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(A) In the event the customer's private water system becomes contaminated or polluted, the customer shall notify the Town Water Resources Department immediately.
(B) In the event a customer has reason to believe that a backflow situation has occurred between the customer's private water system and the public water system, the customer must notify the Water Resources Department immediately, in order that appropriate measures may be taken to isolate and remove the contamination or pollution.
(Ord. 02-03-21, passed 11-12-02) Penalty, see § 51.99
WATER SHORTAGE RESPONSE PLAN
(A) When conditions dictate, the Town Public Works and Utilities Director, upon notification by the Town Distribution and Collections Superintendent and under direction of the Town Manager, shall implement a Water Shortage Response Plan. Conditions, which may require the Plan to be enacted, are outlined in § 51.71.
(B) Contact Information.
Ayden Town Manager 252-746-7030
Public Works and Utilities Director 252-746-7081
(Ord. 05-06-22, passed 12-12-05; Am. Ord. 09-10-25, passed 6-14-10)
(A) Several parameters will require the town to begin the Response Plan. The primary parameter is when the Neuse Regional Water and Sewer Authority (NRWSA) declares a water shortage. If this occurs, the town will do so as well. When both organizations are under a declared shortage, the Public Works and Utilities Director will communicate frequently with NRWSA staff and follow their determining factors. Other factors include, but are not limited to, significant reduction in well water levels, a significant increase in the average pump run times for predetermined total flows at the wells, contaminants in the water system and/or water main breaks.
(B) If the determining factors causing the implementation of the Water Shortage Response Plan are related to well water levels or pump run times, certain tiers will be enacted in the following order:
(1) Tier I: Enacted if a 20% reduction in normal well water levels is noted or if pump run times increase 20% in order to maintain previous rates.
(2) Tier II: Enacted if a 40% reduction in normal well water levels is noted or if pump run times increase 40% in order to maintain previous rates.
(3) Tier III: Enacted if a 60% reduction in normal well water levels is noted or if pump run times increase 60% in order to maintain previous rates.
(Ord. 05-06-22, passed 12-12-05; Am. Ord. 09-10-25, passed 6-14-10)
In order to facilitate a fair and equitable Response Plan, every water use will be grouped into one of three classifications:
(A) Class I: Essential Water Uses. These uses include, but may not be limited to, water use required to/for:
(1) Sustain human life and the lives of domestic pets.
(2) Maintain minimum standards of hygiene and sanitation.
(3) Health care uses necessary for patient care and rehabilitation.
(4) Firefighting, including training and drills as approved by the Town Manager.
(B) Class II: Socially or Economically Important Water Uses. These uses include, but may not be limited, to water use required to/for:
(1) Preserve commercial vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, nursery stock and livestock maintenance.
(2) Outdoor commercial watering, public or private, using conservation measures.
(3) Establish vegetation, using minimal amounts, after construction/earth moving activities (only allowed in areas required by law or regulation).
(4) Filling and operation of municipal swimming pools and private pools that serve 25 or more residences.
(5) Operate commercial care washes, restaurants, laundromats, clubs, schools, churches, and similar commercial establishments.
(C) Class III: Non-essential Water Uses. These uses include, but may not be limited to, water use required to:
(1) Operate fountains, ornamental pools and recreational swimming pools that serve fewer than 25 residents.
(2) Non-commercially wash motor vehicles, sidewalks, and the like.
(3) Non-commercially water gardens, lawns, parks, playing fields and recreational areas.
(Ord. 05-06-22, passed 12-12-05; Am. Ord. 09-10-25, passed 6-14-10)
When the Water Shortage Response Plan is implemented, it may be in a phased process as outlined below:
(A) Phase I: Voluntary Conservation.
