Outside City Water Policy

A Policy Restricting New Water System Development and Connections Outside the City of Warrenton

July 25, 2023

The Warrenton City Public Works adopts the following findings:

WHEREAS, the City of Warrenton operates a municipal water system and utility serving homes and businesses inside and outside the City of Warrenton; and

WHEREAS, the City s Water Utility operates under the rules and regulations codified in Chapter 13.04 (WATER DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS) of the Warrenton Municipal Code; and

WHEREAS, the City's supply of potable water is limited/ and the City is nearing the planned capacity of its water supply and utility. Without measures to conserve and increase the current municipal water system capacity/ peak water demand in the City will exceed the City s water supply and system capacity during the times of year when the supply is most limited; and

WHEREAS, the City completed a Water Master Plan dated July 2018, the water master plan states actual water flow in the Lewis and Clark River may be less than the 8.2 cfs of developed water rights during summer months/ and by 2037, the maximum day demand (MDD) will be just under the 8.2 cfs estimated available water rights, and the City should evaluate the adequacy of its water rights and source of supply as the regulatory review process proceeds; and

WHEREAS, until the City has determined measures for increasing water system capacity/ implemented these measures, and generated additional water system capacity/ the City desires to preserve system capacity for in City expansion; and

WHEREAS, the City is aware of demand for housing and development outside the City that may be the subject of development proposals in the future. If approved, these developments could significantly increase water system demand by creating new connections that would reduce the available future in-city connections; and

WHEREAS, utility Code Section 13.04.090.D states the following: The water department may furnish surplus water which would not affect the City s supply to areas outside the City {0085U805;1 }boundaries/ and charge the rates currently in force. Furnishing of water shall be conditioned by terms of a contract drawn for this service; and

WHEREAS, the City has determined that the City does not have any legal obligation to provide water service outside of its Jurisdictional boundary; and

WHEREAS, the City may disallow new water system development and water system connections outside City limits to prevent impacts to the City s water system capacity.

NOW THEREFORE, based on the foregoing findings/ Public Works resolves as follows:

1. No New Water Connections. Public Works will not approve any new water system development or new water system connections outside City Limits which application is applied for after the effective date of this Policy. The City shall not accept, process/ or approve any application for new water system developments or water connections that entail one or more new water system connections.

2. No Expansion of Water Use. Public Works will not allow an existing customer to expand its use of an existing water meter located outside City Limits. Expansion of use could include/ change of use/ change of occupancy/ substantial remodels/ increased occupancy load/ increased water service connections within an existing development or City, and other situations that could increase water demand from an existing customer.

3. Exceptions to Policy. The following shall be exempt from this Policy:

a. Development of one single family home on an existing lot created prior to the date of this Policy. An existing water main of sufficient size must abut the proposed lot. No water main extensions will be allowed to provide service to this single-family home. Water availability applications must detail how the single-family home will incorporate and employ water conservation measures.

b. Projects not associated with a development, that will increase capacity and/or system resilience.

c. New connections and expansions of use made pursuant to existing agreements and existing wholesale water agreements (City of Warrenton MOU)/ as those agreements may be modified from time to time with approval of the City Commission.

4. Policy Duration. This Policy shall remain in effect until such time as water capacity has increased or other alternative methods of service may be provided/ at which time this policy may be terminated.