(a)The city obtains its raw water supply from Lake Travis through a water supply agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). The city’s utility department is the managing municipal entity that owns and operates the surface water treatment facility that withdraws raw water from Lake Travis, treats and disinfects the utility’s drinking water supply, and delivers the potable water to its retail and wholesale service area customers. The city’s water utility operates as Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Public Water Supply system 246009 and serves the area defined by TCEQ Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) 10160.

(b)The service area of the city’s water utility is bordered by Texas Highway 620 to the south and by the City of Leander to the north and lies to the north and northwest of the City of Austin. The city’s water utility service area extends to the east past Parmer Lane (FM 734) to Sam Bass Road and to the west along Texas FM 1431 to its intersection with Trails End Road. The city’s water utility service area covers more than 33 square miles and served an estimated 2008 population of 67,836 customers.

(c)The city’s utility department estimates the year 2010 water service area population at 70,658 and estimates the year 2015 water service area population at 77,848. The city’s water utility currently provides about 17,970 service connections (16,905 residential, 1,046 nonresidential, 15 wholesale, 2 reclaimed water and 1 raw water) for its estimated 67,358 water customers. The water utility supplies the following four treated wholesale customers: Williamson-Travis County Municipal Utility District (MUD) No. 1 with 11 system connections, LCRA with 2 system connections, Blockhouse MUD with 1 system connection, and Indian Springs with 1 system connection. The 15 wholesale system connections account for 4,183 residential and commercial individual connections.

(d)Water system data compiled from 2007 indicated an average daily water use of 10.2 million gallons and a peak daily demand of 17.6 million gallons. The city’s water treatment plant has a current capacity to treat 26 million gallons per day (MGD) of raw surface water from Lake Travis. The city water utility presently has 11.97 million gallons capacity of ground and elevated storage tanks, operates 2 booster pump stations, and has about 290 miles of transmission and distribution system delivery lines.

(e)The city’s water reclamation facility (WRF) is owned and operated by the city and has a wastewater treatment capacity of 2.5 MGD that produces a treated effluent that meets the Type I reclaimed water quality for unrestricted beneficial reuse. A portion of the city’s wastewater service area also participates in the LCRA/Brazos River Authority Brushy Creek regional wastewater system and has an allocated treatment capacity of 3.5 MGD permitted for that system. The city’s wastewater service area (CCN #20580) includes 18 pump stations and about 219 miles of collection system service mains. The city’s WRF provides the availability of 1 MGD of Type I reclaimed water for irrigation of the Avery Ranch Golf Course located east of the city.

Sec. 18.11.002 Conservation goals

(a)The city’s annual average water use over the past five years is 166.7 gallons per capita per day (gpcd). The city’s annual average water loss over the past five years is 13.6% of water delivered or 29.4 gpcd. Presented below are the city’s five-year and ten-year goals for reducing the annual average water use and water loss.

(1)Five-year conservation goals.

(A)Reduce the average per capita day water usage by 2.5% by 2014 with a goal of achieving 162.5 gpcd.

(B)Reduce water loss by 2.5% by 2014 so that water loss is no more than 13.3% of delivered water or 26.1 gpcd.

(2)Ten-year conservation goals.

(A)Reduce the average per capita day water usage by 2.5% between 2014 and 2019 with a goal of achieving 158.4 gpcd by 2019.

(B)Reduce water loss by 2.5% by 2019 so that water loss is no more than 13.0% of water delivered or 24.5 gpcd.

(b)The continuation of an on-going public education program, a plumbing fixture retrofit and replacement program, a leak detection monitoring program, a universal metering program, and the staffing of a water conservation coordinator position and other programs described below serve to ensure that the water treatment capacity and distribution system are capable of meeting the growing potable water demands that are expected within the service area, based on the city’s projected population growth. To meet these objectives, the city (plans to) officially adopt this water conservation plan (the plan) at a city council meeting (planned for) April 2009.

