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City of Bartlesville

Posted: Sep 28, 2023 3:19 PMUpdated: Sep 29, 2023 6:28 AM

Water Resources Committee Makes Ordinance Recommendations

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Nathan Thompson
The Bartlesville Water Resources Committee unanimously recommended several changes Thursday to the Water Shortage Ordinance, specifically addressing when swimming pools would be required to be closed, eliminating a proposed amendment that specifically targeted car wash business owners, setting new emergency water rates and establishing a new block of high-gallon users that would pay higher rates if a water emergency was declared.
 
The recommended ordinance would move mandatory public and privately-owned pool usage and closures from Stage 3 to Stage 4. However, if a pool is not already open when Stage 3 occurs, it would prohibit the filling of a pool during that stage.
 
Additionally, the committee recommended eliminating a proposed amendment that specifically targeted car washes to be closed. Instead, the committee recommended establishing a higher rate across the board for any water customer who uses more than 100,000 gallons per month.
 
The recommended ordinance also allows for the city manager to use a combined metric of total water supply and water rights availability, as well as setting daily usage goals for the entire community before implementing restrictions.
 
Mayor Dale Copeland says the meeting was extremely productive and good decisions were made for the recommendation. He thanked the committee but says more work on the ordinance may need to be done in the future.
 
The recommended changes will now be decided on by the City Council during their regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.
 
Here are the recommended ordinance modifications
  • Provides the City Manager flexibility to implement restrictions (except rate increases) based on an assessment of relevant circumstances (Overall water supply vs. water rights, just entered a stage, rain is forecasted in the near future, etc.).
  • Provides a list of exceptions to restrictions - water system flushing, fire fighting, use of water for construction, washing/sanitizing trash trucks and food equipment needed for public health, ability for a water customer to seek an exception based on health/well-being of the community.

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Stage 1 (Water supply between 80% - 70%)

  • Moved outdoor watering restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 1 (watering limited to 2 days per week). Also provided exceptions for hand watering and use of rain water of grey water.

 

Stage 2 (Water supply between 70% - 60%)

  • Added provision to prohibit car/boat/etc. washing outside of a vehicle wash facility.
  • Added provision to prohibit water use for testing of new water or wastewater facilities.
  • Increase emergency water rates for use above 10,000 gallons (still requires City Council action to implement the rates).
Stage 2 Emergency Water Rates
Usage (gallons) Adjustment on rates
0-2,000 100% of current rates
2,001-10,000 100% of current rates
10,001-25,000 115% of current rates
25,001-50,000 120% of current rates
50,001-100,000 125% of current rates
More than 100,001 New rates structure to be determined

 

Stage 3 (Water supply between 60% - 50%)

  • Outdoor watering reduced to 1 day per week.
  • Pools, spas and hot tubs (indoor and outdoor, public and private) allowed to remain open, if they were opened prior to reaching Stage 3. If they have not been opened yet, they must remain closed. No water may be added to pools, spas or hot tubs unless necessary to maintain the water purification system or structural integrity of the pool.
  • Increase water rates for water use above 2,000 gallons (requires City Council action).
Stage 3 Emergency Water Rates
Usage (gallons) Adjustment on rates
0-2,000 100% of current rates
2,001-10,000 105% of current rates
10,001-25,000 140% of current rates
25,001-50,000 145% of current rates
50,001-100,000 150% of current rates
More than 100,001 New rates structure to be determined

 

Stage 4 (Water supply below 50%

  • Complete ban on all outdoor watering, except rain water. use of grey water outdoors is prohibited.
  • Use of pools, spas, hot tubs (indoors and outdoors, public and private) is prohibited. All pools must be closed and drained.
  • Additional emergency water rates inacted (still requires City Council action).
Stage 4 Emergency Water Rates
Usage (gallons) Adjustment on rates
0-2,000 100% of current rates
2,001-10,000 110% of current rates
10,001-25,000 160% of current rates
25,001-50,000 165% of current rates
50,001-100,000 170% of current rates
More than 100,001 New rate structure to be determined

 


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