For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CUSTOMER. Any person using water from the city's water distribution system and for which either a regular charge is made or, in the case of bulk sales, a cash charge is made at the site of delivery.
OTHER SOURCES OF WATER. Water that has not been introduced by the city into its water distribution system.
RAW WATER SUPPLIES. All water potentially available to persons in the city and its service area.
TREATED WATER. Water that has been introduced by the city into its water distribution system, including water offered for sale. Uses of TREATED WATER are classified as follows:
(1) ESSENTIAL WATER USES (CLASS 1). The following uses of water, listed by site or user type, are essential:
(a) Domestic: water necessary to sustain human life and the lives of domestic pets, and to maintain minimum standards of hygiene and sanitation;
(b) Health care facilities: patient care and rehabilitation, including related filling and operation of swimming pools;
(c) Water hauling: sales for domestic use where not reasonably available elsewhere; and
(d) Public use: fighting fires, health and public protection purposes, if specifically approved by health officials and the appropriate municipal governing body.
(2) SOCIALLY OR ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT USES OF WATER (CLASS 2). The following uses of water, listed by site or user type, are socially or economically important:
(a) Domestic: personal, in-house water use including kitchen, bathroom and laundry;
(b) Water-hauling: nondomestic, where other sources are not reasonably available;
(c) Commercial and civic use: commercial car and truck washes, laundromats, restaurants, clubs and eating places, schools, churches, motels/hotels and similar commercial establishments;
(d) Outdoor noncommercial watering:
1. Minimal watering of vegetable gardens; and
2. Minimal watering of trees where necessary to preserve them.
(e) Outdoor commercial or public watering: (using conservation methods and when other sources of water are not available or feasible to use):
1. Agricultural irrigation for the production of food and fiber or the maintenance of livestock;
2. Watering by arboretums and public gardens of national, state, regional or community significance where necessary to preserve specimens;
3. Watering by commercial nurseries at a minimum level necessary to maintain stock;
4. Watering at a minimum rate necessary to establish or maintain vegetation or landscape plantings required pursuant to law or regulation;
5. Watering of woody plants where necessary to preserve them; and
6. Minimal watering of golf course greens.
(f) Recreational: operation of municipal swimming pools and residential pools serving more than 25 dwelling units; and
(g) Air conditioning:
1. Refilling for startup at the beginning of the cooling season;
2. Makeup of water during the cooling season; and
3. Refilling specifically approved by health officials and the municipal governing body, where the system has been drained for health protection or repair services.
(3) NON-ESSENTIAL USES OF WATER (CLASS 3). Any waste of water, as defined herein, is non-essential. In addition, the following uses of water, listed by site or user type, are non-essential:
(a) Public use:
1. Use of fire hydrants (excluding Class 1 and Class 2 uses), including use of sprinkler caps, testing fire apparatus and fire department drills; and
2. Flushing of sewers and hydrants except as needed to ensure public health and safety as approved by health officials and the municipal governing body.
(b) Commercial and civic use:
1. Serving water in restaurants, clubs or eating places, except by customer request;
2. Failure to repair a controllable leak due to defective plumbing; and
3. Increasing water levels in scenic and recreational ponds and lakes, except for the minimum amount required for sustaining fish and wildlife.
(c) Ornamental purposes: fountains, reflecting pools and artificial waterfalls;
(d) Outdoor watering:
1. Use of water for dirt control or compaction;
2. Watering of annual or non-woody plants, lawns, parks, golf course fairways, playing fields and other recreational areas, washing sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts or other hard-surface areas;
3. Washing down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection; and
4. Flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street.
(e) Outdoor commercial or public watering:
1. Expanding nursery facilities, placing new irrigated agricultural land in production, or planting of landscaping except when required by a site design review process;
2. Use of water for dirt control or compaction;
3. Watering of lawns, parks, golf course fairways, playing fields and other recreational areas;
4. Washing sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts or other hard-surface areas;
5. Washing down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection; and
6. Flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street.
(f) Recreational uses other than those specified as Class 2: noncommercial washing of motor and other vehicles; and
(g) Air conditioning (see also Class 2 purposes): refilling cooling towers after draining.
WASTE OF WATER. Includes, but is not limited to:
(1) Permitting water to escape down a gutter, ditch or other surface drain; or
(2) Failure to repair a controllable leak of water due to defective plumbing.
WATER SHORTAGE RESPONSE PHASES:
(1) ADVISORY. Conditions exist which indicate the potential of serious water supply shortages.
(2) ALERT. Raw water supplies are consistently below seasonal averages, and if they continue to decline, may not be adequate to meet normal needs. If demands are higher than normal for a constant period of time, supplies may not be adequate to meet normal needs.
(3) EMERGENCY. Water supplies are below the level necessary to meet normal needs and that serious shortages exist in the area.
(2000 Code, § 13-73)