(A) The Utility Department will develop a Water Shortage and Drought Management Plan. This Plan shall be reviewed at least annually and updated as needed, and more frequently if required. Adherence to the Plan’s consideration requirements will be conditions of water service for all water customers both inside and outside the Town. The Plan shall include the following elements:
(1) Water shortage declarations. Annually, the Utility Department shall monitor projected water shortages by determining on or before October 1 the amount of water projected to be available to Town customers for the upcoming year divided by the projected customer water demand. The quotient of such division shall be the water shortage percentage. Such determination may occur more frequently if the Utility Department determines that water availability requires more frequent determinations.
(2) Response stages. The Utility Department shall use the water shortage percentage to recommend to the Town Council a response stage that includes recommended remedial steps required by the Water Shortage Drought Management Plan. Following the Town Council’s review and approval of such recommended response stage remedial measures, the Mayor shall announce such remedial measures and direct that such remedial measures be posted on the Town website.
(3) Voluntary remedial measures, Stages Zero and One of the Water Shortage Drought Master Plan. The Water Shortage Drought Management Plan shall include voluntary measures such as but not limited to: education and outreach; cessation of outdoor hose surface washing and misting systems; emptying unused fountains and pools; reduced frequency of vehicle washing; reduced outdoor watering frequency; and other voluntary measures as set forth in the Water Shortage Drought Management Plan. Response Stages Zero and One also include continued compliance with the tiered water rates established pursuant to § 52.406.
(4) Involuntary remedial measures.
(a) Stage Two of the Water Shortage Drought Master Plan. The Water Shortage Drought Management Plan shall include the voluntary measures implemented under Stages Zero and One and involuntary measures under Stage Two as set forth in the Water Shortage Drought Master Plan that are further adopted by a resolution of the Town Council such as but not limited to: initiating water shortage surcharges pursuant to §§ 52.406 and 52.999; mandating limited outdoor landscape watering up to no more than twice per week during certain hours during summer months and once per week during non- summer months; prohibiting outdoor misting; prohibiting outdoor hose washing; and prohibiting ornamental water fountains.
(b) Stage Three of the Water Shortage Drought Master Plan. The Water Shortage Drought Management Plan shall include the voluntary and involuntary measures implemented under Stages Zero, One and Two and involuntary measures under Stage Three as set forth in the Water Shortage Drought Master Plan that are further adopted by a resolution of the Town Council such as but not limited to: initiating additional water shortage surcharges on the three highest water rate tiers pursuant to §§ 52.406 and 52.999; mandating limited outdoor landscape watering up to no more than twice per week during certain hours during summer months and once per week during non-summer months; prohibiting outdoor misting; prohibiting outdoor hose washing; prohibiting ornamental water fountains; prohibiting filling public and private swimming pools; other outdoor water usages, and installing flow restrictors on water service lines of customers who have repeat violations.
(c) Stage Four of the Water Shortage Drought Master Plan. The Water Shortage Drought Management Plan shall include the voluntary and involuntary measures implemented under Stages Zero, One, Two and Three and involuntary measures under Stage Four as set forth in the Water Shortage Drought Master Plan that are further adopted by a resolution of the Town Council such as but not limited to: initiating additional water shortage surcharges pursuant to § 52.406 and 52.999; and prohibiting outdoor landscape watering.
(B) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the town from responding to any emergency responding to any emergency regarding the delivery of water to customers.
(Ord. O2011-03, passed 2-7-11; Am. Ord. O2023-06, passed 12-4-23)