R-2014-1203 - 3/13/2014RESOLUTION NO. R-2014-1203
WHEREAS, recent updates to the City's long-range water supply plan indicates that additional
water supplies will be needed to satisfy the projected water demand; and
WHEREAS, the City of Round Rock Water Conservation Plan ("Plan") has been updated by City
Staff, and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to approve the Plan, Now Therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS,
That the City of Round Rock Water Conservation Plan, attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and
incorporated herein, is hereby approved.
The City Council hereby finds and declares that written notice of the date, hour, place and subject
of the meeting at which this Resolution was adopted was posted and that such meeting was open to the
public as required by law at all times during which this Resolution and the subject matter hereof were
discussed, considered and formally acted upon, all as required by the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551,
Texas Government Code, as amended.
RESOLVED this 13th day of March, 2014.
ALAN MCGRAW, Mayor
City of Round Rock, Texas
ATTEST:
SARA L. WHITE, City Clerk
0112.1404;00293585
CITY OF ROUND ROCK
WATER CONSERVATION PLAN
EXHIBIT
„A„
Section 1.0
General Information
1.1 Declaration of Policy, Purpose and Intent
Recent updates to the city's Tong -range water supply plan indicate that additional water supplies
will be needed to satisfy the projected water demand. The plan also states that an aggressive
water conservation program could substantially reduce the average per capita day consumption,
prolonging the life of existing water sources and postponing the need to develop new resources.
The purpose of the Water Conservation Plan is to establish short and long-term consumption goals
and develop implementation strategies and processes for achieving these goals.
1.2 Utility Profile
Water Supply
The City of Round Rock obtains its raw water supply from two sources: the Edwards Aquifer and
Lake Georgetown/Lake Stillhouse Hollow. Current projections indicate that these two supplies will
not meet the City's projected demand by 2017. Therefore, Round Rock has created a partnership
with the cities of Cedar Park and Leander known as the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority
(BCRUA). This authority is tasked with building a regional water treatment and delivery system to
deliver water from a third supply, Lake Travis. This supply will provide water for our communities
for many years to come. Not only does this partnership meet Round Rock's long-term needs to the
anticipated build -out population in the year 2050, water from several supplies will increase the
City's drought tolerance and improve reliability in the event of a catastrophe.
Service Area
The service area is the City of Round Rock, along with the majority of its ETJ. Round Rock's
current population is estimated close to 103,000 residents. The City has 31,423 active water
accounts; of these, 29,382 are residential accounts. The City also wholesales water to nine
customers: Teravista MUDs 10 and 11, Paloma Lake MUDs 1 and 2, Vista Oaks, Meadows at
Chandler Creek, Walsh Ranch, Fern Bluff, and Blessing Mobile Home Park. The majority of their
customers are residential.
Water Treatment and Production
The City of Round Rock owns and operates one water treatment plant located west of Interstate
35 off of Westinghouse Road. The City's average daily production is 19.655 million gallons per day
(MGD), combined for surface and ground water production.
Wastewater Collection and Treatment
The City of Round Rock's wastewater collection system is made up of over 500 miles of collection
lines. These lines ultimately discharge at the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plants
(East or West) either directly or through larger diameter regional interceptor lines owned by the
Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment System (BCRWWTS). The BCRWWTS is
comprised of the cities of Austin, Cedar Park, and Round Rock. The wastewater treatment plants
and regional collection lines are operated by the Brazos River Authority (BRA). The East Plant is
located southwest of the intersection of U.S. Highway 79 and Red Bud Lane. The West Plant is
located east of the intersection of Georgetown Avenue and Austin Blvd, at the termination of Austin
Blvd. The City of Round Rock's wastewater collection system is currently covered under the
Wastewater Discharge Permit that is held by the BCRWWTS.
The East Plant has a treatment capacity of 21.5 million gallons of wastewater per day from the
plant's regional customers. The regional customers include the cities of Round Rock, Cedar Park,
Leander and Austin, and the sub -regional customers include Fern Bluff Municipal Utility District and
Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District. The West Plant is rated for a maximum flow of 3 MGD.
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Because approximately 60% of the City is located over the Edwards Aquifer, the City has a
collection system rehabilitation program that includes cleaning and videoing the collection system
located in this area every 5 -years. The Edwards Aquifer Protection Program is mandated by the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This program also includes inspecting and
correcting "problem" areas that require regular maintenance. This program is funded through the
self-funded wastewater utility fund.
Water Reuse
The City of Round Rock wastewater reuse facility is located at the East Wastewater Treatment
Plant, which can produce up to 6 million gallons per day. The City began using Type II wastewater
reuse in 1997 with a project that provides irrigation water to Forest Creek Golf Course.
