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City of Bartlesville
Posted: Oct 02, 2023 9:23 PMUpdated: Oct 02, 2023 9:27 PM
City Council Approves Amended Water Shortage Ordinance
Nathan Thompson
The Bartlesville City Council voted 4-1 Monday night to amend the Water Shortage Ordinance. The amendments specifically address when all swimming pools would be required to be closed, set new emergency water rates and establish a new block of high-gallon users that would pay higher rates if a water emergency was declared.
The amended ordinance adjusts some outdoor watering restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 1 and moves 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 opening or filling pools.
The new ordinance also established a higher rate across the board for any water customer who uses more than 100,000 gallons per month during a water emergency. All rate increases would need the approval of City Council.
The city manager will now be empowered to use a combined metric of total water supply and water rights availability, as well as daily usage goals for the entire community before implementing restrictions.
Mayor Dale Copeland says tough choices were made, but it was because lessons were learned when the water shortage ordinance was used for the very first time this year.
The lone dissenting vote was from Ward 2 City Councilor Loren Rozel. He says his concerns were over the private pool closures and the higher water rates in each stage.
Here are the 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.
Stage 1 (Water supply between 80% - 75% and weighted water rights supply is below 95%)
- If overall water supply is between 80% and 75%, and the weighted water supply based on rights is below 95%, a public awareness campaign to promote water conservation is established.
Stage 1 (Water supply between 74.9% - 70% and wighted water rights supply is below 95%
- Moved outdoor watering restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 1 (watering limited to 2 days per week). Also provided exceptions for hand watering using a hose, use of rain water of grey water.
Stage 2 (Water supply between 70% - 60% and weighted water rights supply is below 85%)
- NOTE: If the community as a whole is able to reduce water usage to below 5.5 million gallons per day, the restrictions do not apply.
- 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).
| 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 | 150% of current rates |
Stage 3 (Water supply between 60% - 50% and weighted water rights supply is below 75%)
- NOTE: If the community as a whole is able to reduce water usage to below 4.75 million gallons, the restrictions do not apply.
- Outdoor watering reduced to 1 day per week. Hand watering using a hose, grey water, or rain water is still permitted.
- 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).
| 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 | 175% of current rates |
Stage 4 (Water supply below 50% and weighted water rights supply is below 65%)
- NOTE: If the community as a whole is able to reduce water usage to below 4.25 million gallons per day, the restrictions do not apply.
- 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 enacted (still requires City Council action).
| 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 |
200% of current rates |
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