The City of Shawnee Drought Management Plan Updated July 2012 Return to the Water/Wastewater Page

As Citizens of the City of Shawnee, we must be constantly aware of our water needs and that there are times when it is necessary to conserve water. Prudent use of this essential natural resource is the responsibility of every citizen. We must all take voluntary steps to conserve our water than this must be reinforced each summer when the need for water becomes the greatest.

Many people believe that the changes involved with water conservation will somehow diminish their lifestyle. Following are some actions that we can take individually to conserve and reduce our water needs and expense. Many are simple onetime adjustments. Others involve simple changes in habits:

• One can save about three gallons of water if the water is not allowed to run when brushing teeth or shaving.

• Low-flow devices placed in faucets and showers can save two to three gallons of water for each minute of use.

• Running the washing machine with a full load will save thirty gallons of water each time a small load was held.

• Prudent water of plants and lawns is another example. Watering during the heat of the day is wasteful and detrimental to lawns. Allowing water to run off lawns into the street not only wastes this precious resource, but causes pavement to deteriorate as well.

• For more tips read the Every Drop Counts Brochure in PDF format

Water conservation actions must be inherent in our daily lives with added emphasis during the summertime so that we voluntarily utilize only the potable water necessary for our daily needs.

In addition to the above voluntary conservations measures, the following is established as the conservation plan for the City of Shawnee as established:

"If a shortage occurs in the city water system, the city manager is authorized and directed to declare an emergency. The city manager is authorized to issue a proclamation proclaiming such an emergency and establishing the level of water usage restrictions as follows:"

It is important to be constantly aware of water needs and understand that there are times when it is necessary to conserve water. Prudent use of this essential natural resource is the responsibility of every citizen. We must all take voluntary steps to conserve our water and this must be reinforced each summer, when the need for water becomes the greatest. Voluntary restrictions begin when either Twin Lakes or Wes Watkins reach an elevation of 1064 feet. At Elevation 1064, 46% storage remaining = 19,825 AcFt = 6,459,976,250 Gal. At 3.5 mgd* use that would be 1,845 days supply. *million gallons per day Voluntary restrictions include the following: Turn off the tap while shaving or brushing teeth. Showers use less water than baths. Plug up the sink or use a wash basin if washing dishes by hand. Use a dishwasher, and, when you do, make sure it is fully loaded. Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water gets cool. Wash only full loads of laundry or use appropriate water level or load size selection on washing machine. When replacing fixtures, look for water saving features.

Level 1 Mandatory Restrictions begin when Twin Lakes reaches an elevation of 1058 feet and/or the average weekly water treatment plant production exceeds 6.0 mgd. It is assumed that Wes Watkins remains at an elevation of 1062 feet. Mandatory restrictions include the following: Residential, other than household purposes: Outside water usage restricted to 6:00 pm to 10:00 am on the odd/even system defined as odd‐numbered houses utilizing water on Monday and Thursday and even‐numbered houses utilizing water on Tuesday and Friday during the above hours. Commercial: Outside water usage restricted in the same manner as residential customers. At Elevation 1058, 29% storage remaining = 12,527 AcFt = 4,081,922,950 Gal. At 3.5 mgd* use that would be 1,166 days supply. *million gallons per day

Level 2 Mandatory Restrictions begin when Twin Lakes reaches an elevation of 1057 feet and/or the average weekly water treatment plant production exceeds 6.5 mgd. It is assumed that Wes Watkins remains at an elevation of 1062 feet. Mandatory restrictions include the following: Residential, other than household purposes: Outside water usage restricted to 6:00 pm to 10:00 am on the odd/even system defined as odd‐numbered houses utilizing water on Monday and even‐numbered houses utilizing water on Tuesday during the above hours. Commercial: Users are required to reduce water usage by 10 percent as compared to the previous year's usage figures. At Elevation 1057, 27% storage remaining = 11,691 AcFt = 3,809,512,350 Gal. At 3.5 mgd* use that would be 1,088 days supply. *million gallons per day Note, during Level 2 Mandatory Restrictions, it may be necessary to make withdrawals from the Wes Watkins recreational pool, after receiving appropriate approvals.

Level 3 Mandatory Restrictions begin when Twin Lakes reaches an elevation of 1056 feet and the average weekly water treatment plant production exceeds 4.0 mgd. Mandatory restrictions include the following: Residential, other than household purposes: Outside water usage restricted to 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the odd/even system defined as odd‐numbered houses utilizing water on Monday and even‐numbered houses utilizing water on Friday during the above hours. Water usage is limited to watering shrubs and young trees only. Commercial: Users required to reduce water usage by 15 percent as compared to the previous year's usage figures. Other: Lawn watering, refilling or adding water to public and private swimming pools and automobile washing forbidden. At Elevation 1056, 25% storage remaining = 10,902 AcFt = 3,552,416,700 Gal. At 3.5 mgd* use that would be 1,015 days supply. *million gallons per day; the calculation assumes that Wes Watkins remains at elevation 1062 feet Note, during Level 3 Mandatory Restrictions, it may be necessary to make withdrawals from the Wes Watkins recreational pool, after receiving appropriate approvals.

Level 4 Mandatory Restrictions begin when Twin Lakes reaches an elevation of 1055 feet and the average weekly WTP production exceeds 3.5 mgd. Alternative triggers are when Twin Lakes reaches an elevation of 1054 feet and/or the average weekly water treatment plant production exceeds 3.0 mgd. Mandatory restrictions include the following: Residential, other than household purposes: There will be no usage authorized, other than for household purposes. Commercial: Users required to reduce water usage by 25 percent as compared to the previous year's usage figures. Other: Lawn watering, refilling or adding water to public and private swimming pools and automobile washing forbidden. At Elevation 1055, 23% storage remaining = 10,160 AcFt = 3,310,636,000 Gal. At 3.5 mgd* use that would be 946 days supply. *million gallons per day; the calculation assumes that Wes Watkins remains at elevation 1062 feet Note, during Level 4 Mandatory Restrictions, it may be necessary to make withdrawals from the Wes Watkins recreational pool, after receiving appropriate approvals.

The City Code, Section 26‐67 (b) (4), provides for penalties for violation of a proclamation proclaiming a water emergency:

Any person violating any provision of the proclamation, upon conviction, shall be fined as follows:

(i) First Violation ‐ Warning

(ii) Second Violation ‐ $150.00 fine plus costs

(iii) Third Violation ‐ $250.00 fine plus costs

(iv) Fourth and Subsequent Violation ‐ $500.00 fine plus costs

In addition to such penalties, the water, sewer, and garbage services furnished by the City to such person who violates any of the provisions of such proclamation shall be subject to suspension summarily and without notice.