority.
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7. ENHANCED WATER CONSERVATION STRATEGIES
The City of Pearland has implemented a number of enhanced water conservation measures which are
outlined below.
7.1 REUSE AND RECYCLING OF WASTEWATER
The City of Pearland treats wastewater at five wastewater treatment plants with a total capacity of 12.55
MGD. Reuse water is used for washdown at the wastewater treatment plants. Plans have been developed
with Brazoria County MUD #4 to use effluent for golf course irrigation, but this is not currently being done.
There are also plans to use effluent to irrigate a proposed arboretum/nature center.
7.2 ORDINANCES, PUMBING CODES, OR RULES ON WATER -CONSERVING FIXTURES
The City operates under the International Plumbing Code. This code has been formally adopted by the
City Council and is included in the Code of Ordinances
(https://library.municode.com/tx/pearland/codes/code of ordinances?nodeld=COOR CH23PLGA ARTI
PLCO S23-1PLCOAD). The City routinely inspects new construction, remodeling, add-ons, etc., through
building permits to ensure installation of fixtures adheres to current codes.
The state standards call for flows of no more than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) for faucets, 2.5 gpm for
showerheads, and 1.28 gallons per flush for toilets and 0.5 gallons per flush for urinals. Similar standards
are now required nationally under federal law. These state and federal standards assure that all new
construction and renovations will use water -conserving fixtures.
7.3 LANDSCAPE WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES
The City is currently considering adoption of a landscape management ordinance. Among the measures
that such an ordinance might include are:
• Prohibition of watering of impervious surfaces (wind driven water drift will be taken into
consideration).
• Prohibition of outdoor watering during precipitation or freeze events.
• Rain and freeze sensors required on all new irrigation systems. Rain and freeze sensors must be
maintained to function properly.
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• Requirement that all new irrigation systems be in compliance with state design and installation
regulations (TAC Title 30, Part 1, Chapter 344).
7.4 VOLUNTARY WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES
The City recommends voluntary water use restrictions beginning July 1 and ending October 1 of each year:
• Measures to be implemented directly by the City of Pearland to manage limited water supplies
and/or reduce water demand:
o Reduced or discontinued flushing of water mains
• Water customers are encouraged to voluntarily limit landscape irrigation use to even numbered
days of the month for customers with street address ending in an even number (0,2,4,6,8), and
odd numbered days of the month for water customers with a street address ending in an odd
number (1,3,5,7,9), and to irrigate landscapes between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and
between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on designated watering days, except:
o Landscape irrigation use is permitted at any time if it is by means of a faucet filled bucket
or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, hand-held hose, or drip irrigation.
• Water customers are requested to practice water conservation and to minimize or discontinue
non-essential water use.
• Discourage overseeding, sodding, sprigging, broadcasting or plugging with cool season grasses or
watering cool season grasses, except for golf courses and competition athletic fields.
• Encourage that all new irrigation systems be in compliance with state design and installation
regulations (TAC Title 30, Part 1, Chapter 344).
• Native, drought tolerant or adaptive plants should be encouraged.
• Drip irrigation systems should be promoted.
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8. POTENTIAL FUTURE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
8.1 LANDSCAPE WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES
Other utilities in the region are exploring mandatory no more than twice per week watering schedules,
either year-round or seasonal. Implementing such an ordinance could save a utility in the Houston area
between 2 percent and 7 percent from their total municipal demand.' In order to estimate the potential
savings that the City of Pearland might realize, a study specific to Pearland would need to be conducted.
The City of Pearland would engage its community in the future, for the purpose of getting feedback that
would improve the appropriateness of a potential ordinance related to mandatory no more than twice
per week watering. During the development of this potential watering schedule, the City will use the
following public involvement tools to gain feedback:
• Public meeting facilitated by public relations professionals
• Social media outreach
• Informational handouts
8.2 LANDSCAPE ORDINANCES
The City of Pearland is projected to have substantial population growth in the next fifty years. The
additional population will require additional housing. Review of existing landscape ordinances may be
conducted through an inter -departmental process with regular meetings between departments. The
process may include:
• Review of the existing ordinances for alignment with the goals of this Plan.
• Benchmarking of the current landscape ordinance with ordinances from other cities promoting
water conservation.
• Identification of drought tolerant turf, groundcover, shrubs and trees that are allowed to be
planted at new homes.
• Integrating landscape ordinances and other outdoor conservation strategies into land use
planning.
• Providing opportunity for feedback from interested parties and citizens.
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8.3 ADVANCED LEAK DETECTION AND REPAIR
Areas of the water distribution system in which numerous leaks and line breaks occur are targeted for
replacement as funds are available. To track its progress in reducing water losses, the City will perform a
monthly water audit, comparing the amount of water purchased from Houston and self -supplied with
that distributed through metered sales. A report is prepared outlining the monthly variance in percentage
of water loss. The City also performs an annual audit comparing the same data on a calendar year basis.
All of these programs over the next few years are in an effort to achieve the water loss goals identified in
Section 5 of this Plan.
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9. ADOPTION OF WATER CONSERVATION PLAN; PERIODIC REVIEW
AND UPDATE OF PLAN
Opportunity for public comment on the plan was provided at Pearland City Council meetings on June 22,
2020 and July 13, 2020. Appendix E contains a copy of the minutes of the July 13, 2020 City Council
meeting at which this Water Conservation Plan was adopted. The ordinance designates responsible
officials to implement and enforce the Water Conservation Plan.
TCEQ requires that water conservation plans be reviewed and, if necessary, updated every five years to
coincide with the regional water planning process. This Water Conservation Plan will be updated as
required by TCEQ, and in addition, will be continually reassessed for opportunities to improve water
efficiency and conservation based on new or updated information.
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Appendix A
List of References
Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
Appendix A
List of References
1. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Annual Report.
https://www.tceg.texas.gov/assets/public/perm itti ng/forms/20645. pdf
2. Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code, Part 1, Chapter 288, Subchapter A, Rules 288.1 and
288.5, and Subchapter B, Rule 288.22, downloaded from
http://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac view=4&ti=30&pt=1&ch=288
January 2019.
3. City of Houston, "Water Conservation Plan", prepared by City of Houston, July 2019.
4. Gulf Coast Water Authority, "Water Conservation Plan for Gulf Coast Water Authority",
prepared by Gulf Coast Water Authority, June 2019.
5. Water Conservation Implementation Task Force: "Texas Water Development Board Report 362,
Water Conservation Best Management Practices Guide," prepared for the Texas Water
Development Board, Austin, November 2004.
6. Texas Water Development Board, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water
Conservation Advisory Council. "Guidance and Methodology for Water Conservation Reporting."
7. City of Pearland, "2018 Water and Wastewater Impact Fee Update", prepared by Freese and
Nichols, Inc., April 2018.
8. Texas Living Waters Project. "Water Conservation By The Yard: A Statewide Analysis of Outdoor
Water Savings Potential.", March 2018
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Appendix 8
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Rules
Water Conservation Plan �I',EN t!\1„
City of Pearland
Appendix B
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Rules on Municipal Water Conservation and Drought
Contingency Plans
TITLE 30 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
PART 1 TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
CHAPTER 288 WATER CONSERVATION PLANS, DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLANS, GUIDELINES AND
REQUIREMENTS
SUBCHAPTER A WATER CONSERVATION PLANS
RULE§288.1 Definitions
The following words and terms,when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1)Agricultural or Agriculture--Any of the following activities
(A) cultivating the soil to produce crops for human food, animal feed, or planting seed or for the
production of fibers,
(B) the practice of floriculture, viticulture, silviculture, and horticulture, including the cultivation of
plants in containers or non-soil media by a nursery grower;
(C) raising, feeding, or keeping animals for breeding purposes or for the production of food or fiber,
leather, pelts, or other tangible products having a commercial value,
(D) raising or keeping equine animals,
(E) wildlife management; and
(F) planting cover crops, including cover crops cultivated for transplantation, or leaving land idle for
the purpose of participating in any governmental program or normal crop or livestock rotation
procedure
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(2) Agricultural use --Any use or activity involving agriculture, including irrigation.
(3) Best management practices --Voluntary efficiency measures that save a quantifiable amount of
water, either directly or indirectly, and that can be implemented within a specific time frame.
(4) Conservation --Those practices, techniques, and technologies that reduce the consumption of water,
reduce the loss or waste of water, improve the efficiency in the use of water, or increase the recycling
and reuse of water so that a water supply is made available for future or alternative uses.
(5) Commercial use --The use of water by a place of business, such as a hotel, restaurant, or office
building. This does not include multi -family residences or agricultural, industrial, or institutional users.
(6) Drought contingency plan --A strategy or combination of strategies for temporary supply and
demand management responses to temporary and potentially recurring water supply shortages and
other water supply emergencies. A drought contingency plan may be a separate document identified as
such or may be contained within another water management document(s).
(7) Industrial use --The use of water in processes designed to convert materials of a lower order of value
into forms having greater usability and commercial value, and the development of power by means other
than hydroelectric, but does not include agricultural use.
(8) Institutional use --The use of water by an establishment dedicated to public service, such as a school,
university, church, hospital, nursing home, prison or government facility. All facilities dedicated to public
service are considered institutional regardless of ownership.
(9) Irrigation --The agricultural use of water for the irrigation of crops, trees, and pastureland, including,
but not limited to, golf courses and parks which do not receive water from a public water supplier.
(10) Irrigation water use efficiency --The percentage of that amount of irrigation water which is
beneficially used by agriculture crops or other vegetation relative to the amount of water diverted from
the source(s) of supply. Beneficial uses of water for irrigation purposes include, but are not limited to,
evapotranspiration needs for vegetative maintenance and growth, salinity management, and leaching
requirements associated with irrigation.
(11) Mining use --The use of water for mining processes including hydraulic use, drilling, washing sand
and gravel, and oil field re -pressuring.
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=I&
(12) Municipal use --The use of potable water provided by a public water supplier as well as the use of
sewage effluent for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, institutional, and wholesale uses.