Sec. 18.11.003 Best management practices

During the 80th Texas Legislative Session, SB3, HB4 and HB3 were all passed and involve state water planning and conservation. TCEQ and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) jointly adopted these rules requiring the submission of a water conservation plan from public utilities that provide service to 3,300 or more connections. These utilities must also make annual progress reports to the TWDB, describing how they are implementing the conservation plans. Previously, TWDB-approved water conservation plans were only required from utilities making water rights applications or receiving funding from the TWDB. The TWDB Report 362 Water Conservation Best Management Practices Guide is the reference manual for water conservation practices discussed herein. The best management practices (BMPs) that the city currently utilizes and plans on utilizing to meet their annual water conservation goals are as follows:

BMP Category BMP Cedar Park Program Description Utility practices Water audit and loss The city performs a detailed water audit annually and performs monthly water audits to track unaccounted water (Ref. 18.11.005). Water conservation pricing The city has a conservation-oriented (inclining block) water rate schedule with increasingly higher rates after consumption of 2,000 gallons (Ref. 18.11.008 and Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Article 8.000). Prohibition on wasting water In the city’s drought contingency and water emergency plan ordinance ( Article 18.08.011), the city prohibits wasting of water under various drought response stages. Metering and retrofit Raw water is metered along with all treated water connections. There is a program in place to monitor and replace meters (Ref. 18.11.004 and 18.11.005). Rebates and incentive programs Showerhead, aerator & toilet flapper replacement program The city sells low-flow faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, uniflap toilet flappers, and showercontrol valves at low cost at the city hall. Public outreach Public information Water conservation public education inserts are provided in utility billing, direct mailings, on the city website, pamphlets and in newspaper articles and advertisements (Ref. 18.11.007). The city works with local businesses through individual meetings, breakfasts, etc. to inform them of the city’s watering schedule. Water IQ The city is a member of the water IQ program, which is the statewide program providing public awareness for water conservation practices. The city currently has water IQ informational booths at large city functions and festivals. Conservation campaign The city has partnered with the City of Austin and LCRA for the water conservation televised campaign. Outdoor programs Water reuse In 2007 the city delivered 189.5 million gallons of reclaimed water for Avery Ranch Golf Course (Ref. 18.11.013). Other Water conservation coordinator Water conservation coordinator assesses conservation efforts, reports on a monthly and annual basis and monitors five-year conservation efforts (Ref. 18.11.016 and Ref. 18.11.017).

Sec. 18.11.004 Source supply metering devices

The city meters Lake Travis raw water withdrawals from the LCRA through two (2) meters. These meters are calibrated and tested annually to an accuracy of plus or minus two percent (2%).

Sec. 18.11.005 Universal metering and meter maintenance

(a)All water customers of the city water utility, including city offices and public facilities are metered. The city is now installing remote metering throughout the service area and plans to have the entire service area converted in the next five years.

(b)Meter replacement and maintenance program. Every residential meter shall be changed out approximately every eight years. Every meter that will be changed out is tested and if possible, rebuilt. The city is equipped with a meter test bench where all meters two inches (2") and smaller are tested before being put into service. When such meters are calibrated, they are calibrated to an accuracy of plus or minus two percent (2%). Meters two inches (2") and higher are scheduled to be tested twice per year. At any time, a customer may request their meter to be tested. Guidelines for such requests are established in article 18.01, water rates, charges, and service regulations of this code.

Sec. 18.11.006 Control measures for unaccounted water

The city performs monthly water system audits to track unaccounted for water using the following monthly data: billing data (gallons sold), treated water data (gallons pumped), number of repaired leaks (and estimated gallons lost through leakage), and estimated gallons used for line flushing and fire hydrant testing. Additionally, the city performs a detailed water system audit annually as required by the LCRA and the Texas Water Development Board.

Sec. 18.11.007 Public education

(a)Education materials. The city will make available water conservation education materials for its customers on an on-going basis. Such information shall be provided to customers through various mediums including but not limited to: utility bill inserts, pamphlets provided at public facilities, direct mailings, school presentations, and periodic articles published in a local newspaper. When appropriate, the city shall also coordinate education efforts with local water suppliers, agencies, and regulators to promote water conservation education.

