The general public should be informed of the following conservation measures for indoor, outdoor, health care facility, assisted living, retirement home, institutional and industrial use.
(A) Phase 1: Voluntary conservation measures. When the town declares that voluntary conservation conditions exist, the general public should conserve as much water, and shall be encouraged to adhere to the following measures.
(1) Indoor use.
(a) Use dishwashers only when they are full.
(b) The use of disposable and biodegradable dishes is encouraged.
(c) Use washing machines only when full loads of laundry are to be washed.
(d) Turn off faucets while brushing teeth, shaving, washing dishes, and the like.
(e) Reduce water used per flush by installing toilet tank displacement inserts.
1. A plastic jug may often be used as an alternative.
2. Do not use bricks: they disintegrate when soaked, and the resulting grit hinders closing of the flap valve.
(f) Do not use the toilet as a garbage disposal.
(g) Use sink and tub stoppers to avoid wasting water.
(h) Keep a bottle of chilled water in the refrigerator for drinking, to avoid running water until it's cold.
(i) Fix leaky faucets, toilets and water-using appliances. Faucets can usually be fixed cheaply and quickly by replacing washers.
(j) Take shorter showers and shallow baths. Shorter showers are recommended over baths.
(k) Don't use a garbage disposal.
(l) Use non-phosphate detergent and save laundry water for lawns and plants.
(m) Adapt plumbing with flow-restricting or other water-saving devices. These are usually inexpensive and easy to install.
(n) Limit hours of operation of water-cooled air conditioners.
(2) Outdoor use.
(a) Lawns.
1. Limit lawn and garden watering to that which is necessary for plants to survive.
2. Water before 10:00 a.m. to reduce evaporation.
3. Water only when lawn shows signs of wilt. Grass that springs back when stepped on does not need water.
4. Water thoroughly, not frequently: long enough to soak roots.
a. A light sprinkling evaporates quickly and encourages shallow root systems.
b. Water slowly to avoid runoff.
5. Don't let the sprinkler run any longer than necessary. Use an alarm clock or stove timer to remind you to shut off sprinklers that don't have timers.
6. Allow a maximum of one inch of water per week on your lawn. To measure, place cake tins outside to collect rain and water from sprinklers.
7. Use pistol-grip nozzles on hoses to avoid waste when watering flowers and shrubs.
8. Aerate lawns by punching holes six inches apart. This allows water to reach roots rather than run off surfaces.
9. Position sprinklers to water the lawn, not the pavement.
10. Keep sprinkler heads clean to prevent uneven watering.
11. Adjust hose to simulate a gentle rain. Sprinklers that produce a fine mist waste water through evaporation.
12. Know how to turn off an automatic sprinkler system in case of rain.
(b) Vegetables and flower gardens.
1. Water deeply, slowly and weekly. Most vegetables require moisture to a depth of six to eight inches.
2. Keep soil loose so water can penetrate easily.
3. Keep weeds out to reduce competition for water.
4. Put the water where you want it and avoid evaporation by using soil-soakers or slow-running hoses, not sprinklers.
(c) Trees and shrubs.
1. Water deeply using a soil-soaker or drip irrigation.
2. Water only when needed. Check the depth of soil dryness by digging with a trowel.
3. Mulch to reduce evaporation. A two-inch to three-inch layer of wood chips, pine needles, grass clippings, or straw keeps the soil cool in summer.
4. Dig troughs around plants to catch and retain water.
5. Water trees growing in full sun more often than those in shade.
6. Do not use sprinklers. Apply water directly at base.
7. Do not fertilize during the summer. Fertilizing increases a plant's need for water.
8. Postpone planting until fall or spring when there is generally less need for water.
9. Install trickle-drip-irrigation systems close to the roots of your plants.
a. By dripping water slowly, the system doesn't spray water in to the air.
b. Use soil probes for large trees.
10. Water when cloudy.
(3) Other uses.
a. Limit car washing to a minimum.
b. Do not allow children to play with hose or sprinklers.
c. Temporarily delay new landscape work.
d. Do not wash outside areas such as sidewalks, patios, parking lots, and the like.
e. Catch rainfall for watering by placing containers under drain spouts.
f. Use leftover household water if available.
g. Determine the amount of water being used outdoors by comparing water bills for summer and winter.
(4) Health care facility, assisted living, and retirement home use.
a. Reduce laundry usage or services by changing linens, and the like only when necessary to preserve the health of patients or residents.
b. Use disposable food service items.
(5) Institutional and industrial use.
a. Identify and repair all leaky fixtures and water-using equipment. Give special attention to equipment connected directly to water lines, such as processing machines, steam-using machines, washing machines, water-cooled air conditioners, and furnaces.
b. Assure that valves and solenoids that control water flows are shut off completely when the water-using cycle is not engaged.
c. Adjust water-using equipment to use the minimum amount of water required to achieve its stated purpose.
d. Shorten rinse cycles for laundry machines as much as possible; implement lower water levels wherever possible.
e. For processing, cooling and other uses, either re-use water or use water from sources that would not adversely affect public water supplies.
f. Install toilet-tank-displacement inserts; place flow restrictors in shower heads and faucets; close down automatic flushes overnight.
g. Install automatic flushing valves to use as little water as possible or to cycle at longer intervals.
h. Place water-saving posters and literature where employees, students, patients, customers, and the like will have access to them.
i. Check meters on a frequent basis to determine consumption patterns.
j. Review usage patterns to see where other savings can be made.
(B) Phase 2: Mandatory conservation measures and restrictions. When the town declares that mandatory conservation conditions exist, the general public shall be required to adhere to the following restrictions, in addition to the voluntary guidelines already in effect.
(1) All Class 3 water uses are banned during this phase.
(2) No residential washing of cars or any other type of automobiles or transport equipment.
(3) No washing of outside areas such as sidewalks, driveways, patios, streets, service station aprons, parking lots, office buildings, homes.
(4) Watering of lawns will be permitted only once per week per customer and only from the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
(5) Vegetable gardens and food trees should be given minimal amounts of water on an individual basis only.
(6) Do not water inedible plants.
(7) Do not use sprinklers.
(C) Phase 3: Water shortage emergency measures and restrictions. When the town declares that water shortage emergency conditions exist, the general public shall be required to adhere to the following restrictions, in addition to the voluntary and mandatory guidelines already in effect.
(1) All Class 2 and Class 3 water uses are banned during this phase.
(2) Turn off shower while soaping up.
(3) Do not use water outside for any use other than drinking or emergencies such as a fire.
(4) Use of disposable eating utensils and plates is strongly encouraged for home use and at all eating establishments.
(Ord. passed 12-14-2010)