(13) Nursery grower --A person engaged in the practice of floriculture, viticulture, silviculture, and
horticulture, including the cultivation of plants in containers or nonsoil media, who grows more than 50%
of the products that the person either sells or leases, regardless of the variety sold, leased, or grown. For
the purpose of this definition, grow means the actual cultivation or propagation of the product beyond
the mere holding or maintaining of the item prior to sale or lease, and typically includes activities
associated with the production or multiplying of stock such as the development of new plants from
cuttings, grafts, plugs, or seedlings.
(14) Pollution --The alteration of the physical, thermal, chemical, or biological quality of, or the
contamination of, any water in the state that renders the water harmful, detrimental, or injurious to
humans, animal life, vegetation, or property, or to the public health, safety, or welfare, or impairs the
usefulness or the public enjoyment of the water for any lawful or reasonable purpose.
(15) Public water supplier --An individual or entity that supplies water to the public for human
consumption.
(16) Residential use --The use of water that is billed to single and multi -family residences, which applies
to indoor and outdoor uses.
(17) Residential gallons per capita per day --The total gallons sold for residential use by a public water
supplier divided by the residential population served and then divided by the number of days in the year.
(18) Regional water planning group --A group established by the Texas Water Development Board to
prepare a regional water plan under Texas Water Code, §16.053.
(19) Retail public water supplier --An individual or entity that for compensation supplies water to the
public for human consumption. The term does not include an individual or entity that supplies water to
itself or its employees or tenants when that water is not resold to or used by others.
(20) Reuse --The authorized use for one or more beneficial purposes of use of water that remains
unconsumed after the water is used for the original purpose of use and before that water is either
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disposed of or discharged or otherwise allowed to flow into a watercourse, lake, or other body of state-
owned water.
(21) Total use --The volume of raw or potable water provided by a public water supplier to billed
customer sectors or nonrevenue uses and the volume lost during conveyance, treatment, or transmission
of that water.
(22) Total gallons per capita per day (GPCD)--The total amount of water diverted and/or pumped for
potable use divided bythe total permanent population divided by the days of the year. Diversion volumes
of reuse as defined in this chapter shall be credited against total diversion volumes for the purposes of
calculating GPCD for targets and goals.
(24) Water conservation plan --A strategy or combination of strategies for reducing the volume of water
withdrawn from a water supply source, for reducing the loss or waste of water, for maintaining or
improving the efficiency in the use of water, for increasing the recycling and reuse of water, and for
preventing the pollution of water. A water conservation plan may be a separate document identified as
such or may be contained within another water management document(s).
(24) Water conservation plan --A strategy or combination of strategies for reducing the volume of water
withdrawn from a water supply source, for reducing the loss or waste of water, for maintaining or
improving the efficiency in the use of water, for increasing the recycling and reuse of water, and for
preventing the pollution of water. A water conservation plan may be a separate document identified as
such or may be contained within another water management document(s).
(25) Wholesale public water supplier --An individual or entity that for compensation supplies water to
anotherfor resale to the public for human consumption. The term does not include an individual or entity
that supplies water to itself or its employees or tenants as an incident of that employee service or tenancy
when that water is not resold to or used by others, or an individual or entity that conveys water to
another individual or entity, but does not own the right to the water which is conveyed, whether or not
for a delivery fee.
(26) Wholesale use --Water sold from one entity or public water supplier to other retail water purveyors
for resale to individual customers.
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Source Note: The provisions of this §288.1 adopted to be effective May 3, 1993, 18 TexReg 2558;
amended to be effective February 21, 1999, 24 TexReg 949; amended to be effective April 27, 2000, 25
TexReg 3544; amended to be effective August 15, 2002, 27 TexReg 7146; amended to be effective
October 7, 2004, 29 TexReg 9384; amended to be effective January 10, 2008, 33 TexReg 193; amended
to be effective December 6, 2012, 37 TexReg 9515; amended to be effective August 16, 2018, 43 TexReg
5218
TITLE 30
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
PART 1 TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
CHAPTER 288 WATER CONSERVATION PLANS, DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLANS,
GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS
SUBCHAPTER A WATER CONSERVATION PLANS
RULE §288.2 Water Conservation Plans for Municipal Uses by Public Water Suppliers
(a) A water conservation plan for municipal water use by public water suppliers must provide information
in response to the following. If the plan does not provide information for each requirement, the public
water supplier shall include in the plan an explanation of why the requirement is not applicable.
(1) Minimum requirements. All water conservation plans for municipal uses by public water suppliers
must include the following elements:
(A) a utility profile in accordance with the Texas Water Use Methodology, including, but not limited to,
information regarding population and customer data, water use data (including total gallons per capita
per day (GPCD) and residential GPCD), water supply system data, and wastewater system data;
(B) a record management system which allows for the classification of water sales and uses into the
most detailed level of water use data currently available to it, including, if possible, the sectors listed in
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IL
clauses (i) - (vi) of this subparagraph. Any new billing system purchased by a public water supplier must
be capable of reporting detailed water use data as described in clauses (i) - (vi) of this subparagraph:
(i) residential;
(1) single family;
(11) multi -family;
(ii) commercial;
(iii) institutional;
(iv) industrial;
(v) agricultural; and,
(vi) wholesale.
(C) specific, quantified five-year and ten-year targets for water savings to include goals for water loss
programs and goals for municipal use in total GPCD and residential GPCD. The goals established by a
public water supplier under this subparagraph are not enforceable;
(D) metering device(s), within an accuracy of plus or minus 5.0% in order to measure and account for
the amount of water diverted from the source of supply;
(E) a program for universal metering of both customer and public uses of water, for meter testing and
repair, and for periodic meter replacement;
(F) measures to determine and control water loss (for example, periodic visual inspections along
distribution lines; annual or monthly audit of the water system to determine illegal connections;
abandoned services; etc.);
(G) a program of continuing public education and information regarding water conservation;
(H) a water rate structure which is not "promotional," i.e., a rate structure which is cost -based and
which does not encourage the excessive use of water;
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(1) a reservoir systems operations plan, if applicable, providing for the coordinated operation of
reservoirs owned by the applicant within a common watershed or river basin in order to optimize
available water supplies; and
(J) a means of implementation and enforcement which shall be evidenced by:
(i) a copy of the ordinance, resolution, or tariff indicating official adoption of the water conservation
plan by the water supplier; and
(ii) a description of the authority by which the water supplier will implement and enforce the
conservation plan; and
(K) documentation of coordination with the regional water planning groups for the service area of the
public water supplier in order to ensure consistency with the appropriate approved regional water plans.
(2) Additional content requirements. Water conservation plans for municipal uses by public drinking
water suppliers serving a current population of 5,000 or more and/or a projected population of 5,000 or
more within the next ten years subsequent to the effective date of the plan must include the following
elements:
(A) a program of leak detection, repair, and water loss accounting for the water transmission, delivery,
and distribution system;
(B) a requirement in every wholesale water supply contract entered into or renewed after official
adoption of the plan (by either ordinance, resolution, or tariff), and including any contract extension,
that each successive wholesale customer develop and implement a water conservation plan or water
conservation measures using the applicable elements in this chapter. If the customer intends to resell
the water, the contract between the initial supplier and customer must provide that the contract for the
resale of the water must have water conservation requirements so that each successive customer in the
resale of the water will be required to implement water conservation measures in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter.
(3) Additional conservation strategies. Any combination of the following strategies shall be selected by
the water supplier, in addition to the minimum requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection,
if they are necessary to achieve the stated water conservation goals of the plan. The commission may
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require that any of the following strategies be implemented by the water supplier if the commission
determines that the strategy is necessary to achieve the goals of the water conservation plan:
(A) conservation -oriented water rates and water rate structures such as uniform or increasing block
rate schedules, and/or seasonal rates, but not flat rate or decreasing block rates;
(B) adoption of ordinances, plumbing codes, and/or rules requiring water -conserving plumbing fixtures
to be installed in new structures and existing structures undergoing substantial modification or addition;
(C) a program for the replacement or retrofit of water -conserving plumbing fixtures in existing
structures;
(D) reuse and/or recycling of wastewater and/or graywater;
(E) a program for pressure control and/or reduction in the distribution system and/or for customer
connections;
(F) a program and/or ordinance(s) for landscape water management;
(G) a method for monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of the water conservation plan; and
(H) any other water conservation practice, method, or technique which the water supplier shows to
be appropriate for achieving the stated goal or goals of the water conservation plan.
(b) A water conservation plan prepared in accordance with 31 TAC §363.15 (relating to Required Water
Conservation Plan) of the Texas Water Development Board and substantially meeting the requirements
of this section and other applicable commission rules may be submitted to meet application
requirements in accordance with a memorandum of understanding between the commission and the
Texas Water Development Board.
(c) A public water supplier for municipal use shall review and update its water conservation plan, as
appropriate, based on an assessment of previous five-year and ten-year targets and any other new or
updated information. The public water supplier for municipal use shall review and update the next
revision of its water conservation plan every five years to coincide with the regional water planning
group.
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Source Note: The provisions of this §288.2 adopted to be effective May 3, 1993, 18 TexReg 2558;
amended to be effective February 21, 1999, 24 TexReg 949; amended to be effective April 27, 2000, 25
TexReg 3544; amended to be effective October 7, 2004, 29 TexReg 9384; amended to be effective
December 6, 2012, 37 TexReg 9515
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Appendix C
City of Pearland Water Utility Profile Based on TCEQ
Format
Water Conservation Plan - Appendix C
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
UTILITY PROFILE AND WATER CONSERVATION PLAN
W-ft� REQUIREMENTS FOR MUNICIPAL WATER USE
BY RETAIL PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIERS
XECI
is form is provided to assist retail public water suppliers in water conservation plan development. If you need assistance in
mpleting this form or in developing your plan, please contact the conservation staff of the Resources Protection Team in the Water
ailability Division at (512)239-4691.
City of Pearland - Utility Profile Based on TCEQ Format
Name:
City of Pearland
Address:
3501 East Orange Street
Pearland, TX 77581
Telephone Number:
281-652-1934
Water Right No.(s):
5714
Regional Water Planning Group:
Region H
Form Completed by:
Adam Conner
Title:
Freese and Nichols
Person responsible for implementing
conservation program:
Julian Kelly
Signature:
Date: 12/17/2019
NOTE: If the plan does not provide information for each requirement, include an explanation of why the
requirement is not applicable.