(1) This phase will be enacted when it is determined that one or more of the parameters outlined in § 51.71 is met. If this occurs, the consumers will be notified promptly by any or all of the following: mailers, door hangers, postings on the town’s web site (www.ayden.com), local news media, public postings at the Town Hall, Post Office, and the like. During this Phase, the public will be asked to begin voluntary conservation measures by following the recommended conservation methods that will be made available by the above listed notification avenues.
(2) If the determining parameter(s) return to seasonal norms, the measures will be lifted. However, failure of the determining parameter(s) to return to a state of seasonal normalcy may require the initiation of Phase II.
(3) During Phase I, industrial facilities will be required to submit to the Town Public Works and Utilities Director a water shortage response program. This program should include methods that will allow the facilities to reduce their water usage by 25%.
(B) Phase II: Mandatory.
(1) This phase will begin when the Town Public Works and Utilities Director issues a water shortage advisory. Consumers will be notified by one or all of the methods noted in Phase I. All users will be required to adhere to the voluntary conservation measures as noted in Phase I. Class III uses will be banned. Class II uses will allowed although outdoor vegetative watering will be limited according to the resident’s street address. Even numbered addresses will be allowed to water on even days of the month. Odd numbered addresses will be allowed to water on odd days of the month. Allowable times for watering will be limited to the hours between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
(2) Failure to adhere to required conditions will result in a written notice of violation for the first offense and/or a $50 fine. Thereafter, the town may impose a fine of $50 per violation for the second and third offense. A fourth offense will result in a $250 fine. Further offenses may require the offending party to have his or her water service disrupted.
(3) During Phase II industrial users will be required to evaluate their Water Shortage Response Plan with the town’s Public Works and Utilities Director as it relates to their 25% reduction goal.
(4) If Phase II action fails to alleviate the water shortage, the town will enter into the third and final phase.
(C) Phase III: Emergency.
(1) This phase will commence with the issuance of a water shortage emergency declaration from the Town Manager. Users will be notified by any or all of the methods noted in Phase I. All users will be required to uses voluntary conservation measures outlined in Phase I. Class III uses will be banned and Class II uses will be allowed although commercial vegetative watering (i.e. nurseries, livestock and the like) may be further reduced.
(2) Industrial users will be required to implement their water reduction program immediately.
(3) Failure to comply with mandates during Phase III will require the offending party to pay a $100 fine for the first offense, a $350 fine for the second offense and the disruption of water service for the third offense.
(4) In addition, residential users will be allotted 1,000 gallons per month per bedroom per structure. If the user uses 1,001 - 1,250 gallons per month per bedroom a surcharge of 25% will be added to the monthly water bill. If the user consumes 1,251 - 1,500 gallons per month per bedroom a surcharge of 75% will be added to the monthly water bill. If the user consumes any amount in excess of 1,501 gallons per month per bedroom a surcharge of 150% will be added to the monthly water bill.
(5) Commercial, industrial and institutional facilities will be required to reduce their monthly water consumption by 25% of the previous 12-month water consumption average to maintain the current water rate for that month. The average water use can be evaluated on an individual basis for facilities with seasonal water demand fluctuations. A 10 - 24% water use reduction from the previous 12-month water use average will require the town to impose a 25% surcharge on the monthly water bill. A 0 - 9% water use reduction from the previous 12-month water uses average will require the town to impose a 50% surcharge on the monthly water bill. An increase of 1 - 25% above the previous 12-month water use average will result in a surcharge of 100% on the monthly water bill. Any amount used above 25% of the previous 12-month average water bill. Any amount used above 25% of the previous 12-month average water use will require a monthly water bill surcharge of 150%.
(Ord. 05-06-22, passed 12-12-05; Am. Ord. 09-10-25, passed 6-14-10)
Enforcement of mandatory conservation and associated fines will be the responsibility of the Public Works and Utilities Director under direction of the Town Manager. Failure to pay penalties accrued under the Water Shortage Response Plan will lead to the disruption of water service.
(Ord. 05-06-22, passed 12-12-05; Am. Ord. 09-10-25, passed 6-14-10)
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