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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 3131 Exhibit D Drought Contingency Response Plan (Superseded by Ordinance 3132 Exhibit A) - 072015 Ordinance 3131 Exhibit Page 1 of 4 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND DROUGHT CONTINGENCY RESPONSE PLAN Adopted:July 20, 2015 Introduction Historically snowpack builds in the watershed until early April. Thereafter, melting snow provides much of the water for stream flows through July. Less than 10%of the annual precipitation falls during summer months and from early July there are often 90 or more days with virtually no precipitation. Generally the Big Quilcene and Little Quilcene Rivers provide sufficient water for municipal and industrial demand through the beginning of September. If stream flows decline below the minimum instream requirements, the City relies upon water stored in Lords Lake reservoir. The rainy season, typically developing in October and continuing through spring, recharges the streams and allows refilling Lords Lake by mid winter. Low Flow Conditions The US Forest Service Special Use Permit(SUP) for the operation of the Big Quilcene River municipal diversion mandates a minimum instream flow of 27 cfs below the Big Quilcene diversion if naturally available. Flow is measured below the diversion with a USGS maintained stream gage. Diversions are reduced to maintain 27 cfs instream below the diversion and water from Lords Lake is used to augment the total supply based on the daily demand. At a flow of 27 cfs the Big Quilcene River diversion will be shut off. The Little Quilcene River water right and SUP requires maintaining a minimum instream flow of 6 cfs. Diversions are adjusted as necessary to sustain flow below the diversion. When used to supplement low stream flows, Lords Lake (500 million gallons) can provide three months of supply depending upon City and Mill implemented conservation measures or a month and a half if used as the sole source of supply. City Lake (140 million gallons) is held in reserve for domestic and health and safety consumption only. Reservoir drawdown triggers City and Mill water conservation plan implementation. The necessary degree of implementation also takes into consideration the time of year when Lords Lake drawdown begins. This drought response plan is divided into five stages. Each stage has its own level of activity and triggering condition. Action timing may be adjusted earlier than specified if reservoir drawdown occurs sooner or is more rapid than predicted. Forecast Alert Forecast drought conditions and the probability of beginning drawing down Lords Lake prior to September 1st. • City may request authorization from the Washington State Department of Ecology Dam Safety Office to temporarily increase the water contained in Lords Lake. In April 2015 the City received permission to increase the level to 37' 6" (2' 6" above the lip of the spillway). In June, the Office of Dam Safety permitted additional increase in lake level when the likelihood of a storm event Ordinance 3131 Exhibit Page 2 of 4 had passed and the anticipated drawdown was a couple of weeks away. The additional 3' of water level gained is an estimated 70 million gallons. Stage 1—Voluntary Conservation This action is triggered by the time of year in which withdrawals from Lords Lake are necessary due to low stream flows. The key elements of Stage 1 are communication of public information, implementation of the Paper Mill conservation plan, and cooperation from customers. • The City issues news releases to newspapers, radio stations, utility bill newsletter and the City's web pages. • Request voluntary customer water conservation. • The City will initiate water conservation measures in City parks and facilities. • Eliminate reservoir and storage tank overflows. • Postpone flushing and hydrant testing. • Request Port Townsend golf course reduce watering to tees and greens. • Request East Jefferson Fire Rescue eliminate unnecessary use of water. • Send letters to the schools and Fort Worden requesting these facilities minimize outdoor watering. The goal is to have a reduction in consumption of at least 5 percent. Sustained precipitation and rising stream flows facilitating refilling the reservoirs would permit lifting these conservation measures. Stage 2—Outdoor Restrictions Lords Lake water level at 15' and stream flows that prevent refilling the reservoir trigger mandatory restrictions. The key element of a Stage 2 declaration is to reduce and/or eliminate outdoors use of water.The goal of this stage is to reduce water consumption by 10 percent. • Alternating days for outdoor watering. Even numbered addresses water only on even numbered days, odd numbered addresses water only on odd numbered days, and all customers minimize watering use. Minimizing total use will be emphasized. • News releases are released to indicate the need for a greater reduction in water consumption. Sustained precipitation and rising stream flows facilitating refilling the reservoirs would permit lifting these conservation measures. Stage 3—Mandatory Outdoor Restrictions and Indoor Conservation Lords Lake level of 0' and stream flows that prevent refilling the reservoir trigger additional restrictions. A Stage 3 declaration aims to further curtail and/or eliminate outdoors use of water.The goal of this stage is to reduce water consumption by 20 percent. • News releases will communicate information applicable to this stage. • A message will be inserted with utility bills or as a direct mailing. • Customers will be limited to once a week outdoor watering. • Vehicle washing will be prohibited except at commercial car washes. • Water will not be used for construction projects to reduce dust. • Customers are asked to reduce indoor use of water. Ordinance 3131 Exhibit Page 3 of 4 • Door hangers or personal contact is used to notify violators. • Repeat violations will subject the consumer to potential shutoff. Sustained precipitation, rising stream flows, and refilling Lords Lake to 5' would permit lifting these conservation measures. Stage 4—Pumping Lords Lake At a water surface elevation of 0' Lords Lake contains an estimated 30-40 MG below the bottom of the outlet structure. A portable pump may be installed to lift water into the outlet structure. Pumping is required at a level of approximately 3' to use the remaining water in the reservoir. Pumping may continue as long as water is available and turbidity at the Lords Lake outlet is maintained below 4 NTU. • The entire volume of City Lake is reserved for municipal consumption and that necessary for Paper Mill health and safety. • The City of Port Townsend is reserving a quantity of water such that 1 mgd is available from storage until November 301h when the goal is to have City Lake with at least 70 MG remaining (22' 6"). • The Paper Mill will cease production and limit water use to that essential for health and safety, an estimated 1,000,000 gallons per day, when Lords Lake is empty or if the total volume of water reserved for municipal use is reached (Number of days until November 301h X 2 MG–70 MG in City Lake). Sustained precipitation, rising stream flows, and refilling Lords Lake to 5' would permit lifting these conservation measures. Stage 5–Water Rationing A Stage 5 declaration rations the limited remaining supply of water for essential uses only.This action is triggered when Lords Lake is empty and City Lake level is at 34' 6". The Port Townsend City Council is responsible for issuing a Stage 5 declaration.The goal of this stage is to reduce consumption 30 percent below the average daily demand and to ensure City Lake is at least half full (22' 6") at the end of November. • News releases and other communications will emphasize that only essential use of water is allowed. • A direct mailing to customers is utilized to ensure that information about the severe nature of the situation is communicated. • No outdoor use is permitted. • Non-critical accounts are turned off after notification to the customer. • Penalties, such as monetary or shutoff, will be applied for violations. Sustained precipitation, rising stream flows, and refilling City Lake would permit lifting these conservation measures. Coordination Meetings City and Mill representatives meet monthly to discuss the water system and other issues of mutual concern. Withdrawals from Lords Lake that are triggered by low stream flows initiate City/Mill Ordinance 3131 Exhibit Page 4 of 4 conservation discussions. At a Lords Lake level of 25' City and Mill meetings will be held weekly. If water levels reach a Stage 2 response level the City and Mill will keep the Washington Department of Health Office of Drinking Water and Jefferson County Department of Health advised of the situation.