Approximately 45 million gallons are currently diverted per year, with a peak demand of 600,000
gallons per day for irrigation of the City's golf course.
Round Rock is currently in the process of converting all reuse water to Type I reuse, which will be
completed by summer of 2014.. Currently, Forest Creek golf course, the 500 -acre Old Settlers
Park and portions of the Dell Diamond baseball facility are irrigated with reuse water. Plans include
connecting Legends Village HOA, Forest Creek HOA and the Freeman tract development common
area irrigation systems to the reuse system; this is set to be completed before the summer of 2014.
The reuse facility will ultimately provide irrigation to various properties on the northeast side of the
City, including Texas State University Higher Education Center, Texas A&M Medical School
campus, Austin Community College campus, Seton Hospital, and the Avery North development.
These facilities will be able to tie into the reuse system by the end of 2014.
1.3 Goals
• Develop and implement conservation programs that will:
• Reduce seasonal peak demands
• Reduce water loss, non -revenue water, unaccounted for water, and water waste
• Decrease per capita day consumption
• Maintain the community's quality of life while continuing to enhance economic growth
• Prevent the pollution of ground and surface water sources
• Establish a heightened public awareness of water conservation in Round Rock.
• Audit and retrofit city facilities with water efficient fixtures, landscapes and irrigation systems
wherever possible.
• Facilitate the conservation efforts of the city's wholesale customers.
• Establish a target of one percent per year reduction in per capita day consumption for the next
five years.
• Monitor conservation strategies for future goal setting purposes.
1.4 Applicability
This plan and Chapter 10, Section 10.800 of the City of Round Rock Code of Ordinances 1995
edition shall apply to all persons, customers and owners of property who use or allow the use of
city water, wherever situated.
1.5 Public Involvement
Opportunity for the public to provide input into the continued development of the Plan or any
modifications has been provided by the City by means of scheduling and providing public notice of
a public meeting to accept input on the Plan. Further, the public is always invited to attend city
council meetings, held the second and fourth Thursday of each month.
Section 2.0
Conservation Goals, Metering and Leak Detection
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2.1 Water Savings Targets
Five -Year Target
• Over the last five years, Round Rock's total gallons per capita per day (gpcd) have
averaged 150 gallons. Our goal is to reduce the total per capita day consumption each
year with a target of achieving 140 gpcd.
• Over the last five years, Round Rock's residential gpcd has averaged 108. Our goal is to
reduce the residential gpcd consumption each year with a target of achieving 90 gpcd.
• Reduce the actual water loss over the five year period so that actual water loss is no
more than ten percent of the total amount of water treated.
Ten -Year Target
• Maintain the total per capita per day consumption each year until the average per capita
day consumption is 140 gpcd or less.
• Reduce and maintain the residential per capita day consumption each year with a target
of achieving 80 gpcd.
• Reduce and maintain the actual water loss until it is no more than ten percent of the total
amount of water treated.
2.2 Metering Devices
Diversion and Production Meters
The Round Rock Water System has six American Water Works Association (AWWA) approved
meters. Two GE ultrasonic, insertion meters are used to measure water diverted from the lake,
two venturi meters are used to measure water entering the treatment plant and the remaining
two, one venturi, one ultrasonic insertion, are used to measure treated water leaving the water
treatment plant. These meters are calibrated at least once per year to an accuracy of plus or
minus one percent. Records of water diverted and produced are collected continuously via a
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System and compiled monthly.
Additionally, the City's Lake Travis water source is metered by BCRUA by two meters. A strap -
on untrasonic meter is at Lake Travis, measuring what is drawn from the lake. The other is a
venturi insertion meter, which meters what enters into the City of Round Rock's water system.
The testing of these meters is managed by BCRUA.
Delivery Meters
The City of Round Rock's current ordinance requires all connections to be metered. All wholesale
meters are regularly monitored and verified. All water meters are tested and calibrated to AWWA
standards. All water meters are read regularly and the readings are verified for accuracy annually.
Meters are replaced and/or repaired as necessary. Residential meters and commercial meters
smaller than 1" are replaced at a minimum every 2,000,000 gallons metered or every fifteen
years, whichever is sooner. Commercial meters that are 1-1/2" to 2" are replaced at a minimum
of 10,000,000 gallons metered or every 10 years, whichever is sooner. Meters 3" or larger are
repaired or replaced on-site after failure or unusual meter reads. The Top 100 users are tested
each year. AMR registers and meter signal boosters will be replaced after failure or 15 years.
