Memo
To: David Corliss
From:
CC:
Date: 7/11/2006
Re: Water Demand Information
Provided below is information concerning water service delivery issues, status of relevant facility improvements and drought/conservation contingency plans.
Water Service Issues / Status of Improvements
· Water Treatment production was 100 million gallons more in June 2006 than in any previous June. That was an average of 18.25 MGD. For the first two days of July, we are averaging 23.75 MGD.
· The record water demand for raw and finished water on the same day occurred in August 2000 with a finished water demand of 25.2 million gallons per day (mgd) and raw water of 27.4 mgd. This was a period when KU was in session and the City experienced prolonged high temperatures without rain.
·
The first phase expansion at the Clinton Plant
completed in 2002 increased the system rated capacity (raw water for both
plants) to approximately 31.5 mgd under normal operating conditions.
· The maximum day water demands for the City have not reached the projected levels provided in the Master Plan prior to this year. This could be weather dependent or the base demands have not increased as projected in the plan (or a combination of both conditions). The 2006 Master Plan projection is approximately 31 mgd.
·
Phase II of the Clinton Water Treatment Plant is
underway with engineering and anticipated construction completion is summer
2008. The improvements will increase the
· Engineering work at the Kaw plant is underway to evaluate improvements to the intake system to increase the capacity during periods of low water levels in the river. Improvements are anticipated prior to Summer 2007.
Drought Contingency Plans
Hot and dry weather conditions can lead to issues
associated with water supply shortages or increased irrigation demands that
utilize the capacity of the water system.
Water supply shortages typically occur as a prolonged drought does not
replenish the reservoirs in the supply system and abnormal rainfall impacts
soil moisture. The water supply system
for the City of
The City is a member
of the Kansas River Water Assurance District which provides storage capacity in
the reservoirs to reduce the possibility of water supply shortages in the event
of dry periods. The storage in the
reservoir is allocated to the major Cities along the
(http://www.kwo.org/Reports%20&%20Publications/Drought/Drought_op_plan.pdf)
The second condition creating potential issues is the capacity of the water system to meet the higher irrigation demands during hot and dry weather and the potential of mechanical failures that may reduce the capacity of the system to supply the high demands. This situation occurred in 2000 when the extended hot and dry conditions increased the water demands to the capacity of the treatment plants. A voluntary reduction by the large water users prevented the implementation of the Water Supply Ordinance. Provided below are general Department guidelines during periods of hot and dry weather that would be used if the water system capacity became a problem.
· A Water Watch is implemented when demands reach 85 to 90 % of the capacity for a significant time period. The intent is to prepare our customers of a potential problem and ask for wise water use during the time period. Staff will meet with the larger water irrigators and Wholesale customers to inform of the situation.
· A Water Warning occurs when demands reach 90 to 95 % of the capacity for 2 consecutive days and it is apparent that no rainfall is in the immediate forecast. Increased effort in public education with the media of a potential to implement mandatory water rationing if the demands do not stabilize or have a slight reduction. At this time, Utility Department staff would meet a second time with the large water irrigators to ask for voluntary curtailment of irrigation. The City experienced this situation in 2000 and provided an increased effort to notify and educate the customers of the situation. This effort did improve the conditions at that time. Attached is a copy of one of the News Releases during this time period.
· A Water Emergency occurs if the voluntary curtailment does not stabilize or reduce the demands within two or three days of the initial contacts to the water customers.
· A Water Emergency requires the implementation of Ordinance 7130 to declare a water emergency. This declaration provides for the implementation of voluntary and mandatory water conservation measures throughout the City as outlined in Chapter 19, Article 10 of the City Code (see attached copy).
Please review and let me know of additional information or explanation concerning this topic.