(b)New customers. Water conservation information will be available to new water customers when applying for service. This information is made available at city hall and at other designated public buildings.

(c)The city participates in the water IQ program, the statewide program providing public awareness for water conservation practices. The city currently has water IQ informational booths at large city functions and festivals. The city shall continue public awareness to encourage their voluntary two-day per week watering schedule.

Sec. 18.11.008 Water rate structure

(a)The city’s water rate charges and service regulations are contained in article 18.01, water rates, charges, and service regulations. The inclined user rate structure is contained in this code, appendix A, article 8.000, utility related fees. The residential user rate in place is a minimum monthly base rate for the first two thousand (2,000) gallons used. After residential consumption of the first 2,000 gallons per month, an inclined rate is applied for each of the following volumetric categories: 2,001 gallons to 10,000 gallons, 10,001 gallons to 15,000 gallons and greater than 15,000 gallons. The nonresidential user rate is a minimum base rate based on meter size for the first 2,000 gallons used. After nonresidential consumption of 2,000 gallons, the rate is based on a charge per each additional thousand (1,000) gallons. This rate structure is conservation-oriented as it charges a nominally higher water rate following a customer’s consumption of the first 2,000 gallons.

(b)Service regulations that address the conservation of water include the following:

(1)Requirements that there be no free service.

(2)All city departments that use water service pay the same user rates set out in the ordinance.

(3)All usage through city fire hydrants shall be authorized by the city and that usage shall be charged for at a metered rate.

Sec. 18.11.009 Leak detection/repair program

The city investigates all reported leaks, performs periodic visual inspections, and schedules leak detection surveys of the water distribution lines. Monthly reports are prepared and incorporated into the monthly and annual system audits; see section 18.11.006 of this plan. Work orders are generated and prioritized by this program.

Sec. 18.11.010Record management system

(a)The city administers a comprehensive record management system that accounts for its water use characteristics. The record management system is maintained by the city’s water utility and is configured to provide the following water use information:

(1)Water diversions;

(2)Water production;

(3)Water deliveries;

(4)Water sales; and

(5)Water losses.

(b)The city’s record management system further allows for the separation of aggregate water sales and water usage characteristics into four customer-specific categories that include:

(1)Residential (single-family);

(2)Residential (multifamily);

(3)Commercial; and

(4)Other (wholesale).

(c)The city’s record management even further allows for the tracking and quantification of water conservation. The following water conservation programs are tracked or proposed for tracking:

(1)Water audits;

(2)Metering of new connections and retrofit and replacement of existing connections;

(3)Toilet replacement (retrofit);

(4)Annual water conservation reporting by water conservation coordinator.

(d)The record management system will serve as the accounting and records repository for the city water utility.

Sec. 18.11.011 Water wholesale agreements

This plan shall require that any future or amended wholesale water supply contract that the water utility negotiates with a wholesale customer shall contain a “pass-through” clause that requires direct compliance with article 18.08, drought contingency and water emergency plan. In turn, should a wholesale customer sell water to another wholesale water entity, then the article 18.08 rules will convey to any additional water utilities and their customers that are served, directly or indirectly, by the water utility.

Sec. 18.11.012 Retrofit/replacement program

The city shall continue to encourage the retrofit or replacement of water efficient plumbing fixtures with the following programs:

(1)Providing water saving devices such as faucet aerators and shower heads to water customers at a discounted price.

(2)Encouraging the use of water efficient devices through the availability of public education materials (see section 18.11.007 of this plan).

