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RESOLUTION NO. R-1314-100: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, ADOPTING THE CITY OF NORMAN WATER CONSERVATION PLAN 2014, AS AMENDED.
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BACKGROUND: In 2001, Norman’s 2001 Strategic Water Supply Plan was adopted by Council. The City developed a ‘Water Conservation Plan’ in 2002. The Water Conservation Plan outlined a short history of Norman’s water system, an inventory of Norman’s water sources, customer uses, rates, system loss and fundamental water conservation measures. The Water Conservation Plan was updated in 2006 and again in 2011 and now in 2014.
Council adopted the current plan, the Water Conservation Plan 2011, as amended, including the Drought Contingency Plan, (the “Plan”) on February 26, 2013. The conservation stages adopted in that plan have been used primarily to reduce water usage during the peak season (summer). Most recently, the City used the plan’s guidance to institute Stage 2 Moderate (Mandatory) Conservation effective January 14, 2013. During the annual Council Retreat, one of the topics of discussion that was prioritized was updating the current Water Conservation Plan ( the “Plan”), including examining whether the City should consider implementing year round mandatory watering restrictions.
Proposed Changes to the Water Conservation Plan
Given recent water shortage concerns, many cities have implemented mandatory watering restrictions on a year round basis. Recently, the City of Oklahoma City implemented Progressive Water Conservation Measures which includes permanent year-round mandatory odd/even watering restrictions. More stringent restrictions are dictated by combined lake capacity.
Oklahoma City’s plan requires all of their wholesale municipal water customers to follow the same or stricter conservation measures. This includes a number of metro area cities like Moore, Mustang, Yukon, and El Reno. Although Norman only buys water from Oklahoma City on an emergency basis, an argument can be made that during those times when we are purchasing Oklahoma City water, Norman should be implementing the similar or stricter conservation measures.
During its September meeting, the Council Oversight Committee explored several areas of possible amendments to Norman’s Water Conservation Plan. The Committee looked at the recent changes to the Oklahoma City policy and discussed ways some of those changes could be used in and tailored to Norman.
The Committee discussed the following changes to the current Plan:
1. Implement mandatory year-round odd/even landscaping watering conservation
2. Adjust lake levels that can trigger implementation of conservation stages
3. Draft language to more clearly communicate that hand-watering and using soaker hoses are allowed even when watering the yard may not be allowed
4. Allow non-commercial car washing in Stage 2 Conservation (on the appropriate odd/even day)
5. Stage 2 Mandatory Conservation would follow the Oklahoma City Stage 2 Conservation, i.e. two days per week watering
6. All Mandatory Conservation efforts, including year round odd/even watering restrictions would also restrict watering between 9am and 6pm.
These changes were presented to the full Council at its Study Session on September 17, 2013 and the consensus of Council was to move forward with the proposed plan changes.
For clarity and enforcement purposes, the City Council moved to a mandatory year-round odd/even watering schedule by adopting Ordinance O-1314-26 on January 14, 2014.
DISCUSSION: The proposed changes to the Water Conservation Plan include the changes discussed by the Oversight Committee and presented to Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of Resolution No. R-1314-100 adopting the City of Norman 2014 Water Conservation Plan.