This chapter provides basic requirements and prohibitions for connection to and use of water resources in the City of Banks and regulates the operations of the Banks Water Department. The following shall govern the basic operation of the city’s water utility and the provision of water service:
(A) The Water Department and all customers receiving service from the Water Department, whether inside or outside the city limits, are bound by these rules and regulations for the operation of the Water Department of the city.
(B) The City of Banks will not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin requesting water service from the City of Banks.
(C) Any time a new or replacement structure or an expansion of an existing structure on property within the City requires a new or expanded water source, the property owner shall connect the structure to the public water system at the owner’s expense.
(D) No new water system connection is allowed unless the customer first demonstrates that the city’s water system has sufficient capacity to supply a sufficient quantity of water to serve the new use or structure, and the city consents in writing to the connection.
(E) It is unlawful for any person, corporate entity or property owner to drill, construct or install a new ground water well within the city’s corporate boundaries or within the city’s urban growth area.
(F) It is unlawful for any person, corporate entity or property owner to take water from the public water system of the city without prior authorization or without obtaining the proper permits and payment of appropriate fees and charges.
(G) It is unlawful for any person, corporate entity or property owner to waste or allow the waste of city water by knowingly or negligently causing, authorizing or permitting water in excess of the reasonable volume necessary for a beneficial use to escape from its intended beneficial use. For the purpose of this section: “beneficial use” means the lawful, reasonable and efficient use of water.
(H) The City of Banks hereby adopts a policy favoring the use of xeric low water demand landscaping, plants and plantings in all private and public development projects and whenever a homeowner installs or changes a lawn or landscaping.
(Ord. 2018-10-01, passed 12-11-2018) Penalty, see § 50.99