Starting with a pilot project in November 2009, the City has been replacing traditional meters with
Master Meter's AMR meters. At the end of 2013, the meter retrofit was 97% completed, with all
but a few large commercial meters being an AMR. Any new meter installed since 2010 has been
an AMR meter. Round Rock is using drive-by meter reading, which has reduced meter read time,
increased meter accuracy, reduced water loss, assumed to increase revenues and reduced staff
by four persons. Currently, only one full-time meter reader is employed. The City is in the
process of continuing to improve the meter reading accuracy and efficiency by upgrading to an
AMI system. Work is starting on this process in 2014 with installing boosters and antennas. The
conversion is projected to be completed by the end of the calendar year.
2.3 Leak Detection, Repair and Control of Unaccounted-for, or Non -Revenue Water
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A substantial portion of the Round Rock Water and Wastewater Utilities is spent on personnel
and equipment for the maintenance of the city's water distribution system. The city operates
crews used for leak repair and crews for leak detection. Most leaks, illegal connections or
abandoned services are detected by field crews or reported by the public. The city visually
inspects its Targe water mains and raw water lines once per year.
The Round Rock Water and Wastewater Utility conducts a water audit each year to identify real
water losses and correct applicable reports. Real water losses are minimized by replacing
deteriorated water mains and customer service lines. These replacement programs are ongoing.
Section 3.0
Public Education and Awareness
The City of Round Rock periodically provides the public with information about the Water
Conservation Plan, including information about proposed rate changes, rebate programs, water
conservation measures and water availability conditions.
3.1 Water Conservation and Drought Contingency information is currently provided through:
o City's electronic newsletter
o press releases
o utility bill inserts and printed material
o Facebook, Twitter, and other City social media outlets
o City website: www.roundrocktexas.gov
o Public meetings, seminars
3.2 The city plans to enhance its public education and awareness component for the next five year
planning period through:
o School education programs
o Presentations at local service organizations and homeowner associations
o Special events, promotions, workshops, and seminars
o Specific Landscape irrigation advice
o Social media campaigns
o Water blog on local water projects and programs
Section 4.0
Non -Promotional Rate Structure
The City of Round Rock began implementation of a multi -tiered rate structure in 2009 to provide
incentive to conserve water during peak landscape irrigation season. The increasing block water
rates are effective each May 1 through September 30. Each customer is charged a monthly base
rate, based on the size of the water meter; then an amount per thousand gallons up to 18,000 for
residential customers with a 5/8" meter. When 18,000 gallons are used, a second tier amount is
125% of tier one, per thousand gallons. For meters larger than 5/8", the volume amount for the
lower block is based on the size of the water meter, then using the number of living unit
equivalents for that meter times the 18,000 gallon amount. The rate structure changed to a four -
tier in 2011, with tiers two and three still increasing in price by 125%. Tier four is a 150%
increase over tier three. For a typical 5/8" meter, the tiers look like this:
Gallons Used Price per 1000 Gallons
0 - 18,000
$2.35
18,100 — 24,000
$2.94
24,100 — 30,000
$3.53
Over 30,000
$4.70
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These rates and thresholds amounts are reviewed on a regular basis. Irrigation -only meters
follow the same tiers and rates as regular potable water, mentioned above.
Reuse water rate structure is a flat rate of 75 percent of the potable water rate; currently $1.76
per 1000 gallons. The rates will be reviewed on a regular basis.
Section 5.0
Reservoir Systems Operations Plan
The City of Round Rock contracts for raw water in Lake Georgetown, Lake Stillhouse Hollow and
Lake Travis from the Brazos River Authority and Lower Colorado River Authority. Round Rock is
not responsible for the management of these reservoirs.
Section 6.0
Means of Implementation and Enforcement
6.1 The City of Round Rock will enforce necessary portions of this plan through ordinances and
signed contracts.
6.2 The City's sworn police officers, code enforcement officers and other designated personnel will
ensure compliance with the water conservation and drought contingency regulations.
6.3 Violations will be handled according to the 2010 City Code of Ordinances, Sec. 44-240.
6.4 The plan will be implemented immediately upon adoption by City Council.
Section 7.0
Tracking Targets and Goals
The staff shall track target and goals by utilizing the following procedures:
7.1 Logs will be maintained for meter calibration, meter testing and meter replacement.
7.2 Annual water audits shall be documented and kept in the Water & Wastewater Utility
Department files. An outside consulting firm will conduct periodic audits.
7.3 Records of all public education shall be maintained. These records must include type, number,
and location distributed.
7.4 Rates are tracked and monitored by the City's Finance Department. An outside consulting firm
will conduct periodic reviews of the rates.
7.5 Logs of the City's Leak Detection Program will be maintained. These records will include
inspections and soundings of water main fittings and connections and night flow measurements.
