(A) General requirements. The city shall not be liable for any deficiency or failure in the supply of water to consumers, whether occasioned by shutting water off for the purpose of making repairs or connections or from any other cause whatsoever. In case of fire, or alarm of fire, or in making repairs or construction of new works, water may be shut off at such time and kept off as long as necessary. In addition, the City Council or City Administrator shall have the right to impose reasonable restrictions on the use of the city water system in emergency situations.
(B) Irrigation and sprinkling restrictions. The following irrigation and sprinkling restrictions shall apply to the use of the municipal water supply system. This does not apply to those persons who are irrigating and sprinkling from a private well.
(1) Cross-connections prohibited. No person shall construct, cause to be constructed or operate any device which provides a cross connection between the municipal water supply and a private well or the sewer system.
(2) Waste of water prohibited.
(a) Customers shall maintain taps, faucets, valves, and other water facilities so that water waste is eliminated from seeps, dripping faucets, and the like.
(b) No person shall waste water deliberately by allowing irrigation or sprinkling water to run off onto the street or into the drains.
(3) Permission to use hydrant. No person shall open, close or tamper with any fire hydrant except under the authorization of Braham Public Works Department or, in case of fire or emergency, authorization of the Braham Fire Department.
(4) Odd-even day sprinkling. Sprinkling will be curtailed from May 1 through August 31. Even numbered addresses can sprinkle only on even numbered calendar days. Odd numbered addresses can sprinkle only on odd numbered calendar days.
(5) Prohibited hours. There shall be no sprinkling in the City of Braham by either even or odd numbered addresses, from the city water system, between the hours of 12:00 noon and 6:00 p.m.
(6) Penalty. Violations of these watering restrictions carry a $50 fine per day of violation, which shall be collected on the customer's water bill. Unpaid fines may be collected as an assessment to the customer's property taxes, per Minnesota law.
(7) Exemptions.
(a) Newly sodded or seeded yards will be exempt from the odd-even restriction for a period of six weeks only. Over seeding or spot patching of existing established yards can be watered every day with a hand-controlled hose. No watering will be allowed between 12:00 noon and 6:00 p.m.
(b) Car washing, filling of children's swimming pools, and children playing with a hose operated sprinkler or water toy are exempt from these restrictions.
(8) Additional restrictions.
(a) Additional restrictions on the use of water during periods of dry weather may be enacted by order of the City Administrator by publication in the official newspaper of the city. When restricted, no person shall water for the purpose of watering lawns, shrubs, trees, washing cars or structures. All unnecessary use of water is prohibited for the duration of the imposed restriction.
(b) If more drastic restrictions are necessary, orders may be issued by the City Administrator to take necessary action to protect the water system so that ample water may be available for health, sanitation, and fire protection.
(Ord. 295, passed 2-1-2022)