HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2007-177 adopting the revised drought preparedness planMARANA RESOLUTION N0.2007-177
RELATING TO UTILITIES; ADOPTING THE REVISED TOWN OF MARANA DROUGHT
PREPAREDNESS PLAN
WHEREAS Arizona is in the midst of a prolonged drought that has various impacts on our
envronment,~specifically regarding water supplies in Southern Arizona; and
WHEREAS the Arizona Deparhnent of Water Resources required all water providers to have
a drought preparedness plan completed and in place by January 2007; and
WHEREAS the Marana Drought Preparedness Plan was adopted on November 14, 2006 by
Resolution No. 2006-184; and
WHEREAS the Marana Water Department has been working with members of the Water
Conservation Alliance of Southern Arizona (CASA) to revise the Drought Preparedness Plan so that
it is similar to those adopted by other local jurisdictions, to harmonize drought stage declarations and
conservation measures; and
WHEREAS the Mayor and Council find that it is more appropriate for the Revised Town
Drought Preparedness Plan to use the Arizona Drought Monitor Program, Monitoring Technical
Committee to determine the different stages of drought responses instead of the Climate
Assessment Project for the Southwest (Climas); and
WHEREAS the Mayor and Council find that language in the Plan relating to Stage 4 drought
should properly be conformed to A.R.S. § 9-463.06 relating to moratorium adoption; and
WHEREAS the Mayor and Council find that the drought responses and measures set forth in
the Revised Town of Marana Drought Preparedness Plan are in the best interests of the Town and its
citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF MARANA, ARIZONA, that the Revised Town of Marana Drought Preparedness Plan,
attached to and incorporated in this resolution as Exhibit A is hereby adopted, and the various Town
officers and employees are authorized and directed to carry out the terms of this resolution.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
MARANA, ARIZONA, this 16th day of October, 2007.
~~ ~~
-~i'
Ed Hon~a, Mayor
ATTEST:
o elyn ronson, Town Clerk
GOFtF~ F,~
Revised Drought Plan Reso 2007-177 2 10/5/2007 I :26 PM APM/FC
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
REVISED TOWN OF MARANA DROUGHT PREPAREDNESS PLAN
Arizona is in the midst of a prolonged drought that has various impacts on our environment.
Specifically regarding water supplies in Southern Arizona, the drought does not immediately
equate to water shortage. We are not running out of water. In fact, the Town of Marana
(Marana) has a 100-year assured water supply designation from the State of Arizona.
Additionally, Marana has been steadily working toward the use of renewable supplies rather than
relying solely on our groundwater.
The Arizona Department of Water Resources requires that all water providers are to have a
Drought Preparedness Plan by January 2007. While no water shortage exists, no one knows how
long the current drought might last. Some climatologists are predicting that we are in a 20- to
30-year drought cycle; therefore, Marana feels it is important to have a Drought Preparedness
Plan in place that can respond to a reduction of our available water supply due to a drought.
Marana's Drought Preparedness Plan includes measures initiated based on the severity of the
drought response. In the early stages of drought Marana will rely on its customers to voluntarily
comply with requests for water reduction. Marana can also implement a drought surcharge to its
rates, limit potable water for construction uses, and in the most severe drought response stage
begin statutory process to adopt a moratorium on new water consuming uses. The main focus of
Marana's Drought Preparedness Plan is to continue its overall objective of sound water
management. A primary tool is the current cooperation with Oro Valley, Metro Water District,
and Flowing Wells Irrigation District to develop a Northwest Area Renewable Supply Treatment
and Distribution System. By directly using Central Arizona Project water, our groundwater well
levels will be able to recover and then our wells can serve as a backup to the renewable supplies.
Marana has decided to use information from the Arizona Drought Monitor (ADM) which brings
together researchers who study the processes and effects of climate on the Southwest region with
individuals and organizations who need climate information to make informed decisions. The
Monitoring Technical Committee (MTC) gathers drought, climate, and weather data and
disseminates the information to land managers, policy-makers, and the public. The MTC
determines drought conditions based on monitoring data, tracks changes in weather and physical
conditions, forecasts likely future conditions, and provides early detection of changes in drought
severity. The MTC will also assess local area impact assessment information provided by
citizens throughout the state. The project's mission is to improve the ability of the region to
respond sufficiently and appropriately to climatic events and climate changes. The MTC aims to
foster participatory, iterative research involving researchers, decision makers, resource users, and
others who need more and better information about climate and its impacts. MTC also provides
a focal point for identifying and serving the information needs of stakeholders at the local, state,
national, and international levels.
Marana's Drought Preparedness Plan includes four stages in response to the impacts of a drought
on our available water supply, which currently is primarily groundwater. The stage then
determines which measures are initiated. The stages are determined when any two triggers are
present. 1. Arizona Drought Monitor percent of average precipitation for the water year, 2.
Arizona Drought Monitor, 3.Annual decline of the overall groundwater levels and 4. The
number of consecutive days over 100 degrees.
Stage One (Moderate) is initiated when any two of the triggers are present. 1. Arizona Drought
Monitor percent of precipitation for the water year is 70% to 90% of normal. 2. Arizona
Drought Monitor is D-2: severe drought. 3. The annual decline of the overall groundwater level
is between 1.0 feet to 2.4 feet. 4. Over 45 consecutive days of 100 degrees. In Stage One,
Marana will increase customer awareness about the drought and water resources through
education. Additionally, Marana will work with Pima County to put in place ordinances that
strengthen Southern Arizona's conservation ethic. Marana will work with its neighboring water
providers to look at cooperative efforts that include providing emergency backup as well as joint
conservation efforts. Most importantly, Marana will continue its overall water management
efforts to use renewable water supplies. In effect, Marana has been doing all of Stage One
measures the last few years.
