Staff outlines drought management plan, design-standard changes and AWS-tied water reuse project

Utilities staff presented a block of items at the May 15 work session, telling the board a DEQ permit condition required the county to adopt a drought management plan and outlining proposed changes to design standards and a countywide water-reuse project tied to data center proffers.

"Last year, when the Lake Mooney withdrawal permit was reissued by DEQ, they did require the drought management plan as a provision in the permit," John (last name unclear in the transcript), a utilities staff member, told the board. Staff said the plan largely mirrors existing county code but updates the trigger conditions (using days of available water in the reservoirs and DEQ drought declarations). The plan outlines escalating stages from voluntary commercial and residential reductions to mandatory restrictions and an emergency stage that would restrict use to essential human consumption and health…