Water Contigency Plan

The City of North Richland Hills has adopted a Water Conservation and Emergency Water Demand/Drought Contingency Plan. According to this plan, the following steps may be taken during a water shortage emergency:

Stage 1 - Water Watch
Stage 1 is triggered when daily water demand exceeds 90 percent of the production capacity of the system for three consecutive days, or short term deficiencies in the distribution system limit supply capability. The goal at this level is to raise public awareness of potential water supply issues. Any or all of the measures listed below may be implemented to achieve this goal:

1. Requests voluntary reductions in water use by customers over cable television and through the news media.
2. Activate an information center and discuss the situation in the news media.
3. Staff will begin a review of the problems that initiated the Stage 1 actions.
4. Notify major water users and work with them to achieve voluntary water use reduction.
5. Prohibit City government use of water for street washing, vehicle washing, operation of ornamental fountains, and all other non-essential use.
6. Request no landscape watering between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. by customers or City.
7. Request City of Watauga adhere to the same restrictions as NRH retail customers.

Stage 2 - Water Warning
Stage 2 is triggered when daily water demand exceeds 95 percent of the production capacity of the system for two consecutive days. Mandatory restrictions are implemented and enforced n this stage. An identifiable reduction of 2%, in comparison to the use that would have occurred in the absence of Stage 2 implementation, is expected. Continued implementation of all relevant actions from Stage 1 as well as any or all of the following measures may be implemented to achieve Stage 2 goal:

1. Initiate engineering studies to evaluate alternatives should conditions worsen.
2. Continue public information efforts regarding water supply conditions and conversation efforts.
3. Begin mandatory water use restrictions as follows: Prohibit hosing off of paved areas, buildings, or windows; operation of ornamental fountains, swimming pool draining followed by refilling; washing or rinsing vehicles by hose; using water in such a manner as to allow runoff or other water wastes.
4. Limit landscape watering at each service address to once every five days based on the last digit of the address per the schedule below. Request no watering between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

   
   

   Last Digit of Address	Allowed Water Dates
   0 or 5	5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th
   1 or 6	1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, 26th
   2 or 7	2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd, 27th
   3 or 8	3rd, 8th, 13th, 18th, 23rd, 28th
   4 or 9	4th, 9th, 14th, 19th, 24th, 29th

   
   

5. No watering will be allowed on the 31st. The lowest address number will identify apartments, office building complexes, or other property containing multiple addresses. Where there are no numbers, a number will be assigned by the Public Works Director. These restrictions also apply to government facilities. Exceptions: Foundations, azaleas, and new plantings (first year) of trees and shrubs may be watered with a hand held soaker hose on any day for up to two hours; nurseries may water plant stock only without restrictions; public gardens may water without restrictions; golf courses may water greens and tee boxes without restrictions. Other areas, including fairways, must adhere to the five-day rotational watering schedule based on their address. Hand held watering by hose or bucket may be done on any day. Restrictions do not apply to any location using groundwater or wastewater effluent for irrigation.
6. Require a reduction by local governments of non-essential water use and a reduction in landscape watering.
7. Encourage people to wait until the emergency water situation has passed to establish new landscaping.
8. Prohibit draining and refilling of existing pools and filling of new pools. Existing commercial, public and private swimming pools that are filled may add water to replace that lost during daily use.
9. Advise City of Watauga of actions being taken by North Richland Hills and require enforcement of like procedures in Watauga.

Stage 3 - Water Emergency
Stage 3 is triggered when daily water demand exceeds 95 percent of the production capacity of the system for five consecutive days. The goal is a 5% reduction in the use that would have occurred in the absence of Stage 3 implementation. Continued implementation of Stage 1 and 2 as well as any or all of the following measures may be implemented to achieve Stage 3 goals:

1. Implementation of recommended engineering alternatives.
2. Prohibit residential and commercial lawn watering and car washing between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Exception: Restrictions do not apply to any location using groundwater or wastewater effluent for irrigation.
3. Foundations, shrubs, and trees may be watered with soaker or hand-held hose on the same five-day rotational basis as landscapes for up to two hours.
4. Golf courses using treated water for grounds watering must adhere to the following schedule: Greens and tee boxes may be watered, but NOT between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Other areas, including fairways, must adhere to the five-day rotational watering schedule based on their address.
5. Public gardens may water, but NOT between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
6. Nurseries may water plant stock, but NOT between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
7. No new landscaping may be established during this period.
8. No refilling of private pools. Commercial and public pools may refill water lost to normal daily use.
9. Advise City of Watauga of actions being taken by North Richland Hills and require enforcement of like procedures in Watauga.

Stage 4 - Water Crisis
Stage 4 is triggered when daily water demand exceeds 100 percent of the production capacity of the system for two consecutive days. The Stage 4 goal for water use reduction is 10% less than would have occurred in the absence of Stage 3 implementation. Because of the significance of this level, mandatory requirements will be set on wholesales customers. Continued implementation of Stages 1, 2, and 3, as well as any of the following measures may be implemented to achieve the goal of 10% reduction:

1. Prohibit all commercial and residential landscape watering including golf courses, with the following exceptions: a. Nurseries' plant stock may be watered, but NOT between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., once every five days based on the last digit of their address per the schedule in Stage
2. b. Public gardens may water, but NOT between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., once every five days based on the last digit of their address per the schedule in Stage 2. c. Golf course greens and tee boxes may be watered, but NOT between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., once every five days based on the last digit at their address per the schedule in Stage 2. d. Foundations may be watered for a two-hour period, but NOT between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. with a soaker or hand-held hose on the five-day rotational basis prescribed for landscaping watering in Stage 2. e. Any location using groundwater or wastewater effluent for irrigation. 2. Any and all washing of vehicles is prohibited, except vehicles that need to be washed for health sanitation or safety reasons, such as food carriers. Any vehicle washing must occur at a commercial car wash or commercial service station with a recirculating water system.
3. No new landscaping may be established during this period.
4. No refilling of private pools. Commercial and public pools may refill water lost to normal daily use.
5. All commercial water users may be required to reduce water consumption by a percentage determined by the Public Works Director.
6. Advise City of Watauga of actions being taken by North Richland Hills and require enforcement of like procedures in Watauga.