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Water Conservation Plan - Appendix C
UTILITY PROFILE
I. POPULATION AND CUSTOMER DATA
A. Population and Service Area Data
1. Attach a copy of your service -area map.
See figure of service area in WCP
2. Service area size (square miles): 55
3. Current population of service area: 124,000
4. Current population served for:
a. water: 124,000
b. wastewater: 124,000
5. Population served by utility for the
previous five years:
6. Projected Population for service area in the following
decades:
Year
Population
Year
Population
2014
108,000
2020
127,750
2015
115,600
2030
138,885
2016
119,700
2040
152,780
2017
119,700
2050
166,675
2018
124,000
2060
180,573
7. List source or method for the calculation of current and projected population size.
Previous and current populations are sourced from Pearland's TWDB Wafer Audit Reports. Projected population is from the
draft 2021 Region H Water Plan.
B. Customers Data
Senate Bill 181 requires that uniform consistent methodologies for calculating water use and conservation be
developed and available to retail water providers and certain other water use sectors as a guide for preparation of
water use reports, water conservation plans, and reports on water conservation efforts. A water system must provide
the most detailed level of customer and water use data available to it, however, any new billing system purchased
must be capable of reporting data for each of the sectors listed below. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/
perm itti ng/watersu pply/water_rights/sb181_guida nce. pdf
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1. Current number of active connections. Check whether multi -family service is counted as
Residential o or Commercial? ❑
Note: This is for the year 2018.
Treated Water Users Metered Non -Metered Totals
Residential - Single Family
34,971
34,971
Residential - Multi Family
196
196
Institutional
311
311
Commercial
2,230
2,230
Industrial
61
61
Agriculture
5
5
Total Unmetered
973 973
1,946
TOTAL
37,774 973
39,720
2. List the number of new connections per year
for most recent three years.
0
Note: Peorlond counted apartment units as individual connections in 2015, then counted apartment complexes as
individual connections in subsequent years.
-5,041
-39
Year
2016 2017
2018
Treated Water Users
Residential - Single Family
1,117
-636
2,026
Residential - Multi Family
-6,400
-18
68
Institutional
-295
20
240
Commercial
1,043
-489
730
Industrial
-10
-42
61
Agriculture
-496
1,126
-1,121
Total Unmetered
0
0
973
TOTAL
-5,041
-39
2,977
3. List of annual water use for the five highest volume customers.
Note: This represents highest retail customers in 2018
Customer
Use (1,000 gal/year)
Treated or
Raw Water
1. SHADOW CREEK RANCH MA
59,616
Treated
2. PEARLAND ISD
55,322
Treated
3. SOUTHERN TRAILS R.A. INC
32,095
Treated
4. TRANQU I LITY BAY APTS
23,853
Treated
5. MAR SHADOW CREEK LP
23.696
Treated
C-3
Water Conservation Plan - Appendix C
II. WATER USE DATA FOR SERVICE AREA
A. Water Accounting Data
1. List the amount of water use for the previous five years (in 1,000 gallons.)
Indicate whether this is 121 diverted or 121 treated water.
Year
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Month
January
313,778
321,227
328,878
354,697
364,232
February
281,657
301,518
331,381
324,955
298,440
March
329,999
329,936
385,401
380,590
373,110
April
378,404
318,916
396,963
421,848
407,619
May
438,741
358,599
397,481
499,213
491,064
June
434,077
379,399
369,862
445,750
489,434
July
447,100
534,726
505,254
493,462
550,310
August
491,231
604,091
425,550
470,473
589,369
September
399,763
447,316
394,874
440,976
393,917
October
371,198
255,275
445,367
443,859
395,309
November
342,193
311,957
377,817
407,197
336,796
December
328,568
334,615
344,467
340,838
333,945
Totals
4,556,709
4,497,575
4,703,295
5,023,858
5,023,545
Describe how the
above figures were determined
(e.g, from a master meter
located at the point of a diversion from
the source, or located
at a point
where raw water enteres the treatment plant, or from water sales).
Surface water purchased from the City of Houston and
GCWA. Groundwater
is self -supplied.
2. Amount of water (in 1,000 gallons) delivered/sold as recorded by the following account types for the past five years
Year
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Account Types
Residential
2,521,072
2,784,463
3,020,920
2,803,195
2,908,338
Single -Family
2,521,072
2,597,265
2,651,500
2,597,674
2,650,636
Multi -Family
0
187,198
369,421
205,521
257,702
Commercial
690,787
401,236
1,319,140
531,717
503,386
Institutional
0
35,146
70,819
56,901
190,644
Industrial
0
27,015
112,119
0
26,094
Agriculture
422,738
411,317
0
550,833
401,862
TOTAL
3,634,597
3,659,176
4,522,999
3,942,646
4,030,324
C-4
Water Conservation Plan - Appendix C
3. List the previous records for water loss for the past five years (the difference between water purchased, diverted or
treated and water delivered or sold).
Year
Amount (gallons)
Percent
2014
670,864,529
14.7%
2015
689,897,900
14.7%
2016
216,290,905
4.5%
2017
567,408,143
12.4%
2018
746,509,226
14.9%
B. Projected Water Demands
If applicable, attach or cite projected water supply demands from the applicable Regional Water Planning Group for the next ten
years using information such as population trends, historical water use, and economic growth in the service area over the next
ten years and any additional water supply requirements from such growth.
Year
Projected Demand (AF/Y)
Source of data
2018
15,417
Historical Demand
2019
16,876
Interpolated
2020
18,335
2021 Region H Water Plan
2021
18,465
Interpolated
2022
18,596
Interpolated
2023
18,726
Interpolated
2024
18,857
Interpolated
2025
18,987
Interpolated
2026
19,117
Interpolated
2027
19,248
Interpolated
2028
19,378
Interpolated
Note: Projections include TWDB estimated reductions for plumbing fixtures. Projections are from the draft 2021 Region H Plan
as approved by TWDB for the City of Pearland WLIG.
III. WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM DATA
A. Water Supply Sources
List all current water supply sources and the amounts authorized (in acre feet) with each.
Water Type Source Amount Authorized
Surface Water
Groundwater Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District 7,730.53 AF/year
Contracts Treated Water Contract with City of Houston - Shadow Creek 6,720.86 AF/year
Treated Water Contract with City of Houston - Alice WTP 11,201.44 AF/year
Other
Total 25,652.83 AF/year
C-5
Water Conservation Plan - Appendix C
B. Treatment and Distribution System
1. Design daily capacity of system: 34.46 MGD
Treatment Plant Reliable Pumping Capacity (MGD)
McLean
0.92
Mary's Creek
1.10
Liberty
1.97
Magnolia
1.53
Garden
1.72
Southeast
2.84
Cullen
1.80
Kirby
3.06
Southdown
1.78
Country Place
1.75
Alice
10.00
Shadow Creek
6.00
Total 34.46
Note: Treatment Plant Reliable Pumping Capacity above represents well capacity of all City wells and treatment
capacity of the two City surface water treatment plants (Alice and Shadow Creek).
2. Storage capacity: 18.619 MG
a. Elevated 4_5 MG
b. Ground 14.119 MG
3. If surface water, do you recycle filter backwash to the head of the plant?
❑ Yes ❑ No If yes, approximate amount (MGD):
City of Pearland does not own or operate any water treatment plants.
IV. WASTEWATER SYSTEM DATA
A. Wastewater System Data (if applicable)
1. Design capacity of wastewater treatment plant(s) (MGD): 16.6
2. Treated effluent is used for:
❑ on-site irrigation,
❑ off-site irrigation,
❑ plant wash -down, and or
❑ chlorination/dechlorination.
If yes, approximate amount (in gallons per month):
Note: This represents estimated reuse volume in 2018 (golf course irrigation and plant wash down).
3. Briefly describe the wastewater system(s) of the area serviced by the water utility. Describe how treated wastewater is
disposed. Where applicable, identify treatment plant(s) with the TCEQ name and number, the operator, owner, and the
receiving stream if wastewater is discharged.
Treatment Plant
Permitted Discharge, Average/Max
Receiving
Name
TCEQ Number
(MGD)
Operator
Owner
Stream
Reflection Bay
OOWQ10134-008
6/24
City of Pearland
City of
Clear Creek
Pearland
1HEC WRF
OOWQ10134-007
4/16
City of Pearland
City of
Mary's Creek /
Pearland
JHEC Wetland
Barry Rose WRF
oowQ10134-002
3.1/12
City of Pearland
City of
Clear Creek
Pearland
Longwood WRF
oowQ10134-010
2.5/10
City of Pearland
City ofMary's
Creek
Pearland
C-6
Water Conservation Plan - Appendix C
C-7
City of
Hickory
Southdown WRF
OOWQ00122-95001
0.95/3.8
City of Pearland
Pearland
I Slough
C-7
Water Conservation Plan - Appendix C
B. Wastewater Data for Service Area (if applicable)
1. Percent of water service area served by wastewater system: 100%
2. Monthly volume treated for previous five years (in 1,000 gallons):
Year
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Month
January
209,862
299,660
280,604
322,868
309,403
February
208,166
215,147
230,999
256,530
291,715
March
244,221
317,219
272,539
341,849
267,785
April
215,216
326,207
306,798
293,734
253,852
May
252,539
359,065
325,807
268,130
259,255
June
222,881
277,577
327,266
290,677
260,164
July
224,467
243,973
253,583
272,740
277,718
August
231,434
277,418
324,400
349,350
230,200
September
254,821
268,022
284,052
297,783
335,832
October
235,693
323,333
243,132
269,894
330,663
November
245,147
306,258
238,349
250,931
312,405
December
266,579
277,715
279,709
301,357
328,582
Totals
2,811,026
3,491,594
3,367,238
3,515,843
3,457,574
C-8
Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
Appendix D
Letters to Region H Water Planning Group, Houston and
Gulf Coast Water Authority
Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
July 14, 2020
Mr. Mark Evans, Chair
Region H Water Planning Group
c/o North Harris County Regional Water Authority
3648 Cypress Creek Parkway, Suite 110
Houston, TX 77068
Dear Mr. Evans:
Enclosed please find a copy of the recently updated Water Conservation Plan for the City of Pearland. I
am submitting a copy of this plan to the Region H Water Planning Group in accordance with the Texas
Water Development Board and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rules. The City Council of
Pearland adopted the Plan on July 13, 2020.
