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Kerrville staff propose broad revisions to utility code, new 'water conservation' norms
Summary
City staff outlined changes to Chapter 110 of the Code of Ordinances that would shift fees to a central schedule, require water-availability studies for annexations, restrict new well drilling, formalize reclaimed-water responsibilities and move the city toward once‑a‑week irrigation and a permanent conservation “new normal.”
Kerrville utilities staff presented proposed revisions to Chapter 110 of the city Code of Ordinances and a draft Water Management Plan that would formalize year‑round conservation measures, change drought‑stage naming and tighten requirements for development and irrigation.
The presentation, given by Mr. Barrera, a utilities staff member, covered six articles in Chapter 110 and identified key additions: removing water‑main extension language where Chapter 82 (the subdivision code) already covers it; moving ordinance fees to a fee schedule; adding a water availability study requirement for properties seeking annexation or service within the city's Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN); new limits on drilling private wells that could threaten the city system; and clearer responsibilities for users of Type 1 reclaimed water systems.
Staff said the city will present the ordinance for a first reading in March and provide a full redline version for council review before that. Mr. Barrera said the water‑availability study requirement responds to recently adopted statutory or regulatory language, which he referenced as “Senate Bills 2440 and TAC 230” in the meeting. He said the study would show how much water a property will provide and be used to calculate the number of homes allowed when properties seek annexation or service within the CCN.
Staff described several draft conservation measures in the water management plan. Those measures include switching automated irrigation systems to once‑a‑week watering (scheduled by address last digit rather than weekend schedules), creating a winter conservation period (December–February) with no automatic watering, restricting irrigation of “nonfunctional” landscaped areas during higher drought stages, and developing drought‑surcharges or tiered surcharges for excess use. Mr. Barrera summarized the proposed change to irrigation frequency: “So recommend going to a once a week,” and said removing weekend watering would improve enforceability.
Council members discussed whether to relabel drought stages or describe the baseline as a “new normal” conservation level rather than a drought stage. Councilmember McKinney said two recent summers felt like “the new normal.” Several council members urged simple, clear naming and stronger enforcement. One council member said enforcement after prior Stage 3 declarations felt insufficient, noting continued visible daily irrigation even during restrictions.
Staff also recommended removing fee text from multiple sections (1‑10‑34 through 1‑10‑53) so fees are set only in a centralized fee schedule; clarifying licensing and regulation of water wells (1‑10‑54); and refining rules for reclaimed water users so responsibilities of the system owner and the city are explicit. Mr. Barrera noted Article 5 (natural gas pipelines) was scheduled for a second reading but proposed for omission; the session did not record a council vote on that omission.
Why this matters: the proposed code changes and water management plan would change how developers demonstrate water supply, alter routine irrigation for thousands of accounts and create new enforcement triggers. Utilities staff signaled that the city will return with a redline ordinance for council review and a technical memorandum from HDR on water‑supply options later in the calendar year.
Council direction and staff next steps: staff said they will produce a full redline ordinance for first reading in March and coordinate with finance and legal on drought surcharges and fee‑schedule changes. Staff also said HDR is under contract to develop water‑supply options and will return with a technical memorandum and top recommended options (staff listed remote well field, reverse osmosis and “direct to tap” as options under study) expected in July.
The presentation included comparisons with neighboring cities’ conservation practices and a note tying the changes to the city’s comprehensive plan action item to “implement a strong water conservation plan and include additional conservation measures and programs.”
The workshop portion of the meeting ended with Council providing general guidance — favoring clarity and enforceability — and staff agreeing to return with draft ordinance language and supply‑planning analysis.