An outside consulting firm will conduct periodic leak detection audits.
Section 8.0
Coordination with Regional Water Planning Groups
The service area of the City of Round Rock is located within Brazos G Regional Water Planning
Group. The City of Round Rock has mailed a copy of this Plan to the RWPG and the Texas
Water Development Board.
Section 9.0
Record Management
The city desegregates water records on a monthly basis in the following manner:
9.1 Water diverted from water sources.
9.2 Water pumped into the distribution system.
9.3 Water sales including: residential, commercial, public/institutional, bulk water, industrial, parks
irrigation, government and wholesale.
9.4 Non -revenue water.
9.5 Actual water losses.
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Section 10.0
Wholesale Customer Conservation Requirements
All wholesale water contracts require compliance with the City's Drought Contingency and Water
Conservation Plans. Each contract specifies that the water supplied to the wholesale customer
may be reasonably limited by the City on the same basis and to the same extent as the supply of
water to any other customers within the city.
All wholesale contracts entered into, renewed or extended after the adoption of this plan will
include provisions for distributing water to the wholesale customers in accordance with the Texas
Water Code, Section 11.039. Customer entities that intend to resell water provided by the City of
Round Rock shall require that all successive customers implement conservation measures in
accordance with the provisions stated in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 288.
Section 11.0
Additional Conservation Strategies
11.1 The City of Round Rock adopted a plumbing code effective November 2012, based on the 2012
Edition of the International Building Code requiring efficient water use fixtures, which complies
with the State of Texas requirements.
11.2 The City of Round Rock recycles approximately 98% of the filter backwash water at the water
treatment plant.
11.3 The City of Round Rock has several regulations in place to help prevent water waste as a result
of improper irrigation or leaks. City ordinances address the following:
Voluntary outdoor irrigation schedule is encouraged year-round. Residents are encouraged to
limit outdoor irrigation to twice per week on designated watering.day(s), and not during the
hours of 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM. The schedule is as follows:
o Industrial/Commercial/Intuitional/Multifamily properties on Tuesday and/or Friday.
o Residential properties with Odd Addresses on Wednesday and/or Saturday.
o Residential properties with Even Addresses on Thursday and/or Sunday.
• During irrigation, water is not allowed to pool, puddle, or run-off on any impervious area.
• New automatic irrigation systems are required adhere to the TCEQ's 2009 irrigation design
standards.
• Irrigation systems are not allowed to operate if malfunctioning.
11.4 The City of Round Rock operates a permanent household hazardous waste collection program
available free of charge to direct City of Round Rock water customers. It is open on the first
Wednesday of each month and a few other designated Saturday collections. The City intends to
offer these collection services to wholesale customers in the near future for a nominal fee.
Section 12.0
Water Conservation Strategies
Conservation strategies are being implemented using BMPs prepared by the Texas Water
Development Board and other agencies. The City intends to evaluate the strategies using the
following criteria: applicability, potential for saving water, practicality, public acceptance and cost
effectiveness. There is currently one full-time, dedicated water conservation staff. Current
conservation programs include:
• Free irrigation system evaluations to water customers by request or by referral of Utility Billing,
• Promoting seasonal watering schedule changes
• Public education talks to schools, service organizations, HOAs, clubs, and other groups, as
requested
• Rebate programs:
o Efficient clothes washer rebates
o Upgrades to irrigation systems
o Rainwater harvesting rebates
o High -efficient toilet rebates
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• Give-away and promotional items available on a limited basis, including dye tablets, rain gauges,
showerheads, conservation brochures, landscape guides, and soil moisture sensors
• Special events, such as rainbarrel sales and educational workshops
• Social media outreach
As the program continues to expand and plumbing and irrigation technology improves, there is
anticipation of revising existing water conservation incentives and ending programs that have market
saturation. There is also continued research on new programs and ordinances to possibly include:
o Showerhead, Faucet Aerator and other conservation tool giveaways
o Water Wise Landscape Design Incentives, possibly including soils, mulch, drought -
tolerant plant rebates
o Expanded rainwater Harvesting Programs
o Increased Irrigation System Upgrade Rebates on new technologies, weather -based data
o Amendments to Landscape Development Code to include specifications on soil depth,
plant selection
o Commercial property specific rebates
o Increased public education workshops
o Use of AMI technology
o Evaluation of current seasonal tiered water rate structure
o Expanding conservation programs to include MUD water customers
Section 13.0
Plan Review and Update
The City of Round Rock will review and update the Water Conservation Plan as appropriate based on an
assessment of the five and ten year goals. At a minimum, the Water Conservation Plan will be updated
and adopted no later than May 1, 2019 and every five years thereafter.
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