Sincerely,
Julian Kelly
Public Works Superintendent - Water
City of Pearland
D-1
Water Conservation Plon
City of Pearland
July 14, 2020
Paula Paciorek, Water Conservation Manager
City of Houston
611 Walker, 215' Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Dear Ms. Paciorek:
Enclosed please find a copy of the recently updated Water Conservation Plan for the City of Pearland. I
am submitting a copy of this plan to the City of Houston in accordance with the Texas Water Development
Board and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rules. The City Council of Pearland adopted the
Plan on July 13, 2020.
Sincerely,
Julian Kelly
Public Works Superintendent - Water
City of Pearland
D-2
Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
July 14, 2020
Brandon Wade, General Manager
Gulf Coast Water Authority
3630 FM 1765
Texas City, TX 77591
Dear Mr. Wade:
Enclosed please find a copy of the recently updated Water Conservation Plan for the City of Pearland. I
am submitting a copy of this plan to the Gulf Coast Water Authority in accordance with the Texas Water
Development Board and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rules. The City Council of Pearland
adopted the Plan on July 13, 2020.
Sincerely,
Julian Kelly
Public Works Superintendent - Water
City of Pearland
D-3
Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
Appendix E
Adoption of the Water Conservation Plan
Water Conservation Plan
City of Pearland
Exhibit "B"
Drought Contingency Plan
O� 9f0
cA
y
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency
Management Plan
r � �
PREPARED FOR:
City of Pearland
PREPARED BY:
Freese and Nichols, Inc.
11200 Broadway Street, Suite 2320
Pearland, Texas 77584
832-456-4732
911%NICNOLS
LAt
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan
City of Pearland
FOREWORD
This Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan was prepared by Freese and Nichols,
Inc., pursuant to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules. For the purposes of regional
coordination, the 2019 Drought Contingency Plan for the City of Houston (Houston) and the Gulf Coast
Water Authority (GCWA) were consulted.
Questions regarding this Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan should be
addressed to the following:
Adam Conner
Freese and Nichols, Inc.
(512) 617-3173
adam.conner@freese.com
Julian Kelly
City of Pearland
(281) 652-1934
jkelly@pearlandtx.�ov
This Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan is based on the Texas Administrative
Code in effect on January 31, 2019. For retail public water suppliers providing water service to 3,300 or
more connections, the drought contingency plan must be submitted to the TCEQ every five years. Contact
information at the TCEQ, Houston and GCWA are the following:
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality City of Houston
Office of Water Public Works
(512) 239-6696 (832) 395-2500
Gulf Coast Water Authority
(409) 935-2438
(281) 337-3403
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan `•"
City of Pearland
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES..................................................................................1-1
2.0 DEFINITIONS...................................................................................................................2-1
3.0 TEXAS COMMISION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY RULES..........................................3-1
4.0 DROUGHT CONTINGENCY AND WATER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN ................4-1
4.1 Provisions to Inform the Public and Opportunity for Public Input.................................4-1
4.2 Provisions for Continuing Public Education and Information........................................4-1
4.3 Initiation and Termination of Drought Response Stages and Water Emergency Response
Stages.............................................................................................................................4-1
4.3.1 Stage 1......................................................................................................................4-3
4.3.2 Stage 2......................................................................................................................4-7
4.3.3 Stage 3....................................................................................................................4-12
4.3.4 Stage 4....................................................................................................................4-16
4.4 Procedures for Granting Variances to the Plan............................................................4-17
4.5 Procedures for Enforcing Mandatory Water Use Restrictions.....................................4-18
4.6 Coordination with the Regional Water Planning Group, Houston and GCWA ............4-18
4.7 Review and Update of Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management
Plan...............................................................................................................................
4-18
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 4-1: Stage 1 Voluntary Limits on Outdoor Watering Days...............................................4-6
Figure 4-2: Stage 2 Mandatory Limits on Outdoor Watering Days...........................................4-11
Figure 4-3: Stage 3 Mandatory Limits on Outdoor Watering Days...........................................4-15
APPENDICES
Appendix List of References
Appendix 8 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Rules on Drought Contingency Plans
• Texas Administrative Code Title 30, Part 1, Chapter 288, Subchapter B,
Rule §288.20 — Drought Contingency Plans for Municipal Uses by Public
Water Suppliers
• Texas Administrative Code Title 30, Part 1, Chapter 288, Subchapter B,
Rule §288.22— Drought Contingency Plans for Wholesale Water Suppliers
Appendix C Letters to Region H Planning Group, City of Houston and GCWA
Appendix D Adoption of Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan
Appendix E Quick Reference Guide for Pearland's 2020 Drought Contingency and Water
Emergency Management Plan
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan
City of Pearland
1.0 INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
The City of Pearland has prepared this Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan in
accordance with the requirements established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
(TCEQ), the City of Houston (Houston) and the Gulf Coast Water Authority (GCWA). For retail public water
suppliers providing water service to 3,300 or more connections, the drought contingency plan must be
submitted to the TCEQ every five years, and this Plan addresses all of the current TCEQ requirements for
a drought contingency plan which are included in Appendix B. This Plan replaces the Plan included in
Ordinance 1508 dated October 27, 2014.
The measures included in this Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan are intended
to provide short-term water savings during drought or emergency conditions. Water savings associated
with ongoing, long-term strategies are discussed in the Water Conservation Plan for The City of Pearland?
The City owns and operates ten water wells that have a combined pumping capacity of 12,825 gallons per
minute (gpm), or 18.47 million gallons per day (MGD). The current surface water contract for the Shadow
Creek Water Plant is take -or -pay with a maximum day capacity of 6 MGD. The current surface water
contract with the City of Houston routed through the Alice Water Plant is pay-as-you-go for 10 MGD. The
combined groundwater and surface water system capacity is 34.5 MGD. The City has initiated design of a
new 10 MGD surface water treatment plant west of State Highway 288.
Available city-wide ground and elevated storage capacities total 14.0 and 4.5 million gallons, respectively.
There are currently five wastewater treatment plants in the City of Pearland: JHEC, Longwood, Barry Rose,
Far Northwest, and Southdown. The current, total combined capacity of the plants is 12.55 MGD.'
The purpose of this Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan is as follows:
• To conserve the available water supply in times of drought, water supply shortage, and
emergency.
• To maintain supplies for domestic water use, sanitation, and fire protection.
• To protect and preserve public health, welfare, and safety.
• To minimize the adverse impacts of water supply shortages.
• To minimize the adverse impacts of emergency water supply conditions.
• To satisfy the requirements set forth by TCEQ and other agencies.
1-1
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan--��"
City of Pearland
A drought is defined as an extended period of time when an area receives insufficient rainfall to replenish
the water supply, causing water supply shortages. In the absence of drought response measures, water
demands tend to increase during a drought due to increased outdoor irrigation. The severity of a drought
depends on the degree of depletion of supplies and on the relationship of demand to available supplies.
1-2
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan
City of Pearland
2.0 DEFINITIONS
1. AQUATIC LIFE means a vertebrate organism dependent upon an aquatic environment to sustain
its life.
2. ATHLETIC FIELD means a public sports competition field, the essential feature of which is turf
grass, used primarily for organized sports practice, competition or exhibition events for schools;
professional sports and league play sanctioned by the utility providing retail water supply.
3. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WASH FACILITY means a permanently -located business that washes
vehicles or other mobile equipment with water or water-based products, including but not limited
to self-service car washes, full service car washes, roll-over/in-bay style car washes, and facilities
managing vehicle fleets or vehicle inventory.
4. COMMERCIAL WATER USER means any customer that holds an account within the Commercial
Water/Sewer rate classification.
S. CONSERVATION means those practices, techniques, and technologies that reduce the
consumption of water, reduce the loss or waste of water, improve efficiency in the use of water,
or increase the recycling and reuse of water, so that a supply is conserved and made available for
future or alternative uses.
6. CUSTOMER means any person, corporation, or organization using water supplied by the City of
Pearland.
7. DESIGNATED OUTDOOR WATERING DAY means a day prescribed by rule on which a person is
permitted to irrigate outdoors.
8. DOMESTIC WATER USE means water use for personal needs or for household or sanitary purposes
such as drinking, bathing, heating, cooking, sanitation, or for cleaning a residence, business,
industry, or institution.
9. DRIP IRRIGATION is a type of micro -irrigation system that operates at low pressure and delivers
water in slow, small drips to individual plants or groups of plants through a network of plastic
conduits and emitters; also called trickle irrigation.
2-1
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plon ` a
City of Pearland
10. DROUGHT, for the purposes of this report, means an extended period of time when an area
receives insufficient amounts of rainfall to replenish the water supply, causing water supply
sources (in this case reservoirs) to be depleted.
11. DROUGHT CONTINGENCY AND WATER EMERGENCY RESPONSE means a strategy or combination
of strategies for temporary supply management and demand management responses to
temporary and potentially recurring water supply shortages and other water supply emergencies
required by Texas Administrative Code Title 30, Chapter 288, Subchapter B. This is sometimes
called a drought contingency plan.
12. EXTRA -TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION (ETJ) means an area outside of the city limits where cities can
regulate some activities
13. FOUNDATION WATERING means an application of water to the soils directly abutting (within 2
feet) the foundation of a building, structure.
14. INTERACTIVE WATER FEATURES means water sprays, dancing water jets, waterfalls, dumping
buckets, shooting water cannons, inflatable pools, temporary splash toys or pools, slip -n -slides,
or splash pads that are maintained for recreation.
15. IRRIGATION SYSTEM means a permanently installed, custom-made, site-specific system of
delivering water generally for landscape irrigation via a system of pipes or other conduits installed
below ground.
