Title
RESOLUTION NO. R-1213-103: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, ADOPTING THE CITY OF NORMAN WATER CONSERVATION PLAN 2011, AS AMENDED.
Body
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.
Council adopted the current plan, the Water Conservation Plan 2011, including the Drought Contingency Plan, (the “Plan”) on May 31st, 2011. 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. Norman is entering the third year of the most significant drought in this area in 30 years. According to the Drought Impact Center, almost 95% of Oklahoma is in Category D3 (Extreme) or Category D4 (Exceptional) drought conditions. Norman is currently categorized has having Extreme Drought Conditions. The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center expects the current drought to continue or worsen through at least the Spring of 2013. Currently, the water level in Lake Thunderbird is 7 ½ feet below the normal pool elevation and is on track to meet and exceed the historical record low level set in 2006. Approximately 2/3 of Norman’s water supply originates from Lake Thunderbird. The Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District (COMCD) manages the lake as a long term water supply source for Norman, Midwest City and Del City, and because of the ongoing drought conditions, has imposed a mandatory 10% reduction in the water Norman can get from Lake Thunderbird. COMCD has indicated an additional mand...
Click here for full text