for



Benton City Water Supply

Corporation

by

Texas Commission on

Environmental Quality

980 FM 3175

Lytle, Texas 78052

CCN# 12587

PWS# TX1630034

January, 2005

In cases of extreme drought, periods of abnormally high usage, system contamination, or extended reduction in ability to supply water due to equipment failure, temporary restrictions may be instituted to limit nonessential water usage. The purpose of the Drought Contingency Plan (Plan) is to encourage member conservation in order to maintain supply, storage, or pressure or to comply with the requirements of a court, government agency or other authority.

Opportunity for the public to provide input into the preparation of the Plan was provided by:

Scheduling and providing public notice of a public meeting to accept input on the Plan. The meeting took place at:

Date: January 19, 2005 Time: 10:00 a.m. Location: 21180 Naegelin Road, Lytle, TX

The Benton City Water Supply Corporation 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.

Drought plan information will be provided by:

• Annual Mailing every January; Benton City Water website
• Annual Meeting held the second Tuesday of April every year

Section 4 Coordination with Regional Water Planning Groups

The service area of the Benton City Water Supply Corporation is located within Regional Water Planning Group (RWPG) South Central Texas Regional Water Planning Group.

Benton City Water Supply Corporation has mailed a copy of this Plan to the RWPG.

Section 5 Notice Requirements

Written notice will be provided to each member prior to implementation or termination of each stage of the water restriction program. Mailed notice must be given to each member 72 hours prior to the start of water restriction. If notice is hand delivered, Benton City Water Supply Corporation cannot enforce the provisions of the plan for 24 hours after notice is provided. The written notice to members will contain the following information:

1. the date restrictions will begin,
2. the circumstances that triggered the restrictions,
3. the stages of response and explanation of the restrictions to be implemented, and,
4. an explanation of the consequences for violations.

Benton City Water Supply Corporation must notify the TCEQ by telephone at (512) 239-4691, or electronic mail at watermon@tceq.state.tx.us prior to implementing Stage III and must notify in writing the Public Drinking Water Section at MC - 155, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087 within five (5) working days of implementation including a copy of Benton City Water Supply Corporation’s restriction notice. Benton City Water Supply Corporation must file a status report of its restriction program with the TCEQ at the initiation and termination of mandatory water use restrictions (i.e., Stages III and IV).

Section 6 Violations

1. First violation - The member will be notified by written notice of their specific violation.
2. Subsequent violations:
1. After written notice, Benton City Water Supply Corporation may install a flow restricting device in the line to limit the amount of water which will pass through the meter in a 24-hour period. Benton City Water Supply Corporation may charge the member for the actual cost of installing and removing the flow restricting device, not to exceed $50.00.
2. After written notice, Benton City Water Supply Corporation may discontinue service at the meter for a period of seven (7) days, or until the end of the calendar month, whichever is LESS. The normal reconnect fee of Benton City Water Supply Corporation will apply for restoration of service.

Section 7 Exemptions or Variances

Benton City Water Supply Corporation may grant any member an exemption or variance from the drought contingency plan or good cause upon written request. A member who is refused an exemption or variance may appeal such action of Benton City Water Supply Corporation in writing to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Benton City Water Supply Corporation will treat all members equally concerning exemptions and variances, and shall not discriminate in granting exemptions and variances. No exemption or variance shall be retroactive or otherwise justify any violation of this Plan occurring prior to the issuance of the variance.

Section 8 Response Stages

Unless there is an immediate and extreme reduction in water production, or other absolute necessity to declare an emergency or severe condition, Benton City Water Supply Corporation will initially declare Stage I restrictions. If, after a reasonable period of time, demand is not reduced enough to alleviate outages, reduce the risk of outages, or comply with restrictions required by a court, government agency or other authority, Stage II may be implemented with Stage III to follow if necessary.

Stage I will begin: Every April 1st

Benton City Water Supply Corporation will mail a public announcement to its members.

Stage I will end: Every September 30th

Benton City Water Supply Corporation will mail a public announcement to it’s members.

Utility Measures:

This announcement will be designed to increase member awareness of water conservation and encourage the most efficient use of water. A copy of the current public announcement on water conservation awareness shall be kept on file available for inspection by the TCEQ.

Voluntary Water Use Restrictions:

Water members are requested to voluntarily limit the use of water for nonessential purposes and to practice water conservation.

Target: Achieve a 10% (percent) reduction in total water use.

Benton City Water Supply Corporation will implement State II when:

1. Average daily water usage reaches 85% of system production capacity for three consecutive days.
2. Consideration will be given to weather conditions, time of year and customer complaints of low water pressure.
3. There is an extended period (at least 8 weeks) of low rainfall and daily use has risen 20% above the use for the same period during the previous year.
   

