Council rezones 27.5 acres on FM 902 for BVRT II's planned sewer plant and adopts backflow rules that allow water shutoffs

Two ordinances the Howe City Council approved Tuesday night are now signed and posted on the city's website: one clearing the way for a private sewer company's treatment plant on FM 902, the other spelling out what happens to water customers who do not get their backflow devices tested.

Both carry Mayor Karla McDonald's signature and an approval date of Oct. 20. The city has not yet posted minutes showing how council members voted.

Ordinance 859: manufacturing zoning on FM 902

The council changed the zoning on 27.532 acres at 540 W. FM 902 from SF-1, the single-family district, to M-2, the manufacturing district. The ordinance identifies the land as Grayson Central Appraisal District property 130789, listed under Silver Mount Holdings LLC.

In an Oct. 13 memo in the council packet, City Administrator Monte Walker wrote that BVRT-II's water resource recovery facility is to be located on West FM 902, that the land the company bought there was zoned SF-1, and that it asked for M-2 zoning so it could run the treatment plant. Staff recommended approval.

Ordinance 860: backflow testing and shutoffs

The second ordinance repeals and replaces Ordinance 754, the city's earlier backflow rules. A backflow device keeps water from a property's plumbing or sprinkler system from flowing back into the public supply.

Walker's memo said the city's tracking vendor, SC Tracking Solutions, had reported 98 customers out of compliance. Under the adopted ordinance:

Customers must have their assemblies inspected and tested every year at their own expense, and testers must file results electronically through SC Tracking Solutions, or another system the city names, within five days.
If a customer does not get a test done, the city may hire a licensed contractor to do it and bill the customer for the cost plus any authorized administrative charge.
The city may suspend water service with 24 hours' notice for failing to show proof of the yearly test, failing to report through the tracking system, or blocking access to the devices, among other violations. A customer can ask the city in writing to reconsider.
Service is restored only after an inspection, proof that any problem has been fixed, proof of the yearly test and payment of reconnection costs.
In an emergency that threatens the water supply or public health, the city may cut service without prior notice.

The ordinance also requires a city permit to install or change a lawn irrigation system, with exemptions for agricultural operations, on-site sewage systems and systems tied to a private household well. If the city fee schedule sets no permit fee, the ordinance sets an initial fee of $50.

Violations carry a fine of up to $500, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.

Both ordinances take effect after publication, as the ordinances require.

Sources

cityofhowetx.gov

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