DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT: Council Consideration Request - Permanent Stage 1 Water Restrictions
SUMMARY:
On August 24, 2015, Councilman Nirenberg submitted a Council Consideration Request (CCR), requesting consideration of making Stage 1 water restrictions, defined in Chapter 34 of the Municipal Code, year round practice under normal conditions.
BACKGROUND:
Specific water use reduction measures are outlined in Chapter 34 of the San Antonio Municipal Code. Current Stage 1 water restrictions are declared when the 10-day rolling average of the Edward Aquifer level drops to 660 feet mean sea level (msl) at the J-17 Bexar index well. The San Antonio Municipal Code gives City Council the authority to determine additional restrictions on water use not based on water levels at J-17. City Council may declare that other aquifer, water resource, seasonal, or weather conditions warrant additional restrictions for all water uses.
ISSUE:
Staff recognizes the importance of water conservation in long-term water security. Staff will assess the CCR request with coordination from the Office of Public Utilities, Office of Sustainability, Planning Department, and San Antonio Water System (SAWS) to develop a recommendation.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends moving this item to the Transportation, Technology, and Utilities Committee.