Sec. 18.11.013 Water reuse program

(a)A water reclamation program shall be evaluated by the city to serve as a future component of this plan. The city’s water reclamation facility (WRF) produces advanced treatment, high quality effluent that meets the stringent TCEQ Type I reclaimed water standards that may be applied for unrestricted public access uses, in accordance with the regulations specified by 30 TAC 210, the use of reclaimed water. The water reuse program evaluation, at a minimum, will evaluate the following reuse options:

(1)Analyze the potential use of reclaimed water to irrigate municipal parks, athletic fields, roadway medians and rights-of-way (ROW’s), and other landscaped areas that could benefit from these nonpotable reclaimed water uses; and evaluate the potential use of reclaimed water to meet commercial/industrial demands for such nonpotable reuse applications as site irrigation, cooling water make-up, wash down, and process water use.

(2)The city’s reclaimed water program evaluation will assess the potential feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the development of an urban nonpotable reuse system. The focus of the city’s water reclamation program will be to provide water conservation through the future use of reclaimed water in place of potable water supplies where drinking water quality is not required.

(3)The city’s 2004 system data indicates that approximately 1.0 MGD of highly treated wastewater effluent is currently available for reclaimed water applications. The projected growth within the water reclamation facility’s service collection area will continue to provide an increasing supply of reclaimed water to potentially meet future nonpotable demands, on a reliable basis. The city’s WRF provides the availability of 1.0 MGD of Type I reclaimed water for irrigation of the Avery Ranch Golf Course located east of the city.

Sec. 18.11.014 Drought resistant landscape (xeriscape) program

The city shall encourage customers to utilize drought resistant plants and xeriscape techniques through education materials and landscape examples made available to the public (see section 18.11.007 of this plan). The city provides program examples and guidance by maintaining the drought resistant plant (xeriscape) demonstration garden at city hall, by encouraging the use of drought resistant (xeriscape) landscaping principals in the city’s landscape and tree regulations ( chapter 15 of this code), by encouraging the use of xeriscape principals at all city public facilities, and by providing public information on efficient irrigation methods.

Sec. 18.11.015 Reservoir systems operations program

The city obtains its raw water from Lake Travis through a withdrawal contract with LCRA. The city uses floating dock pump stations that are able to withdraw surface water at various stage elevations as the lake’s conservation pool varies in response to flooding and drought conditions. The city is studying options that will allow for it to be prepared to establish a deeper stage intake than is currently capable that would provide it the ability to withdraw raw water at a lake elevation of about 577 feet (above mean sea level). Such action would provide the city with the ability to secure reservoir withdrawals based upon a lake elevation that is set to the historical extreme conditions caused by the 1950’s drought of record. This additional component to the city’s reservoir operations plan should allow the water utility to provide a reliable, long-term, raw water supply to the city even during the most serious drought conditions.

Sec. 18.11.016 Water conservation coordinator

The city has budgeted and staffed a water conservation coordinator position that is responsible for implementing and maintaining the city water conservation program since the late 1990’s. The city’s water conservation coordinator is an individual who is designated to oversee and coordinate water conservation efforts within the water utility’s service area. This position will further document the annual water conservation program implementation status report as it relates to the 30 TAC §288 reporting requirements that indicate the performance of adopted best management practices (BMPs) described by this plan.

Sec. 18.11.017 Conservation assessment and proposed five-year efforts

Conservation efforts will be monitored and assessed annually over the next five years. The city is evaluating the following water conservation strategies and will implement additional water conservation programs by year 2013.

BMP Category BMP Cedar Park Program Description Rebates and incentive programs Toilet replacement program The city will evaluate rebates for installation of low flush toilets for homes built prior to 1992. Public outreach School education The city will evaluate making water conservation presentations to school age children. Water IQ The city will evaluate growing its water IQ public awareness campaign through multi-media approaches. Outdoor programs Landscape irrigation conservation and incentives The city will evaluate offering free irrigation audits to residential and commercial customers and offering incentives for water-saving equipment upgrades such as rebates on new controllers, pressure-reducing valves and rain shutoff devices. Irrigation system analysis The city will evaluate requiring annual submittal of an annual irrigation system analysis for major irrigators and major water users. Rain barrels The city will evaluate selling water conservation rain barrels to the public and marketing them in pamphlets and mailers.

(Ordinance CO44-09-04-23-D1, sec. 2, adopted 4/23/09)