Subd. 1. Purpose. This section establishes water conservation restrictions; and the plan will be in effect at any time the Governor declares by executive order a critical water deficiency, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 103G.291.
Subd. 2. Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
A. CLERK. The person assigned duties pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 412.151; or the City Manager pursuant to Minn. Stat. §§ 412.601—412.751 or in charter cities as determined by city charter.
B. DEPARTMENT. The city water department (Austin Utilities).
C. EMERGENCY. The declaration of a critical water deficiency by the Governor.
D. IRRIGATION. The watering of shrubs, trees, sod, seeded areas, gardens, lawns, or any other outdoor vegetation, except outdoor vegetation utilized for agricultural purposes.
E. NOTIFICATION TO PUBLIC. Notification through local media, including interviews and issuance of news releases.
F. PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIER. The city (Austin Utilities) or other entity that owns, manages, or operates a public water supply, as defined in Minn. Stat. § 144.382, Subd. 4.
G. RECLAIMED WATER. Water collected from rooftops, paved surfaces, or other collection devices and all water utilized more than once before re-entering the natural water cycle.
H. WATER RECIRCULATION SYSTEM. Any system which enables a user to reuse water at least once prior to returning the water to the natural water cycle.
Subd. 3. Application.
A. This section applies to all customers of public water suppliers who own or control water use on any premises.
B. No person shall make, cause, use, or permit the use of water received from a public water supply for residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, or any other purpose in any manner contrary to any provision in this section.
C. Mandatory emergency conservation measures shall be implemented based upon the declaration of a critical water emergency by the Governor.
Subd. 4. Declaration of critical water deficiency. Upon the declaration of a critical water deficiency by the governor, the public water supplier shall immediately post notice of the emergency declaration at the usual meeting place of the City Council, the Austin Utilities Board of Commissioners or the official city bulletin board. The Austin Utilities shall provide notification to the public as quickly as possible or through established water supply plans, emergency response plans or procedures.
Subd. 5. Mandatory emergency water conservation measures. Upon declaration of a water emergency and notification to the public, the following mandatory restrictions upon nonessential water use shall be enforced:
A. Outdoor irrigation of yards, gardens, golf courses, parklands, and other non-agricultural land, except for those areas irrigated with reclaimed water, is prohibited.
B. Washing or spraying of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios, or other paved areas with water from any pressurized source, including garden hoses, except to alleviate immediate health or safety hazards, is prohibited.
C. The outdoor use of any water-based play apparatus connected to a pressurized source is prohibited.
D. Restaurants and other food service establishments are prohibited from serving water to their customers, unless water is specifically requested by the customer.
E. Operation of outdoor misting systems used to cool public areas is prohibited.
F. The filling of swimming pools, fountains, spas, or other exterior water features is prohibited.
G. The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, and other types of mobile equipment is prohibited, except at facilities equipped with wash water recirculation systems, and for vehicles requiring frequent washing to protect public health, safety, and welfare.
Subd. 6. Variances. The Austin Utilities general manager or their designee, is authorized to grant variances to this section where strict application of its provisions would result in serious hardship to a customer. A variance may be granted only for reasons involving health or safety. An applicant may appeal the denial of a variance within five days of the decision by submitting a written appeal to the general manager. The Austin Utilities Board of Commissioners shall hear the appeal at the next Board of Commissioners meeting. The decision of the Austin Utilities Board of Commissioners is final.
Subd. 7. Violations.
A. Violations shall be determined and cited by the City Clerk or his/her designee. A violator may appeal the citation within five days of its issuance by submitting a written appeal to the city. The City Council shall hear the appeal at the next City Council meeting. The decision of the City Council is final. Violators may be granted an administrative waiver if evidence is provided that equipment failure was the cause of the violation. A letter from a qualified vendor or equipment invoice will be required to show proof of equipment failure.
B. Upon discovery of a first violation, the violator shall be issued, either personally or by mail, a warning letter that sets forth the violation and which shall describe the remedy and fines for future violations. The fine for violations shall be in accordance with the city's administrative fine schedule as adopted by resolution.
C. Upon subsequent violations at the same location, the violator shall be issued, either personally or by mail, a citation that sets forth the violation and shall describe the remedy. Fines shall be added to the monthly water bill of the owner or current occupant of the premises where the violation occurred. The imposition of the fine shall in no way limit the right of the city to pursue other legal remedies.
Subd. 8. Enforcement. The City Clerk or his/her designee is authorized to designate city employees or law enforcement personnel to enforce the provisions of this section.
(Ord. 655, passed 2-20-18)