DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN
FOR THE
Canadian River Municipal Water Authority

July 14, 1999

Revised: January 15, 2003

Section I: Declaration of Policy, Purpose, and Intent
In order to conserve the available water supply and/or to protect the integrity of water supply facilities, with particular regard for domestic water use, sanitation, and fire protection, and to protect and preserve public health, welfare, and safety and minimize the adverse impacts of water supply shortage or other water supply emergency conditions, the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (CRMWA) adopts the following Drought Contingency Plan (the Plan).

Section II: Public Involvement
Opportunity for the public and wholesale water customers to provide input into the preparation of the Plan was provided by the CRMWA by posting a draft of the plan & notice of public meeting on the internet, direct mailings to each CRMWA Member City, and a press release for a public meeting held at CRMWA Headquarters.

Section III: Wholesale Water Customer Education
The CRMWA will periodically provide Member Cities 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. This information will be mailed directly to each Member City initially and periodically for all draft & final revisions.

Section IV: Coordination with Regional Water Planning Groups
The water service area of the CRMWA is located within the Region A & O Planning areas and the CRMWA has provided a copy of the draft Plan to the Region A & O Planning Groups and will provide a copy of the approved plan.

Section V: Authorization
The General Manager, or Assistant General Manager, is hereby authorized and directed to implement the applicable provisions of this Plan upon determination that such implementation is necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare. The General Manager, or his/her designee, shall have the authority to initiate or terminate drought or other water supply emergency response measures as described in this Plan.

Section VI: Application
The provisions of this Plan shall apply to all customers utilizing water provided by CRMWA. The terms “person” and “customer” as used in the Plan include municipalities, individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, and all other legal entities.

Section VII: Triggering Criteria for Initiation and Termination of Drought Response Stages
The General Manager, or Assistant General Manager, shall monitor water supply and/or demand conditions on an annual basis and shall determine when conditions warrant initiation of each stage of the Plan. Termination monitoring will be done as changing conditions warrant. Customer notification of the initiation or termination of drought response stages will be made by mail and telephone.
The triggering criteria for (a) through (c) described below are based on CRMWA’s Reservoir Operation Model. CRMWA’s Reservoir Operation Model is a spreadsheet customized for Lake Meredith to compare current conditions to the drought of record and project storage based on those conditions.

(a) Stage 1 - Mild Water Shortage Conditions
Requirements for initiation – The CRMWA will recognize that a mild water shortage condition exists when CRMWA’s Reservoir Operation Model projections show a projected three year future supply in Lake Meredith.
Requirements for termination - Stage 1 of the Plan may be rescinded when CRMWA’s Reservoir Operation Model projections show a four year supply available in Lake Meredith. The CRMWA will notify its Member Cities of the termination of Stage 1 in the same manner as the notification of initiation of Stage 1 of the Plan.

(b) Stage 2 - Moderate Water Shortage Conditions
Requirements for initiation – The CRMWA will recognize that a moderate water shortage condition exists when CRMWA’s Reservoir Operation Model projections show a projected two year future supply in Lake Meredith.
Requirements for termination - Stage 2 of the Plan may be rescinded when CRMWA’s Reservoir Operation Model projections show a three year supply available in Lake Meredith. Upon termination of Stage 2, Stage 1 becomes operative if appropriate. The CRMWA will notify its wholesale customers and the media of the termination of Stage 2 in the same manner as the notification of initiation of Stage 1 of the Plan.

(c) Stage 3 - Severe Water Shortage Conditions
Requirements for initiation – The CRMWA will recognize that a severe water shortage condition exists when CRMWA’s Reservoir Operation Model projections show a projected 1.5 year future supply in Lake Meredith.
Requirements for termination - Stage 3 of the Plan may be rescinded when CRMWA’s Reservoir Operation Model projections show a two year supply available in Lake Meredith. Upon termination of Stage 3, Stage 2 becomes operative if appropriate. The CRMWA will notify its wholesale customers and the media of the termination of Stage 3 in the same manner as the notification of initiation of Stage 1 of the Plan.

(d) Stage 4 – Emergency Water Shortage Conditions
Requirements for initiation - The CRMWA will recognize that an emergency water shortage condition exists when (1) a water line fails, or pump or system failures occur, which cause unprecedented loss of capability to provide water service; or (2) natural or man-made contamination of the water supply source occurs.
Requirements for termination - Stage 4 of the Plan may be rescinded when (1) repairs have been made and systems are operational or (2) contamination has been contained or eliminated. The CRMWA will notify its wholesale customers and the media of the termination of Stage 4.

Section VIII: Drought Response Stages
The General Manager, or Assistant General Manager, shall monitor water supply and/or demand conditions and, in accordance with the triggering criteria set forth in Section VI, shall determine that mild, moderate, or severe water shortage conditions exist or that an emergency condition exists and shall implement the following actions:

Stage 1 - Mild Water Shortage Conditions
1. Goal: achieve a 10 percent reduction in total water use.
2. Supply Management Measures: CRMWA has an alternate water source available. This is a well field with a firm supply of 40,000 acre-feet per year under normal conditions and up to 50,000 acre-feet per year in emergency conditions.
3. Demand Management Measures:
    (a) The General Manager, or Assistant General Manager will contact its Member Cities to
    discuss water supply and/or demand conditions and
    (b) The General Manager, or Assistant General Manager will request that Member Cities
    implement Stage 1 of the City's drought contingency plan.

