Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 5/4/2021 - Memorandum From Abbye Neel And Mariel Miller And Alice Conovitz Re: Notice Of Voluntary Water Shortage Watch Effective April 29, 2021 Utilities electric · stormwater · wastewater · water 222 Laporte Ave. PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 970.212.2900 V/TDD: 711 utilities@fcgov.com fcgov.com/utilities M E M O R A N D U M DATE: April 26, 2021 TO: Mayor Jeni Arndt and Councilmembers FROM: Abbye Neel, Interim Water Conservation Manager Mariel Miller, Water Conservation Specialist Alice Conovitz, Water Conservation Data Analyst THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager Kelly DiMartino, Deputy City Manager Theresa Conner, Interim Utilities Executive Director Gretchen Stanford, Interim Utilities Deputy Director, Customer Connections RE: Notice of Voluntary Water Shortage Watch Effective April 29, 2021. Bottom Line: The City Manager signed a Declaration and Order (attached) April 21 for a voluntary Water Shortage Watch, effective April 29, pursuant to Fort Collins City Code Section 26-167(a) and the Water Shortage Action Plan (WSAP). Background: As the weather warms up and we enter runoff and thunderstorm season, we are likely to see sediment and ash from the Cameron Peak Fire flow into the Cache la Poudre River. Because of this, Fort Collins Utilities may experience temporary periods when Poudre River water supplies are unavailable. These source water limitations, in addition to irrigation demands during what is projected to be a hot and dry summer, have the potential to create a water shortage. To prepare for this potential, the Water Shortage Action Committee, a staff group that monitors supply and demand conditions, recommended a voluntary Water Shortage Watch to promote community awareness and help prepare for mandatory water restrictions if necessary due to changing conditions. Water Board indicated support for a Water Shortage Watch at their March 18 meeting. Together, We Can Make a Difference: Staff launched an extensive public Water Shortage Watch communication effort that includes information about post-wildfire watershed recovery activities and monitoring. Key messages include the importance of taking voluntary actions now to reduce water use, which helps protect our water supplies and lower the chance of mandatory water restrictions later on. A comprehensive list of voluntary water-saving actions and frequently asked questions is at fcgov.com/water-restrictions. The public can stay updated on the status of our water quality and supply at fcgov.com/water-status. Staff continue to 1) share information and identify collaboration opportunities with local and regional providers on both water shortage and watershed recovery efforts and 2) monitor water quality and work to improve future water availability by pursuing watershed recovery actions and associated funding opportunities. A watch will continue until no longer needed and is anticipated to be lifted by the end of the irrigation season. If conditions worsen, the city manager may issue mandatory water restrictions at a later time. CC: Mark Kempton, Interim Utilities Deputy Director, Water Resources and Treatment Liesel Hans, Interim Utilities Deputy Director, Water Resources and Treatment Eric Potyondy, Assistant City Attorney Utilities electric · stormwater · wastewater · water 700 Wood Street PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6700 970.221.6619 fax V/TDD: 711 utilities@fcgov.com fcgov.com/utilities Declaration and Order of a Voluntary Water Shortage Watch for Fort Collins Utilities Water Customers The City Manager of the City of Fort Collins hereby makes this Declaration and Order of Voluntary Water Shortage Watch for Fort Collins Utilities Water Customers Order ursuant to Fort Collins City Code Section 26-167(a) and the Water Shortage Action The voluntary actions described in this Order shall be effective starting on _____________, 2021 and will remain in effect until lifted by order of the City Manager, anticipated by the end of the 2021 irrigation season. Upon determination that a Watch is no longer needed or that conditions have worsened, the City Manager will declare the end of the Watch and issue another order lifting the Watch, or publish another order indicating the need for mandatory water restrictions following WSAP Action Level I-IV, pursuant to Fort Collins City Code Section 26-167(a). Projected Water Shortage and Necessity of Voluntary, Water Shortage Watch are high during what is projected to be a hot and dry summer. The Cameron Peak Fire began Aug. 13, 2020 and burned 208,913 acres to become the largest wildfire in Colorado history. Much of the burn area is within the Poudre River watershed, with extensive burn areas adjacent to source water infrastructure for Utilities and surrounding communities, including Chambers Lake, Joe Wright Reservoir, and the Michigan Ditch. As a result of the fire, water quality may be impacted during times of spring run-off and other precipitation events in 2021. Utilities anticipates intermittent and temporary timeframes when Poudre River water supplies will be untreatable and treated water will be supplied solely from water source Horsetooth Reservoir. Voluntary, Water Shortage Watch for Utilities Water Customers Voluntary measures and awareness of the potential for a shortage is needed for Utilities water customers in order to prepare for potential water use restrictions while monitoring of water supply conditions continues. The following voluntary water use restrictions shall apply for the duration of this Order. They are based on the Water Shortage Watch Action Level from the WSAP, which involves voluntary restrictions based on Action Level I mandatory actions or best practices and will promote awareness while staff continuing to monitor the given situation. These actions may provide for water shortage mitigation and avoid or defer mandatory restrictions. Water Shortage Watch Voluntary Action Indoor Use Reductions (best practices, make reductions where possible) Landscape Water Use Lawn Watering week Non-Watering Hours No watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Number of Lawn Watering Days per Week Limit to two days per week Sprinkler System Maintenance Minimize test run times per zone Trees Limit watering to two days per week and not between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and by hand, drip system or deep root fork or needle at any time Food Production Limit watering to two days per week and not between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and by hand or by drip system at any time Other Landscapes Limit watering to two days per week and not between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and by hand or by drip system at any time Non-Landscape Water Use Residential Vehicle Washing Must use shutoff nozzle City of Fort Collins Fleet Vehicle Washing As needed Dealership Vehicle Washing As needed Spraying Impervious Surfaces Whenever possible deploy dry methods first Dust Control Measures for Dust Generating Activities Whenever possible use alternative (non-water) dust control measures, Dust Prevention and Control Manual Street Sweeping No more than normal operating schedule and essential street sweeping. Whenever possible, deploy dry methods first Hydrant Flushing and Testing No more than normal operating schedule and critical situations Water Features Turn off water feature Splash Parks Operate system to maximize water reuse while maintaining water quality Community Outdoor Swimming Pools Use pool cover and backwash system if exists Individual Outdoor Swimming Pools and Recreational Water Toys Use pool cover and backwash system if exists. Limit use by setting a spigot timer on the hose Misting Devices Limit use to only when temperatures are extreme and misted areas are occupied Enforcement Residential fines per violation Not Applicable Business fines per violation Not Applicable Water Rate Adjustments Adjust water rates to encourage additional conservation No adjustment Approved: ________________________________ Darin Atteberry, City Manager