Stage 3: Drought Emergency Triggers
By: KFDX
Updated: January 14, 2013
A Drought Emergency shall be declared when:
1) The combined storage level of Lakes Kickapoo and Arrowhead drops to 40% of the total conservation pool storage capacity, or
2) Demand exceeds design capacity for 4 weeks (or exceeds design capacity by 115%, or 3) the water supply system is unable to deliver water due to mechanical failure or damage of major water system components which will require more than 24 hours to repair, if a Drought Warning is in progress.
Reduction Goals - Stage 3
When a Drought Emergency is declared; action will be taken to reduce the current net withdrawal from reservoirs by an additional 20% or more (with the 15% reduction from Stage 2, that will make a Total of 35% reduction.)
2013 Rain Accumulation
In 2011 the City only had 12.97" of rain which is 15.5" below normal, combined with a record number of days over 100 degrees, the two in combination decimated the water supply.
In 2012 was a little better, but we were still 8.73" below normal rainfall.
We were fortunate to enter the drought with our supply lakes near capacity, which has sustained us up to this point, however if 2013 is similar to 2011 with record low rainfall and record high temps our supply will not last long.
Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan
The WCDCP has four stages each with a specific set of triggers and responses for the City and citizens to follow. These stages have been adopted by the City Council to clearly communicate the state of water supplies in the area and the need to conserve water resources.
Purpose
The purpose of the Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan is as follows:
To protect and preserve public health, welfare and safety
To maintain supplies for domestic water use, sanitation and fire protection
To minimize the adverse impacts of water supply shortages
To conserve the available water supply in times of drought and emergency
To minimize the adverse impacts of emergency water supply conditions
Plan Priorities
During the planning portions of Stages 2, 3 and 4 the following system priorities will be established and utilized in the decision making processes during drought conditions. Those users with the highest priority will be the last to have their water use restricted. The system priority is as follows:
1. Hospitals and essential Health Care Facilities
2. Residential
3. Educational Institutions
4. Industrial
5. Commercial
6. Irrigation
7. Recreational
More information about Drought Stages 1-4 can be found here: http://tx-wichitafalls.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=1257
