Drought Contingency
Drought is a frequent and inevitable factor in the climate of
Texas. Therefore, it is vital to plan for the effect that droughts
will have on the use, allocation and conservation of water in the
state.
Water utilities throughout Texas have enacted a variety of
measures to reduce peak demands and to extend their water supplies.
In some areas of the state, neighboring systems are coordinating
their drought response measures.
Because of the range of conditions that affected the more than
4,000 water utilities throughout the state in 1997, the Texas
Legislature directed the TCEQ to adopt rules establishing common
drought plan requirements for water suppliers. As a result, the
TCEQ requires all wholesale public water suppliers, retail public
water suppliers serving 3,300 connections or more, and irrigation
districts to submit drought contingency plans.
The TCEQ requires retail public water suppliers serving less
than 3,300 connections to prepare and adopt a drought contingency
plan and to make the plan available upon request.
Requirements and Submittal Deadline
The amended Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 288
became effective on January 10, 2008. The next revision of the
drought contingency plans for retail public water suppliers serving
3,300 or more connections, wholesale public water suppliers, and
irrigation districts must be submitted no later than May 1, 2009,
and every five years thereafter to coincide with the regional water
planning group process. Any new or revised plans must be submitted
to the TCEQ within 90 days of adoption by the governing body of the
entity.
For all retail public water suppliers serving less than 3,300
connections, the drought contingency plans must be prepared and
adopted no later than May 1, 2009, and shall be available for
inspection upon request.
The drought contingency plans required to be submitted to the
TCEQ should be mailed to the Resource Protection Team at the
following address:
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Resource Protection
Team, MC-160, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas, 78711-3087.
Investor-Owned Utilities
Privately-owned water suppliers, called investor-owned utilities
(IOUs), are required to complete a drought contingency plan and
amend the plan into their tariff. IOUs must submit a letter
requesting a tariff amendment with the Drought Contingency Plan
(TCEQ-20189)
Word or
PDF to the TCEQ by May 1, 2009.
What Contingency Plans Should Include
Each drought contingency plan for a retail water utility should
include:
- Specific, quantified targets for water use reductions (New
Requirement)
- Drought response stages
- Triggers to begin and end each stage
- Supply management measures
- Demand management measures
- Descriptions of drought indicators
- Notification procedures
- Enforcement procedures
- Procedures for granting exceptions
- Public input to the plan
- Ongoing public education
- Adoption of plan
- Coordination with regional water planning group
Texas Administrative Code Title 30, Chapter 288, Subchapter B
Model Drought Contingency Plans
The TCEQ has prepared model drought contingency plans for
wholesale and retail public water suppliers, irrigation districts,
water supply corporations, and IOUs. You can receive a print copy
of the model plan by calling 512/239-4691, or by e-mail to wras@tceq.state.tx.us.
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