(a) A drought contingency plan for a wholesale water supplier must include the following minimum elements.
  (1) Preparation of the plan shall include provisions to actively inform the public and to affirmatively provide opportunity for user input in the preparation of the plan and for informing wholesale customers about the plan. Such acts may include, but are not limited to, having a public meeting at a time and location convenient to the public and providing written notice to the public concerning the proposed plan and meeting.
  (2) The drought contingency plan must document coordination with the regional water planning groups for the service area of the wholesale public water supplier to ensure consistency with the appropriate approved regional water plans.
  (3) The drought contingency plan must include a description of the information to be monitored by the water supplier and specific criteria for the initiation and termination of drought response stages, accompanied by an explanation of the rationale or basis for such triggering criteria.
  (4) The drought contingency plan must include a minimum of three drought or emergency response stages providing for the implementation of measures in response to water supply conditions during a repeat of the drought-of-record.
  (5) The drought contingency plan must include the procedures to be followed for the initiation or termination of drought response stages, including procedures for notification of wholesale customers regarding the initiation or termination of drought response stages.
  (6) The drought contingency plan must include specific, quantified targets for water use reductions to be achieved during periods of water shortage and drought. The entity preparing the plan shall establish the targets. The goals established by the entity under this paragraph are not enforceable.
  (7) The drought contingency plan must include the specific water supply or water demand management measures to be implemented during each stage of the plan including, but not limited to, the following:
    (A) pro rata curtailment of water deliveries to or diversions by wholesale water customers as provided in Texas Water Code, §11.039; and
    (B) utilization of alternative water sources with the prior approval of the executive director as appropriate (e.g., interconnection with another water system, temporary use of a non-municipal water supply, use of reclaimed water for non-potable purposes, etc.).
  (8) The drought contingency plan must include a provision in every wholesale water contract entered into or renewed after adoption of the plan, including contract extensions, that in case of a shortage of water resulting from drought, the water to be distributed shall be divided in accordance with Texas Water Code, §11.039.
  (9) The drought contingency plan must include procedures for granting variances to the plan.
  (10) The drought contingency plan must include procedures for the enforcement of any mandatory water use restrictions including specification of penalties (e.g., liquidated damages, water rate surcharges, discontinuation of service) for violations of such restrictions.
(b) The wholesale public water supplier shall notify the executive director within five business days of the implementation of any mandatory provisions of the drought contingency plan.
(c) The wholesale public water supplier shall review and update, as appropriate, the drought contingency plan, at least every five years, based on new or updated information, such as adoption or revision of the regional water plan.

Source Note: The provisions of this §288.22 adopted to be effective February 21, 1999, 24 TexReg 949; amended to be effective April 27, 2000, 25 TexReg 3544; amended to be effective October 7, 2004, 29 TexReg 9384