Stage Two (Abnormally Dry) is initiated when any two of the triggers are present. 1. Arizona
Drought Monitor percent of precipitation for the water year is 50% to 70% of normal. 2.
Arizona Drought Monitor is D-3: extreme drought. 3. The annual decline of the overall
groundwater level is between 2.5 feet to 3.9 feet. 4. Over 60 consecutive days of 100 degrees.
In Stage Two, Marana requests customers to limit landscape irrigation to two days per week
between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. as well as avoid other outdoor water uses; for example, hosing
down walkways and washing vehicles without a bucket and hose with a positive cutoff nozzle.
Hotels and restaurants will be asked to initiate industry green measures for conserving water,
such as providing water only on request and washing sheets and towels only if requested. Under
Stage Two, all of the measures of Stage One will also continue.
Stage Three (Emergency) is initiated when any two of the triggers are present. 1. Arizona
Drought Monitor percent of precipitation for the water year is 25% to 50% of normal. 2.
Arizona Drought Monitor is D-4: exceptional. 3. The annual decline of the overall groundwater
level is between 4.0 feet to 4.9 feet. 4. Over 75 consecutive days of 100 degrees. In Stage
Three, Marana will not permit the use of potable water for construction including dust control;
reclaimed water will need to be used instead. Marana will consider instituting a drought
surcharge to Tier 5 of the rate structure. Additional voluntary water reduction measures will be
requested from customers including the limiting of landscape irrigation to one day per week
between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. In addition to avoiding outdoor water uses, customers will be
asked not to empty or fill their pools. The other measures of Stage One and Stage Two will
continue to be in place.
Stage Four (Crisis) is initiated when any two of the triggers are present. 1. Arizona Drought
Monitor percent of precipitation for the water year is 25% of normal. 2. Arizona Drought
Monitor is D-4: exceptional. 3. The annual decline of the overall groundwater level is 5.0 feet or
more. 4. Over 90 consecutive days of 100 degrees. Under Stage Four, Marana will begin the
process set forth in Arizona Revised Statues section 9-463.06 to consider adopting a moratorium
on the issuance of permits and approvals for new water-consuming uses and activities. Marana
will consider instituting a drought surcharge to Tier 3 and Tier 4 of the rate structure in addition
to the one for Tier 5. No potable water will be used for construction. Customers will be
requested to limit landscape irrigation ONLY to trees and shrubs one day per week between 8:00
p.m. and 8:00 a.m. and no irrigation of turf or ground covers. Other previous measures will
continue to be in place.
REVISED TOWN OF P/IARANA DROUGHT PREPAREDNESS PLAN
Drou ht Res onses Measures
Stage 1 -Moderate • Increase Customers Awareness through Education
Arizona Drought Monitor % . Work with County to put Ordinances in place
average precipitation . Continue Overall Water Management Efforts to Use
for water year 70% - 90% Renewable Water Supplies
Arizona Drought Monitor D-2 . Work with Neighboring Water Providers
Overall Groundwater Levels
1.0' - 2.4' annual decline
Over 45 consecutive days of
100 degrees
Stage 2 -Abnormally Dry • Request Voluntary Water Reduction Measures
Arizona Drought Monitor % -Limit Landscape Irrigation to 2 days per week between
average precipitation 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
for water year 50% - 70% -Hotels and Restaurants will be asked to conserve water.
Arizona Drought Monitor D-3 -Avoid other outdoor water uses including misters and car
Overall Groundwater Levels washes
2.5' - 3.9' annual decline . Continue to work with County to Ordinances in place
Over 60 consecutive days of • Continue Overall Water Management Efforts to Use
100 degrees Renewable Water Supplies
• Work with Nei borin Water Providers
Stage 3 -Extreme • No Potable Water for Construction
Arizona Drought Monitor % • Institute Drought Surcharge to Tier 5 of the Rate Structure
average precipitation . Request Additional Voluntary Water Reduction Measures
for water year 25% - 50% -Limit Landscape Irrigation to 1 day per week between 8:00
Arizona Drought Monitor D-4 p.m, and 8:00 a.m.
Overall Groundwater Levels -Pools not be filled
4.0' - 4.9' annual decline • Continue to work with County to put Ordinances in place
Over 75 consecutive days of . Continue Overall Water Management Efforts to Use
100 degrees Renewable Water Supplies
• Work with Nei borin Water Providers
Stage 4 -Severe • Begin statutory process to adopt moratorium on new water-
Arizona Drought Monitor % consuming uses.
average precipitation • Institute Drought Surcharge to Tier 3 and 4 of the Rate
for water year less than 25% Structure in addition to Tier 5
Arizona Drought Monitor D-4 • No Potable Water for Construction
Overall Groundwater Levels
' • Request Additional Voluntary Water Reduction Measures
5.0
and more annual decline -Limit Landscape Irrigation ONLY to trees and shrubs 1 day
Over 90 consecutive days of per week between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
100 degrees - No irrigation of turf or ground covers
• Continue to work with County to put Ordinances in place
• Continue Overall Water Management Efforts to Use
Renewable Water Supplies
• Work with Neighboring Water Providers