Upon initiation and termination of Stage II, Benton City Water Supply Corporation will mail a public announcement to its members. Benton City Water Supply Corporation will notify TCEQ.

Requirements for Termination:

Stage II of the Plan may end when all of the conditions listed as triggering events have ceased to exist for a period of three (3) consecutive days. Upon termination of Stage II, Stage I becomes operative.

Utility Measures:

Visually inspect lines and repair leaks on a daily basis; reduced flushing of water mains; monthly review of member use records and follow-up on any that have unusually high usage.

The second water source for Benton City Water Supply Corporation is: Inter-connections with City of Lytle and City of Natalia.

Voluntary Water Use Restrictions:

1. Restricted Hours: Outside watering is allowed daily, but only during periods specifically described in the member notice; between 6 - 10 a.m., and 8 - 10 p.m. weekdays.
2. Restricted Days/Hours: Water members are requested to voluntarily limit the irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems. Members are requested to limit outdoor water use to 6 - 10 a.m., and 8 - 10 p.m. weekdays. The meters that end with even numbers (or zero) are to water on even days, and the members with odd numbers will water on odd days of the month with no watering on weekends. However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at anytime if it is by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet-filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, or drip irrigation system.

STAGE III - MANDATORY WATER USE RESTRICTIONS:

Target: Achieve a 20% reduction in total water use.

Benton City Water Supply Corporation will implement Stage III when:

1. Average daily water use reaches 90% of system water production capacity for three consecutive days.
2. Net water storage is continually decreasing on a daily basis, and falls below 80% storage for 48 hours.
3. Water pressures fall to below 49 psi in the water distribution system, during non-peak water usage hours, as measured by the distribution line gages.
   

Upon initiation and termination of Stage III, Benton City Water Supply Corporation will mail a public announcement to its members. Benton City Water Supply Corporation will notify TCEQ.

Requirements for Termination:

Stage III of the Plan may end when all of the conditions listed as triggering events have ceased to exist for a period of three (3) consecutive days. Upon termination of Stage III, Stage II becomes operative.

Utility Measures:

Visually inspect lines and repair leaks on a regular basis. Flushing is prohibited except for dead end mains.

Mandatory Water Use Restrictions:

The following water use restrictions shall apply to all members:

1. Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems. The meters that end with even numbers (or zero) are to water on even days, and the members with odd numbers will water on odd days of the month. Irrigation of landscaped areas is further limited to the hours of 6 a.m. – 10 a.m., and 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. on designated watering days. However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at anytime if it is by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet-filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, or drip irrigation system.
2. Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rinses. Vehicle washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station. Further, such washing may be exempted from these regulations if the health, safety, and welfare of the public are contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such as garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.
3. Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, or “jacuzzi” type pool is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of 6 a.m. – 10 a.m., and 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
4. Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.
5. Use of water from hydrants or flush valves shall be limited to maintaining public health, safety, and welfare.
6. The following uses of water are defined as nonessential and are prohibited:
1. wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas
   
2. use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection;
   
3. use of water for dust control;
   
4. flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street;
   
5. failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such
   
6. leak(s); and
   
7. any waste of water.

Target: Achieve a 30% percent reduction in total water use.

Benton City Water Supply Corporation will implement Stage IV when:

1. The imminent or actual failure of a major component of the system which would interrupt water delivery for a prolonged period, or cause an immediate health or safety hazard.
2. Water demand exceeds 97% of the system production capacity for three consecutive days.
3. Water demand exceeds 95% of production capacity for 30 days.
4. Other unforeseen events which could immanent health or safety risks to the public.
   

Upon initiation and termination of Stage IV, Benton City Water Supply Corporation will mail a public announcement to its members. Benton City Water Supply Corporation will notify TCEQ.



Requirements for Termination:

Stage IV of the Plan may be rescinded when all of the conditions listed as triggering events have ceased to exist for a period of three (3) consecutive days. Upon termination of Stage IV, Stage

III becomes operative.

Operational Measures:

Benton City Water Supply Corporation shall visually inspect lines and repair leaks on a daily basis. Flushing is prohibited except for dead end mains and only between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Emergency interconnects or alternative supply arrangements shall be initiated. All meters shall be read as often as necessary to insure compliance with this program for the benefit of all the members.

Mandatory Water Use Restrictions: (all outdoor use of water is prohibited)

1. Irrigation of landscaped areas is absolutely prohibited.
2. Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is absolutely prohibited.