16. INDUSTRIAL WATER USE means the use of water in processes designed to convert materials of
lower value into forms having greater usability and value.
17. LANDSCAPE means any plant material on a property, including any tree, shrub, vine, herb, flower,
succulent, ground cover, grass or turf species, that is growing or has been planted out of doors.
18. MAJOR WATER USER means 1). a retail customer whose total water use in the preceding calendar
year was within the 10 highest retail customers, 2). a retail customer whose water use is of a
critical nature, or 3). any other retail customer deemed to be a Major Water User by Pearland
staff.
2-2
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan "
City of Pearland
19. NEW LANDSCAPE means: (a) vegetation installed at the time of the construction of a residential
or commercial facility; (b) installed as part of a governmental entity's capital improvement
project; or (c) installed to stabilize an area disturbed by construction.
20. NON-ESSENTIAL WATER USE means water uses that are not essential, nor required for the
protection of public, health, safety, and welfare, including:
- irrigation of landscape areas, including parks, athletic fields, and golf courses, except otherwise
provided under this Plan;
- use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle,
except with a water hose that has a shut-off nozzle; an exception is allowed for Commercial
Vehicle Wash Facilities.
- use of water to wash down any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or
other hard- surfaced areas;
- use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire
protection;
- flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street;
- use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools or jacuzzi -type pools;
- use of water in a fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes except where necessary to
support aquatic life;
- failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice
directing the repair of such leak(s); and
- use of water from hydrants for construction purposes or any other purposes other than
firefighting.
21. NON-RESIDENTIAL WATER CUSTOMER means all customers receiving water service from the City
of Pearland that are not classified as residential, to include but not limited to irrigation,
institutional, commercial, and industrial customers.
2-3
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plon
City of Pearland
22. ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAIN means an artificially created structure from which a jet, stream, or flow
of treated water emanates and is not typically utilized for the preservation of aquatic life.
23. POND is a still body of water with a surface area of 500 square feet or more, filled with non -
potable water and not a swimming pool.
24. RETAIL CUSTOMER includes those customers to whom the City of Pearland provides retail water
from a water meter.
25. RESIDENTIAL FACILITY means a site with four or fewer dwelling units.
26. SOAKER HOSE means a perforated or permeable garden -type hose or pipe that is laid above
ground that provides irrigation at a slow and constant rate.
27. SPRINKLER means an above -ground water distribution device that may be attached to a garden
hose.
28. SWIMMING POOL means any structure, basin, chamber, or tank including hot tubs, containing an
artificial body of water for swimming, diving, or recreational bathing, and having a depth of two
(2) feet or more at any point.
29. SYSTEM OPERATING CAPACITY means the total well capacity of Pearland's system (approximately
18.5 million gallons per day) plus the contracted peak amount of surface water deliveries (10
million gallons per day for the Alice surface water treatment plant and 6 million gallons per day
for the Shadow Creek surface water treatment plant), for a total system operating capacity of
approximately 34.5 million gallons per day. This total system operating capacity will increase or
decrease with changes to Pearland's total well capacity and/or contracted peak amount of surface
water supplies.
Abbreviations
Abbreviation
Full Nomenclature
GCWA
Gulf Coast Water Authority
TCEQ
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
TWDB
Texas Water Development Board
2-4
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plon �'
City of Pearland
3.0 TEXAS COMMISION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY RULES
The TCEQ rules governing development of drought contingency plans for public water suppliers are
contained in Title 30, Part 1, Chapter 288, Subchapter B, Rule 288.20 of the Texas Administrative Code, a
current copy of which is included in Appendix B. For the purpose of these rules, a drought contingency
plan is defined as "a strategy or combination of strategies for temporary supply and demand management
responses to temporary and potentially recurring water supply shortages and other water supply
emergencies."'
Minimum Requirements
TCEQ's minimum requirements for drought contingency plans are addressed in the following subsections
of this report:
• 288.20(a)(1)(A) — Provisions to Inform the Public and Provide Opportunity for Public Input —
Section 4.1
• 288.20(a)(1)(B) — Provisions for Continuing Public Education and Information — Section 4.2
• 288.20(a)(1)(C) — Coordination with the Regional Water Planning Group — Section 4.6
• 288.20(a)(1)(D) — Criteria for Initiation and Termination of Drought Contingency and Water
Emergency Response Stages — Section 4.3
• 288.20(a)(1)(E) — Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Response Stages — Section 4.3
• 288.20(a)(1)(F) — Specific, Quantified Targets for Water Use Reductions — Section 4.3
• 288.20(a)(1)(G) — Water Supply and Demand Management Measures for Each Stage — Section
4.3
• 288.20(a)(1)(H) — Procedures for Initiation and Termination of Drought Contingency and
Water Emergency Response Stages — Section 4.3
• 288.20(a)(1)(1) - Procedures for Granting Variances — Section 4.4
• 288.20(a)(1)(J) - Procedures for Enforcement of Mandatory Restrictions — Section 4.5
• 288.20(a)(3) — Consultation with Wholesale Supplier—Sections 4.2, and 4.3
• 288.20(b) — Notification of Implementation of Mandatory Measures — Section 4.3
• 288.20(c) — Review and Update of Plan — Section 4.7
3-1
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan �'
City of Pearland
4.0 DROUGHT CONTINGENCY AND WATER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
PLAN
4.1 PROVISIONS TO INFORM THE PUBLIC AND OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC INPUT
The City of Pearland provided opportunity for public comment on the Drought Contingency and Water
Emergency Management Plan at City Council meetings held on June 22, 2020 and July 13, 2020.
4.2 PROVISIONS FOR CONTINUING PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INFORMATION
The City will periodically provide the public with information about the Plan, including information about
the conditions under which each stage of the Plan is to be initiated or terminated and the drought
response measures to be implemented in each stage. The City of Pearland will inform and educate the
public about the Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan by the following means:
• Making the Plan available to the public through the City's web site
(https://www.pearlandtx.gov/).
• Including information about the Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management
Plan on the City's web site (https://www.pearlandtx.gov/).
• Including information about the Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management
Plan on the City's Facebook Page.
• Notifying local organizations, schools, and civic groups that staff are available to make
presentations on the Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan (usually
in conjunction with presentations on water conservation programs).
At any time that the Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan is activated or the
Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan changes, Pearland will notify local
media of the issues, the Drought Response Stage or Water Emergency Response Stage (if applicable),
and the specific actions required of the public. The information will also be publicized on the City's
web site (https://www.pearlandtx.gov/). Billing inserts will also be used as appropriate.
4.3 INITIATION AND TERMINATION OF DROUGHT RESPONSE STAGES AND WATER
EMERGENCY RESPONSE STAGES
Initiation of a Drought Response Stage and Water Emergency Response Stage
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The City Manager or his/her official designee may order the implementation of a Drought Response Stage
or Water Emergency Response Stage when one or more of the trigger conditions for that stage is met.
The following actions will be taken when a Drought/Water Emergency Response Stage is initiated:
• The public will be notified through local media and the City's web site as described in Section
4.1.
• Houston and GCWA will be notified by e-mail with a follow-up letter that provides details of
the reasons for initiation of the Drought/Water Emergency Response Stage.
• If any mandatory provisions of the Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management
Plan are activated, Pearland will notify the Executive Director of the TCEQ, the Deputy
Director of Houston, and the General Manager of GCWA within 5 business days.
If Response Stages are initiated by the City of Houston or GCWA, the City of Pearland will consider
implementing the similar stage of this Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan. For
other trigger conditions internal to the City, the City Manager or his/her official designee may decide not
to order the implementation of a Drought/Water Emergency Response Stage even though one or more
of the trigger criteria for the stage are met. Factors which could influence such a decision include, but are
not limited to, the time of the year, weather conditions, the anticipation of replenished water supplies, or
the anticipation that additional facilities will become available to meet needs. The reason for this decision
should be documented.
Termination of a Drought Response Stage and Water Emergency Response Stage
The City Manager or his/her official designee may order the termination of a Drought/Water Emergency
Response Stage when the conditions for termination are met or at his/her discretion. The following
actions will be taken when a Drought/Water Emergency Response Stage is terminated:
• The public will be notified through local media and the City's web site as described in Section 4.1.
• Houston and GCWA will be notified by e-mail with a follow-up letter.
• If any mandatory provisions of the Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan
that have been activated are terminated, Pearland will notify the Executive Director of the TCEQ,
the Deputy Director of Houston and the General Manager of GCWA within 5 business days.
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The City Manager or his/her official designee may decide not to order the termination of a Drought/Water
Emergency Response Stage even though the conditions for termination of the stage are met. Factors
which could influence such a decision include, but are not limited to, the time of the year, weather
conditions, or the anticipation of potential changed conditions that warrant the continuation of the
drought stage. The reason for this decision should be documented.
Drought Response Stage and Water Emergency Response Stages and Measures
4.3.1 Stage 1
Initiation and Termination Conditions for Stage 1
The City may initiate Stage 1 if any one of the following conditions are met:
• The City total daily water demand equals or exceeds 60 percent of the current available System
Operating Capacity (as highlighted in Section 1.0 and defined in Section 2.0) for three consecutive
days.
• The City total daily water demand equals or exceeds 65 percent of the current available System
Operating Capacity (as highlighted in Section 1.0 and defined in Section 2.0) on a single day.
• The City Manager or his/her official designee feels that the initiation of Stage 1 is appropriate
based on weather conditions, distribution and water supply system recovery, and/or unforeseen
circumstances.
• The City of Houston or GCWA have initiated Stage 1.
Stage 1 may terminate when Houston or GCWA terminate its Stage 1 condition or when the circumstances
that caused the City of Pearland's initiation of Stage 1 no longer prevail for a period of seven consecutive
days. Stage 1 may terminate if Pearland's City Manager or his/her official designee feels that the
termination of Stage 1 is appropriate based on weather conditions, distribution and water supply system
recovery, and/or unforeseen circumstances.
Goal for Use Reduction and Actions Available under Stage 1
The goal for water use reduction under Stage 1 is a two percent (2%) reduction in the amount of water
obtained from Houston/GCWA and produced from the City's wells.
