§ 86.058. Implementation and termination of drought response stages.

The director shall monitor water supply conditions on a daily basis and provide information to the city manager. The director shall issue notices to implement or terminate drought response stages as follows:

(1)

Stage 1.

a.

Stage 1 shall be implemented when any one of the following conditions occur, or as otherwise determined by the director:

1.

The ten-day average aquifer level is less than 660 feet above mean sea level as measured at the J-17 index well; or

2.

The ten-day average discharge rate of San Marcos Springs is below 96 cfs as measured at the San Marcos gauging station; or

3.

The ten-day average discharge rate of Comal Springs is below 225 cfs as measured at the Comal gauging station.

b.

Stage 1 shall be terminated when the conditions in subsection (1) are no longer satisfied, or as otherwise determined by the director.

(2)

Stage 2.

a.

Stage 2 shall be implemented when any one of the following conditions occur, or as otherwise determined by the director:

1.

The ten-day average aquifer level is less than 650 feet above mean sea level as measured at the J-17 index well; or

2.

The ten-day average discharge rate of San Marcos Springs is below 80 cfs as measured at the San Marcos gauging station; or

3.

The ten-day average discharge rate of Comal Springs is below 200 cfs as measured at the Comal gauging station.

b.

Stage 2 shall be terminated when the conditions in subsection (1) are no longer satisfied, or as otherwise determined by the director.

(3)

Stage 3.

a.

Stage 3 shall be implemented when any one of the following conditions occur, or as otherwise determined by the director:

1.

The ten-day average aquifer level is less than 640 feet above mean sea level as measured at the J-17 index well; or

2.

The ten-day average discharge rate of San Marcos Springs is below 65 cfs as measured at the San Marcos gauging station; or

3.

The ten-day average discharge rate of Comal Springs is below 150 cfs as measured at the Comal gauging station.

b.

Stage 3 shall be terminated when the conditions in subsection (1) are no longer satisfied, or as otherwise determined by the director.

(4)

Stage 4.

a.

Stage 4 shall be implemented when any one of the following conditions occur, or as otherwise determined by the director:

1.

The ten-day average aquifer level is less than 630 feet above mean sea level as measured at the J-17 index well; or

2.

The ten-day average discharge rate of San Marcos Springs is below 55 cfs as measured at the San Marcos gauging station; or

3.

The ten-day average discharge rate of Comal Springs is below 100 cfs as measured at the Comal gauging station.

b.

Stage 4 shall be terminated when the conditions in subsection (1) are no longer satisfied, or as otherwise determined by the director.

(5)

Stage 5.

a.

Stage 5 shall be implemented when any one of the following conditions occur, or as otherwise determined by the director:

1.

The ten-day average aquifer level is less than 625 feet above mean sea level as measured at the J-17 index well; or

2.

The ten-day average discharge rate of San Marcos Springs is below 50 cfs as measured at the San Marcos gauging station; or

3.

The ten-day average discharge rate of Comal Springs is below 45 cfs, or the three-day average discharge is below 40 cfs as measured at the Comal gauging station.

b.

Stage 5 shall be terminated when the conditions in subsection (1) are no longer satisfied, or as otherwise determined by the director.

(6)

Water quality, water supply, distribution system or other emergency. Any stage may be implemented when a water quality, water supply, distribution system or other emergency exists as determined by the director. The stage will be terminated when the conditions which prompted initiation of the restrictions no longer exist.

(7)

Notice of implementation and termination of stages. Notices of implementation and termination of stages shall be posted on the city internet web site, broadcast on the city cable channel, released to public media outlets, and published in whole or in summary form in at least one newspaper of general circulation within the city.

( Ord. No. 2015-15, § 1, 4-21-15 )