To: Aaron Rector, City Manager
From: Alonzo Liñán, P.E., Director of Public Works
Subject:
Title
Consider an ordinance amending the City of Keller Code of Ordinances, Chapter 19, Water and Sewers, Article XIV, Water Conservation and Drought Contingency, Section 19-1605, Lawn and Landscape Irrigation Restrictions for the City of Keller.
Action Requested:
Approve an ordinance amending the City of Keller Code of Ordinances, Chapter 19, Article XIV, Section 19-1600 to replace in their entirety the current Water Conservation Plan and the Drought Contingency and Emergency Water Management Plan with updated Plans.
Background:
This ordinance amendment expands the offense section of our Water Conservation & Drought Contingency code to include failing to repair private plumbing system, an irrigation system, a pool system, or a fire line/fire protection system. Currently, the city has no authority to encourage the repair of private water systems that have failed (like a broken line) and is wasting water.
Chapter 19, Article XIV, Section 19-1605 the Keller Code of Ordinances is falls within the larger framework of the Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency & Emergency Water Management Plan, updated in May 2024. The proposed change expands on what it means to commit an offense (paragraph f).
The paragraph currently describes and offense as an irrigation system with a “broken or missing sprinkler head” or an irrigation system that “has not been properly maintained in a manner that prevents the waste of water”. The proposed change would expand the offence description to include “failing to repair private plumbing system, an irrigation system, a pool system, or a fire line/fire protection system that has not been properly maintained in a manner that prevents the waste of water.” The proposed change also combines the offences described in sub paraph(s) (f)(1) and (f)(2) into the offence description and are therefore removed.
Additionally, the title of Section 19-1605 is recommended to be changed from “Lawn and landscape Irrigation Restrictions” to “Irrigation & Water System Requirements” to better reflect the inclusion of other private plumbing systems, swimming pools and fire protection systems.
The recommended text changes are as follows.
Amend From:
Sec. 19-1605. - Lawn and Landscape Irrigation Restrictions
…
(f) A person commits an offense if, on premises owned, leased, or managed by that person, a person operates a lawn or landscape irrigation system, or device that:
(1) Has any missing sprinkler head or broken parts; or
(2) Has not been properly maintained in a manner that prevents the waste of water.
Amend To:
Sec. 19-1605. - Irrigation & Water System Requirements
…
(f) A person commits an offense if, on premises owned, leased, or managed by that person, a person operates a lawn or landscape irrigation system, a pool system, or private plumbing system, or a fire line/fire protection system or device that has not been properly maintained in a manner that prevents the waste of water.
What remains unchanged is that except in extreme drought or emergency conditions, hand watering, drip irrigation and the use of soaker hoses is exempt from these restrictions and that the penalty remains at $500 per day of violation.
Financial Impact:
N/A
Citizen Input/Board Review:
Citizens are able to provide input through Persons to be Heard.
Legal Review:
The City Attorney has reviewed the proposed Amendment.
Alternatives:
City Council has the following alternatives:
- Approve as submitted
- Approve with changes
- Denial