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The City Manager or his/her official designee may order the implementation of any or all of the actions
listed below, as deemed necessary to achieve a two percent reduction. Measures identified below are
voluntary:
• Supply Management Measures:
o Reduce flushing of water mains.
o Review the problems that caused the initiation of Stage 1.
o Identify alternative water sources and/or alternative delivery systems.
o Consider initiating engineering studies to evaluate alternatives should conditions worsen.
• Voluntary Water Use Restrictions:
o Residential and non-residential water customers are requested to voluntarily limit
outdoor watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, voluntarily limited to twice per week
on the days that align with Pearland customers' trash days, or if the customer doesn't
have a trash day whichever day is illustrated in Figure 4-1. Residential and non-residential
water customers in the western portion of the ETJ are requested to voluntarily limit
outdoor watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, voluntarily limited to Tuesday and
Friday. Residential and non-residential water customers in the central portion of the ETJ
are requested to voluntarily limit outdoor watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM,
voluntarily limited to Wednesday and Saturday. Residential and non-residential water
customers in the eastern portion of the ETJ are requested to voluntarily limit outdoor
watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, voluntarily limited to Monday and Thursday.
Excessive pooling and/or run-off from foundation watering is discouraged and is
requested to not be allowed to run off of property and form a stream of water in a street
for a distance of 50 feet or greater; or pool in a street or parking lot to a depth greater
than one-quarter of an inch.
o Water customers are requested to practice water conservation and to minimize or
discontinue non-essential water use.
o Increase public education efforts on ways to reduce water use.
o Intensify efforts on leak detection and repair.
o Notify major water users and work with them to achieve voluntary water use reductions.
o Further accelerate public education efforts on ways to reduce water use.
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o Encourage the public to wait until the current drought or emergency situation has passed
before establishing new landscaping.
Attended hand-held hoses with positive shut-off devices are allowed at all times.
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TUESDAY if FRIDAY,,-
it , - WEDNESDAY /SATURDAY MONDAY/THURSDAY
SCAU N FEET
AL
Figure 4-1: Stage 1 Voluntary Limits on Outdoor Watering Days
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4.3.2 Stage 2
Initiation and Termination Conditions for Stage 2
The City may initiate Stage 2 if any one of the following conditions are met:
• The City total daily water demand equals or exceeds 70 percent of the current available System
Operating Capacity (as highlighted in Section 1.0 and defined in Section 2.0) for three consecutive
days.
• The City total daily water demand equals or exceeds 75 percent of the current available System
Operating Capacity (as highlighted in Section 1.0 and defined in Section 2.0) on a single day.
• The City Manager or his/her official designee feels that the initiation of Stage 2 is appropriate
based on weather conditions, distribution and water supply system recovery, and/or unforeseen
circumstances.
• The City of Houston or GCWA have initiated Stage 2.
Stage 2 may terminate when Houston or GCWA terminate its Stage 2 condition or when the circumstances
that caused the City of Pearland's initiation of Stage 2 no longer prevail for a period of seven consecutive
days. Stage 2 may terminate if Pearland's City Manager or his/her official designee feels that the
termination of Stage 2 is appropriate based on weather conditions, distribution and water supply system
recovery, and/or unforeseen circumstances.
Goals for Use Reduction and Actions Available under Stage 2
The goal for water use reduction under Stage 2 is a reduction of ten percent (10%) in the amount of water
obtained from Houston/GCWA and produced from the City's wells.
Pearland's City Manager or his/her official designee will consider implementing any action(s) required by
the City of Houston or GCWA. In addition, Pearland's City Manager or his/her official designee may order
the implementation of any or all of the actions listed below, as deemed necessary to achieve the specified
percent reduction. Pearland must notify TCEQ, Houston and GCWA within five business days if these
measures are implemented.
• Supply Management Measures:
o Reduce or discontinue irrigation of public landscaped areas.
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o Reduce or discontinue flushing of water mains.
o Fix or repair all reported and known leaks in the system within twelve (12) hours of
notification or detection.
o Consider implementing viable alternative water supply strategies.
• Mandatory Water Use Restrictions:
o Continue or initiate any actions available under the Water Conservation Plan and Stage 1.
o Prohibit using water in such a manner as to allow runoff or other waste.
o Prohibit residential and non-residential outdoor watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM,
limited to twice per week on the days that align with Pearland customers' trash days, or
if the customer doesn't have a trash day whichever day is illustrated in Figure 4-2.
Residential and non-residential water customers in the western portion of the ETJ are
prohibited from outdoor watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, limited to Tuesday and
Friday. Residential and non-residential water customers in the central portion of the ETJ
are prohibited from watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, limited to Wednesday and
Saturday. Residential and non-residential water customers in the eastern portion of the
ETJ are prohibited from outdoor watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, limited to
Monday and Thursday. Excessive pooling and/or run-off from foundation watering is
prohibited and shall not be allowed to run off of property and form a stream of water in
a street for a distance of 50 feet or greater; or pool in a street or parking lot to a depth
greater than one-quarter of an inch. Exceptions are as follows:
■ New landscaping (first year), and new plantings of shrubs and trees (first year) may
be watered for up to 2 hours on any day by attended hand-held hose with positive
shut-off device (no open-ended hoses or unattended hoses), a soaker hose, or a
dedicated zone using a drip irrigation system.
■ Locations using other sources of water supply for irrigation may irrigate without
restrictions. If a golf course utilizes a water source other than the potable water
provided by the City, then the facility shall not be subject to these regulations. The
use of treated effluent recycled from the City's wastewater treatment facility (non-
potable/reuse water) is permissible.
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2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan
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■ Registered and properly functioning ET/Smart irrigation systems and drip irrigation
systems may irrigate without restrictions.
o Irrigation of landscaped areas or commercial plant nurseries is permitted at any time by
means of a faucet filled bucket or water can of five (5) gallons or less, a drip irrigation
system, soaker hose, or by attended hand-held hose with positive shut-off device (no
open-ended hoses or unattended hoses). Excessive pooling and/or run-off from
automatic or drip irrigation systems is prohibited and shall not be allowed to run off of
property and form a stream of water in a street for a distance of 50 feet or greater; or
pool in a street or parking lot to a depth greater than one-quarter of an inch.
o Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, four -wheeler, boat, trailer, airplane, or other
vehicle is prohibited except on designated outdoor watering days. Washing is allowed at
any time on designated watering days for applicable residential address. Such washing,
when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket and attended hand-held hose with
positive shut-off device (no open-ended hoses or unattended hoses). Vehicle washing
may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or
commercial service station.
o Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is
prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountain or pond
is equipped with a recirculation system.
o Use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to the fire fighting activities, or other
activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare, except that use of
water from designated fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed under
special permit from the City of Pearland.
o Use of water to stabilize foundations is prohibited except on designated outdoor watering
and is prohibited on any day between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Watering is permitted by
means of an attended hand-held hose with positive shut-off device (no open-ended hoses
or unattended hoses); or using a soaker hose or drip irrigation system placed within 24
inches of the foundation that does not produce a spray of water above the ground.
Excessive pooling and/or run-off from foundation watering is prohibited and shall not be
allowed to run off of property and form a stream of water in a street for a distance of 50
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feet or greater; or pool in a street or parking lot to a depth greater than one-quarter of
an inch.
o The following uses of water are defined as nonessential and are prohibited:
■ Washing down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or
other hard surfaced area;
■ Washing down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire
protection;
■ Use of water for dust control;
■ Flushing of gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street;
■ Failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been
given notice directing the repair of such leak(s).
o Prohibit hydroseeding, hydromulching, and sprigging.
o Prohibit the filling, draining and refilling of existing swimming pools, wading pools, Jacuzzi
and hot tubs except to maintain structural integrity, proper operation and maintenance
or to alleviate a public safety risk. Existing pools may add water to replace losses from
normal use and evaporation.
o Consider initiating a rate surcharge for all water use over a certain level.
• Attended hand-held hoses with positive shut-off devices are allowed at all times.
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TUESDAY / FRIDAY
e
0 11000
SCALE W FEET
i
MU0 16 b witAfn
�i P�arUnd's Waur CCN
- WEDNESDAY/SATURDAY
,r
MONDAY / THURSDAY
Figure 4-2: Stage 2 Mandatory Limits on Outdoor Watering Days
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4.3.3 Stage 3
Initiation and Termination Conditions for Stage 3
The City may initiate Stage 3 if any one of the following conditions are met:
• The City total daily water demand equals or exceeds 80 percent of the current available System
Operating Capacity (as highlighted in Section 1.0 and defined in Section 2.0) for three consecutive
days.
• The City total daily water demand equals or exceeds 85 percent of the current available System
Operating Capacity (as highlighted in Section 1.0 and defined in Section 2.0) on a single day.
• The City Manager or his/her official designee feels that the initiation of Stage 3 is appropriate
based on weather conditions, distribution and water supply system recovery, and/or unforeseen
circumstances.
• The City of Houston or GCWA have initiated Stage 3.
Stage 3 may terminate when Houston or GCWA terminate its Stage 3 condition or when the circumstances
that caused the City of Pearland's initiation of Stage 3 no longer prevail for a period of seven consecutive
days. Stage 3 may terminate if Pearland's City Manager or his/her official designee feels that the
termination of Stage 3 is appropriate based on weather conditions, distribution and water supply system
recovery, and/or unforeseen circumstances.
Goals for Use Reduction and Actions Available under Stage 3
The goal for water use reduction under Stage 3 is a reduction of twenty percent (20%) in the amount of
water obtained from Houston/GCWA and produced from the City's wells.
Pearland's City Manager or his/her official designee will consider implementing any action(s) required by
the City of Houston or GCWA. In addition, Pearland's City Manager or his/her official designee may order
the implementation of any or all of the actions listed below, as deemed necessary to achieve the specified
percent reduction. Pearland must notify TCEQ, Houston and GCWA within five business days if these
measures are implemented.
• Supply Management Measures:
o Reduce or discontinue irrigation of public landscaped areas.