Stage 2 - Moderate Water Shortage Conditions
1. Goal: achieve a 15 percent reduction in total water use.
2. Supply Management Measures: CRMWA has an alternate water source available. This is a well field with a firm supply of 40,000 acre-feet per year under normal conditions and up to 50,000 acre-feet per year in emergency conditions.
3. Demand Management Measures:
    (a) The General Manager, or Assistant General Manager, will initiate weekly contact with its
     Member Cities to discuss water supply and/or demand conditions.
    (b) The General Manager, or Assistant General Manager will request that its Member Cities
     implement Stage 2 of the City's drought contingency plan.

Stage 3 - Severe Water Shortage Conditions
1. Goal: achieve a 20 percent reduction in total water use.
2. Supply Management Measures: CRMWA has an alternate water source available. This is a well field with a firm supply of 40,000 acre-feet per year under normal conditions and up to 50,000 acre-feet per year in emergency conditions.
3. Demand Management Measures:
    (a) The General Manager, or Assistant General Manager, will initiate weekly contact with its
     Member Cities to discuss water supply and/or demand conditions
    (b) The General Manager, or Assistant General Manager, will request that its Member Cities
     implement Stage 3 of the City's drought contingency plan.

Stage 4 – Emergency Water Shortage Conditions
Whenever emergency water shortage conditions exist as defined in Section VII of the Plan, the General Manager, or Assistant General Manager shall:
1. Assess the severity of the problem and identify the actions needed and time required to solve the problem.
2. Inform the utility director or other responsible official of Member City by telephone or in person and suggest actions, as appropriate, to alleviate problems (e.g., notification of the public to reduce water use until service is restored).
3. If appropriate, notify city, county, and/or state emergency response officials for assistance.
4. Undertake necessary actions, including repairs and/or clean-up as needed.
5. Prepare a post-event assessment report on the incident and critique of emergency response procedures and actions.

Section IX: Pro Rata Water Allocation
In the event that the triggering criteria specified in Section VII of the Plan the General Manager, or Assistant General Manager is hereby authorized initiate allocation of water supplies on a pro rata basis in accordance with Texas Water Code Section 11.039 and according to the following water allocation policies and procedures:

(a) The Member City's annual allocation percentages will be based on contract allocations. The percentage of total contract allocations will be set by resolution of the CRMWA Board of Directors based on the General Manager's assessment of the severity of the water shortage condition and the need to curtail water diversions and/or deliveries and may be adjusted periodically by resolution of the Board of Directors as conditions warrant. Once pro rata allocation is in effect, water diversions by or deliveries to each Member City shall be limited to the allocation established for the year.
(b) The General Manager, or Assistant General Manager shall provide notice to each Member City informing them of their annual water usage allocations and shall notify the executive director of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission upon initiation of pro rata water allocation.
(c) The following provision will be included in every wholesale water supply contract entered into or renewed after official adoption of this plan, including any contract extension:
In case of shortage of water resulting from drought, the water to be distributed shall be divided in accordance with Texas Water code 11.039.

Section X: Enforcement
During any period when pro rata allocation of available water supplies is in effect, Member Cities will be strictly limited to allocated amounts. Service will be discontinued when annual allocations have been reached.

Section XI: Variances
The General Manager, or Assistant General Manager, with the approval of the Operating Committee of the Board of Directors, may, in writing, grant a temporary variance to the pro rata water allocation policies provided by this Plan if it is determined that failure to grant such variance would cause an emergency condition adversely affecting the public health, welfare, or safety and if one or more of the following conditions are met:

(a) Compliance with this Plan cannot be technically accomplished during the duration of the water supply shortage or other condition for which the Plan is in effect.
(b) Alternative methods can be implemented which will achieve the same level of reduction in water use.

Persons requesting an exemption from the provisions of this Plan shall file a petition for variance with the General Manager within 5 days after pro rata allocation has been invoked. All petitions for variances shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors, and shall include the following:

(a) Name and address of the petitioner(s).
            (b) Detailed statement with supporting data and information as to how the pro rata allocation
            of water under the policies and procedures established in the Plan adversely affects the
            petitioner or what damage or harm will occur to the petitioner or others if petitioner complies
            with this Ordinance.
            (c) Description of the relief requested.
            (d) Period of time for which the variance is sought.
            (e) Alternative measures the petitioner is taking or proposes to take to meet the intent of this
            Plan and the compliance date.
            (f) Other pertinent information.
Variances granted by the Board of Directors shall be subject to the following conditions, unless waived or modified by the Board of Directors or its designee:
            (a) Variances granted shall include a timetable for compliance.
            (b) Variances granted shall expire when the Plan is no longer in effect, unless the petitioner
             has failed to meet specified requirements.
No variance shall be retroactive or otherwise justify any violation of this Plan occurring prior to the issuance of the variance.

Section XII: Severability
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the Board of Directors that the sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, and phrases of this Plan are severable and, if any phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, or section of this Plan shall be declared unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs, and sections of this Plan, since the same would not have been enacted by the Board of Directors without the incorporation into this Plan of any such unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, or section.

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