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o Reduce or discontinue flushing of water mains.
o Fix or repair all reported and known leaks in the system within twelve (12) hours of
notification or detection.
• Mandatory Water Use Restrictions:
o Continue or initiate any actions available under the Water Conservation Plan and Stage 1
and Stage 2.
o Consider implementing viable alternative water supply strategies.
o Prohibit washing of vehicles except at a Commercial Vehicle Wash Facility, or as necessary
for health, sanitation, or safety reasons.
o Prohibit residential and non-residential outdoor watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM,
limited to once per week on the days illustrated in Figure 4-3. Residential and non-
residential water customers in the western portion of the ETJ are prohibited from outdoor
watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, limited to Tuesday. Residential and non-
residential water customers in the central portion of the ETJ are prohibited from outdoor
watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, limited to Wednesday. Residential and non-
residential water customers in the eastern portion of the ETJ are prohibited from outdoor
watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, limited to Thursday. Excessive pooling and/or
run-off from foundation watering is prohibited and shall not be allowed to run off of
property and form a stream of water in a street for a distance of 50 feet or greater; or
pool in a street or parking lot to a depth greater than one-quarter of an inch. Exceptions
are as follows:
■ New landscaping (first year), and new plantings of shrubs and trees (first year) may
be watered for up to 2 hours on any day by attended hand-held hose with positive
shut-off device (no open-ended hoses or unattended hoses), a soaker hose, or a
dedicated zone using a drip irrigation system.
■ Locations using other sources of water supply for irrigation may irrigate without
restrictions. If a golf course utilizes a water source other than the potable water
provided by the City, then the facility shall not be subject to these regulations. The
use of treated effluent recycled from the City's wastewater treatment facility (non-
potable/reuse water) is permissible.
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■ Registered and properly functioning ET/Smart irrigation systems and drip irrigation
systems may irrigate without restrictions.
o Prohibit the permitting of private pools. Pools already permitted may be completed and
filled with water. Existing private and public pools may add water to maintain pool levels
but may not be drained and refilled.
o Require all commercial water users to reduce water use by a percentage established by
Pearland's City Manager or his/her official designee.
o Landscape watering of parks, golf courses, and athletic fields with potable water is
prohibited. Exception for parks, golf course greens and tee boxes, and athletic fields,
which may be watered by attended hand-held hose with positive shut-off device (no
open-ended hoses or unattended hoses) as needed. Variances may be granted by the
water provider under special circumstances.
o Prohibit the operation of interactive water features such as water sprays, dancing water
jets, waterfalls, dumping buckets, shooting water cannons, or splash pads that are
maintained for public recreation.
Attended hand-held hoses with positive shut-off devices are allowed at all times.
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SCALE N FIV
I F
TUESDAY
al
PON
.:0 �1 Is IN&
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
Figure 4-3: Stage 3 Mandatory Limits on Outdoor Watering Days
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City of Pearland
4.3.4 Stage 4
Initiation and Termination Conditions for Staee 4
The City may initiate Stage 4 if any one of the following conditions are met:
• The City experiences major water line breaks, or pump or system failures occur, which cause
unprecedented loss of capability to provide water service.
• The City experiences natural or man-made contamination of the water supply source(s).
• The City total daily water demand equals or exceeds 90 percent of the current available System
Operating Capacity (as highlighted in Section 1.0 and defined in Section 2.0) for three consecutive
days.
• The City total daily water demand equals or exceeds 95 percent of the current available System
Operating Capacity (as highlighted in Section 1.0 and defined in Section 2.0) on a single day.
• The City Manager or his/her official designee feels that the initiation of Stage 4 is appropriate
based on weather conditions, distribution and water supply system recovery, and/or unforeseen
circumstances.
• The City of Houston or GCWA have initiated Stage 4.
Stage 4 may terminate when Houston or GCWA terminate its Stage 4 condition or when the circumstances
that caused the City of Pearland's initiation of Stage 4 no longer prevail. Stage 4 may terminate if
Pearland's City Manager or his/her official designee feels that the termination of Stage 4 is appropriate
based on weather conditions, distribution and water supply system recovery, and/or unforeseen
circumstances.
Goals for Use Reduction and Actions Available under Stage 4
The goal for water use reduction under Stage 4 is a reduction of thirty five percent (35%) in the amount
of water obtained from Houston/GCWA and produced from the City's wells, or a greater reduction if
deemed necessary by the City Manager or his/her official designee.
Pearland's City Manager or his/her official designee will consider implementing any action(s) required by
the City of Houston or GCWA. In addition, Pearland's City Manager or his/her official designee may order
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City of Pearland
the implementation of any of the actions listed below, as deemed necessary. Measures can be initiated
for all or part of the City, as appropriate. Pearland must notify TCEQ, Houston and GCWA within five
business days if these measures are implemented.
• Supply Management Measures:
o Reduce or discontinue irrigation of public landscaped areas.
o Reduce or discontinue flushing of water mains.
o Fix or repair all reported and known leaks in the system within twelve (12) hours of
notification or detection.
• Mandatory Water Use Restrictions:
o Continue or initiate any actions available under the Water Conservation Plan and Stage 1,
Stage 2, and Stage 3.
o Implement viable alternative water supply strategies.
o All landscape irrigation use is prohibited.
o All non-essential water use is prohibited.
o All aesthetic water use is prohibited.
• All commercial and institutional water use customers are encouraged to practice
conservation measures and may be required to cease certain operations as directed by
Pearland's City Manager or his/her official designee.
4.4 PROCEDURES FOR GRANTING VARIANCES TO THE PLAN
The City Manager or his/her official designee may grant temporary variances for existing water uses
otherwise prohibited under this Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan if one or
more of the following conditions are met:
• Failure to grant such a variance would cause an emergency condition adversely affecting
health, sanitation, or fire safety for the public or the person or entity requesting the variance.
• Compliance with this Plan cannot be accomplished due to technical or other limitations.
• Alternative methods that achieve the same level of reduction in water use can be
implemented.
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Variances shall be granted or denied at the discretion of the City Manager or his/her official designee. All
petitions for variances should be in writing and should include the following information:
• Name and address of the petitioner(s)
• Purpose of water use
• Specific provisions from which relief is requested
• Detailed statement as to how the specific provision of the Plan adversely affects the petitioner
or what damage or harm will occur to the petitioner or others if petitioner complies with this
Ordinance
• Description of the relief requested
• Period of time for which the variance is sought
• Alternative measures that will be taken to reduce water use
• Other pertinent information.
4.5 PROCEDURES FOR ENFORCING MANDATORY WATER USE RESTRICTIONS
Mandatory water use restrictions may be imposed in Stage 2, Stage 3, and Stage 4. Appendix D contains
the ordinance adopting the Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan, including
enforcement of same.
4.6 COORDINATION WITH THE REGIONAL WATER PLANNING GROUP, HOUSTON
AND GCWA
The City of Pearland's retail service area is located entirely within the Region H water planning area. The
City has provided a copy of this Plan to the Region H Water Planning Group, Houston and GCWA. A copy
of each letter is included in Appendix C.
4.7 REVIEW AND UPDATE OF DROUGHT CONTINGENCY AND WATER EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT PLAN
As required by TCEQ rules, the City of Pearland must review the Drought Contingency and Water
Emergency Management Plan every five years. The Plan will be updated as appropriate based on new or
updated information.
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Appendix
List of References
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan
City of Pearland
APPENDIX A
LIST OF REFERENCES
1. Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code, Part 1, Chapter 288, Subchapter B, Rules 288.20 and
288.22, downloaded from
http://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac view=5&ti=30&pt=1&ch=288&sc
h=B&rl=Y , January 2019.
2. City of Pearland, "Water Conservation Plan", prepared by Freese and Nichols, Inc., July 2020.
3. City of Pearland, "2018 Water and Wastewater Impact Fee Update", prepared by Freese and
Nichols, Inc., April 2018.
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Appendix B
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Rules on
Drought Contingency Plans
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan
City of Pearland
APPENDIX B
TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY RULES ON
DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLANS
TITLE 30 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
PART 1 TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
CHAPTER 288 WATER CONSERVATION PLANS, DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLANS,
GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS
SUBCHAPTER B DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLANS
RULE §288.20 Drought Contingency Plans for Municipal Uses by Public Water Suppliers
(a) A drought contingency plan for a retail public water supplier, where applicable, must include the
following minimum elements.
(1) Minimum requirements. Drought contingency plans must include the following minimum elements.
(A) Preparation of the plan shall include provisions to actively inform the public and affirmatively
provide opportunity for public input. Such acts may include, but are not limited to, having a public
meeting at a time and location convenient to the public and providing written notice to the public
concerning the proposed plan and meeting.
(B) Provisions shall be made for a program of continuing public education and information regarding
the drought contingency plan.
(C) The drought contingency plan must document coordination with the regional water planning
groups for the service area of the retail public water supplier to ensure consistency with the appropriate
approved regional water plans.
(D) The drought contingency plan must include a description of the information to be monitored by
the water supplier, and specific criteria for the initiation and termination of drought response stages,
accompanied by an explanation of the rationale or basis for such triggering criteria.
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan �- �'
City of Pearland
(E) The drought contingency plan must include drought or emergency response stages providing for
the implementation of measures in response to at least the following situations:
(i) reduction in available water supply up to a repeat of the drought of record;
(ii) water production or distribution system limitations;
(iii) supply source contamination; or
(iv) system outage due to the failure or damage of major water system components (e.g., pumps).
(F) The drought contingency plan must include specific, quantified targets for water use reductions to
be achieved during periods of water shortage and drought. The entity preparing the plan shall establish
the targets. The goals established by the entity under this subparagraph are not enforceable.
(G) The drought contingency plan must include the specific water supply or water demand
management measures to be implemented during each stage of the plan including, but not limited to,
the following:
(i) curtailment of non-essential water uses; and
(ii) utilization of alternative water sources and/or alternative delivery mechanisms with the prior
approval of the executive director as appropriate (e.g., interconnection with another water system,
temporary use of a non -municipal water supply, use of reclaimed water for non -potable purposes, etc.).
(H) The drought contingency plan must include the procedures to be followed for the initiation or
termination of each drought response stage, including procedures for notification of the public.
(1) The drought contingency plan must include procedures for granting variances to the plan.
(J) The drought contingency plan must include procedures for the enforcement of mandatory water
use restrictions, including specification of penalties (e.g., fines, water rate surcharges, discontinuation of
service) for violations of such restrictions.
(2) Privately -owned water utilities. Privately -owned water utilities shall prepare a drought contingency
plan in accordance with this section and incorporate such plan into their tariff.
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2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan
City of Pearland
(3) Wholesale water customers. Any water supplier that receives all or a portion of its water supply from
another water supplier shall consult with that supplier and shall include in the drought contingency plan
appropriate provisions for responding to reductions in that water supply.
(b) A wholesale or retail water supplier shall notify the executive director within five business days of the
implementation of any mandatory provisions of the drought contingency plan.
(c) The retail public water supplier shall review and update, as appropriate, the drought contingency plan,
at least every five years, based on new or updated information, such as the adoption or revision of the
regional water plan.
Source Note: The provisions of this §288.20 adopted to be effective February 21, 1999, 24
TexReg 949; amended to be effective April 27, 2000, 25 TexReg 3544; amended to be effective
October 7, 2004, 29 TexReg 9384
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2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan
City of Pearland =&
TITLE 30 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
PART 1 TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
CHAPTER 288 WATER CONSERVATION PLANS, DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLANS,
GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS
SUBCHAPTER B DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLANS
RULE §288.22 Drought Contingency Plans for Wholesale Water Suppliers
(a) A drought contingency plan for a wholesale water supplier must include the following minimum
elements.
(1) Preparation of the plan shall include provisions to actively inform the public and to affirmatively
provide opportunity for user input in the preparation of the plan and for informing wholesale customers
about the plan. Such acts may include, but are not limited to, having a public meeting at a time and
location convenient to the public and providing written notice to the public concerning the proposed
plan and meeting.
(2) The drought contingency plan must document coordination with the regional water planning groups
for the service area of the wholesale public water supplier to ensure consistency with the appropriate
approved regional water plans.
(3) The drought contingency plan must include a description of the information to be monitored by the
water supplier and specific criteria for the initiation and termination of drought response stages,
accompanied by an explanation of the rationale or basis for such triggering criteria.
(4) The drought contingency plan must include a minimum of three drought or emergency response
stages providing for the implementation of measures in response to water supply conditions during a
repeat of the drought -of -record.
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2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan z
City of Pearland
(5) The drought contingency plan must include the procedures to be followed for the initiation or
termination of drought response stages, including procedures for notification of wholesale customers
regarding the initiation or termination of drought response stages.
(6) The drought contingency plan must include specific, quantified targets for water use reductions to
be achieved during periods of water shortage and drought. The entity preparing the plan shall establish
the targets. The goals established by the entity under this paragraph are not enforceable.
(7) The drought contingency plan must include the specific water supply or water demand management
measures to be implemented during each stage of the plan including, but not limited to, the following:
(A) pro rata curtailment of water deliveries to or diversions by wholesale water customers as provided
in Texas Water Code, §11.039; and
(B) utilization of alternative water sources with the prior approval of the executive director as
appropriate (e.g., interconnection with another water system, temporary use of a non -municipal water
supply, use of reclaimed water for non -potable purposes, etc.).
(8) The drought contingency plan must include a provision in every wholesale water contract entered
into or renewed after adoption of the plan, including contract extensions, that in case of a shortage of
water resulting from drought, the water to be distributed shall be divided in accordance with Texas Water
Code, §11.039.
(9) The drought contingency plan must include procedures for granting variances to the plan.
(10) The drought contingency plan must include procedures for the enforcement of any mandatory
water use restrictions including specification of penalties (e.g., liquidated damages, water rate
surcharges, discontinuation of service) for violations of such restrictions.
(b) The wholesale public water supplier shall notify the executive director within five business days of
the implementation of any mandatory provisions of the drought contingency plan.
(c) The wholesale public water supplier shall review and update, as appropriate, the drought contingency
plan, at least every five years, based on new or updated information, such as adoption or revision of the
regional water plan.
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2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan
City of Pearland
Appendix C
Letters to Region H Planning Group, Houston and GCWA
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan
City of Pearland
July 14, 2020
Mr. Mark Evans, Chair
Region H Water Planning Group
c/o North Harris County Regional Water Authority
3648 Cypress Creek Parkway, Suite 110
Houston, TX 77068
Dear Mr. Evans:
Enclosed please find a copy of the recently updated Drought Contingency and Water Emergency
Management Plan for the City of Pearland. I am submitting a copy of this Plan to the Region H Water
Planning Group in accordance with the Texas Water Development Board and Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality rules. The City Council of Pearland adopted the Plan on July 13, 2020.
Sincerely,
Julian Kelly
Public Works Superintendent - Water
City of Pearland
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2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan
City of Pearland
July 14, 2020
Paula Paciorek, Water Conservation Manager
City of Houston
611 Walker, 21St Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Dear Ms. Paciorek:
Enclosed please find a copy of the recently updated Drought Contingency and Water Emergency
Management Plan for the City of Pearland. I am submitting a copy of this Plan to the City of Houston in
accordance with the Texas Water Development Board and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
rules. The City Council of Pearland adopted the Plan on July 13, 2020.
Sincerely,
Julian Kelly
Public Works Superintendent - Water
City of Pearland
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2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan =
City of Pearland
July 14, 2020
Brandon Wade, General Manager
Gulf Coast Water Authority
3630 FM 1765
Texas City, TX 77591
Dear Mr. Wade:
Enclosed please find a copy of the recently updated Drought Contingency and Water Emergency
Management Plan for the City of Pearland. I am submitting a copy of this Plan to the Gulf Coast Water
Authority in accordance with the Texas Water Development Board and Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality rules. The City Council of Pearland adopted the Plan on July 13, 2020.
Sincerely,
Julian Kelly
Public Works Superintendent - Water
City of Pearland
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2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan �'
City of Pearland
Appendix D
Adoption of Drought Contingency and Water Emergency
Management Plan
2020 Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan �'
City of Pearland
Appendix E
Quick Reference Guide for Pearland's 2020 Drought
Contingency and Water Emergency Management Plan
CITY OF
k DROUGHT . 2020
Goal for
Stage
Trigger
Termination
Reductionin Appropriate Actions
Water Use
Notify public that a Stage I drought condition exists. Continue actions under Water Conservation Plan.
Discretion of City Manager.
Discretion of City
Manager.
Residential and non-residential customers requested to voluntarily limit outdoor watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00
PM, voluntarily limited to twice per week on their trash days.
System demand exceeds 60% of available System
7 days without any trigger
Intensify efforts on leak detection and repair.
1
Operating Capacity for 3 consecutive days.
conditions.
2%
Increase public awareness of drought condition and measures to reduce demand.
Encourage the public to wait until the current drought or emergency situation has passed before establishing new
System demand exceeds 65% of available System
landscaping.
Request voluntary reductions in water use by customers, and to minimize or discontinue non-essential water use.
Operating Capacity on a single day.
City of Houston has
terminated Stage 1.
City of Houston or GCWA have initiated Stage 1.
Notify TCEO, City of Houston and GCWA of initiation and termination of Stage 1, documenting reason(s) for decision.
Discretion of City Manager.
Discretion of City
Manager.
Notify public that a Stage 2 drought condition exists. Continue actions under Water Conservation Plan.
Continue or initiate any actions available under Stage 1.
Prohibit residential and non-residential outdoor watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, limited to twice per week on
System demand exceeds 70% ofavailable System
7 days without any trigger
customers'trash days.
Operating Capacity for 3 consecutive days.
conditions.
2
10%
Operation of ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited, with exceptions.
Use of water from fire hydrants is limited to fire fighting, with exceptions.
System demand exceeds 75% of available System
Consider initiating a rate surcharge for all water use over a certain level.
Operating Capacity on a single day.
Ci of Houston has
N
terminated Stage 2.
City of Houston or GCWA have initiated Stage 2.
Notify TCEO, City of Houston and GCWA of initiation and termination of Stage 2, documenting reason(s) for decision.
Discretion of City Manager.
Discretion of City
Manager.
Notify public that a Stage 3 drought condition exists. Continue actions under Water Conservation Plan.
Continue or initiate any actions available under Stages I and 2.
Prohibit residential and non-residential outdoor watering between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, limited to once per week on
System demand exceeds 80% of available System
7 days without any [rigger
designated days.
Operating Capacity for 3 consecutive days.
conditions.
3
20%
Require all commercial users to reduce usage by a percentage established by the City Manager.
Prohibit the permitting of private pools.
System demand exceeds 85% of available System
Operating Capacity on a single day.
Ci of Houston has
N
Landscape watering of parks, golf courses and athletic fields is prohibited, with exceptions.
terminated Stage 3.
City of Houston or GCWA have initiated Stage 3.
Notify TCEO, City of Houston and GCWA of initiation and termination of Stage 3, documenting reason(s) for decision.
Discretion of City Manager.
Discretion of City
Notify public that a Stage 4 drought condition exists. Continue actions under Water Conservation Plan.
Major water line breaks, or pump or system
Manager.
Continue or initiate any actions available under Stages 1, 2 and 3.
failures occur, which cause unprecedented loss of
Triggering conditions no
All landscape irrigation use is prohibited.
capability to provide water service.
Natural or man-made contamination of the water
supply source(s).
All non-essential water use is prohibited.
4
longer prevail.
35%
System demand exceeds 90% of available System
Operating Capacity for 3 consecutive days.
All commercial and institutional water customers are encouraged to practice water conservation measures and may be
City of Houston has
terminated emergency
water shortage condition.
required to cease certain operations as directed by the City Manager.
System demand exceeds 95% of available System
Operating Capacity on a single day.
City of Houston or GCWA have Initiated
emergency water shortage.
Notify TCEO, City of Houston and GCWA of initiation and termination of Stage 4, documenting reason(s) for decision.