(A) Use of the Drought Monitor. The Town Utility Director will monitor regional water resources conditions through the North Carolina Drought Monitor (http://www.ncwater.org/drouqht/). When the Drought Monitor indicates impending drought conditions, the Utility Director will increase monitoring of water demand and the available supply of water.
(B) Phase 1: Declaration of voluntary conservation.
(1) Voluntary conservation shall be initiated when a potential water supply shortage exists, which is indicated when:
(a) Daily use is greater than the 18-hour production of the wells one day within a 30-day period; or
(b) A 20% reduction in the seasonal normal distance between the static water level in the well and the pump intake; or
(c) Consideration will also be given when the US Drought Monitor indicates abnormally dry or moderate drought in the town.
(2) When the governing body of the town finds that a potential water supply shortage is indicated, it shall be empowered to declare by adoption of an ordinance (WSRO) that voluntary conservation conditions exist, and that the Director of Public Works, on a daily basis, monitors the supply and demand upon that supply.
(3) In addition, the governing body is authorized to call upon all water customers to employ voluntary water conservation measures to limit water use (especially Class 3 uses) and eliminate the waste of water.
(a) This resolution shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area that qualifies under G.S. § 1-597, and may be publicized through the general news media or any other appropriate method for making such resolutions public.
(b) A water shortage advisory shall be issued.
(4) During Phase 1 water use restrictions, the reduction goal for systemwide daily average use will be 5%.
(C) Phase 2: Declaration of mandatory conservation.
(1) Mandatory conservation shall be initiated when water supplies are consistently below seasonal averages, and the continued decline of water supplies would result in a water supply shortage due to an inadequate water supply to meet normal needs. This is indicated when:
(a) Daily use is greater than the 18-hour production of the wells for two days or more within a 30-day period; or
(b) A 40% reduction in the seasonal normal distance between the static water level in the well and the pump intake; or
(c) Equipment failure, facility failure or contamination in raw water quality results in discontinued use of one or more groundwater wells, resulting in pumping times greater than 18 hours for the remaining wells for a period less than 30 days; or
(d) Consideration will also be given when the US Drought Monitor indicates moderate or severe drought in the town.
(2) When the governing body of the town finds raw water supplies to be consistently below seasonal averages, and if they continue to decline and may not be adequate to meet normal needs, it shall be empowered to declare by adoption of an ordinance (WSRO) that mandatory conservation conditions exist.
(a) The governing body of the town shall continue to encourage voluntary water conservation measures defined under the voluntary conservation declaration, and further shall impose a ban on all Class 3, non-essential water uses for the duration of the shortage, until it is declared ended by ordinance of the governing board.
(b) Publication of these ordinances shall follow the provisions declaration in § 51.102.
(c) A water shortage alert shall be issued.
(4) During Phase 2 water use restrictions, the reduction goal for systemwide daily average use will be 15%.
(D) Phase 3: Declaration of a water shortage emergency.
(1) A water shortage emergency shall be initiated when raw water supplies are below the level necessary to meet normal needs and a serious water supply shortage exists. This is indicated when:
(a) Daily use is greater than the 18-hour production of the wells for four days or more within a 30-day period; or
(b) A 60% reduction in the seasonal normal distance between the static water level in the well and the pump intake; or
(c) Equipment failure, facility failure or contamination in raw water quality results in discontinued use of one or more groundwater wells, resulting in pumping times greater than 18 hours for the remaining wells for a period greater than or equal to 30 days; or
(d) Consideration will also be given when the US Drought Monitor indicates severe or extreme drought in the town.
(2) When the governing body of the town finds that raw water supplies are below the level necessary to meet normal needs and a serious water supply shortage exists, it shall be empowered to declare by adoption of an ordinance (WSRO) that a water shortage emergency exists.
(a) Specific Class 1, essential water uses shall be identified as targets for voluntary conservation initiatives.
(b) Also, all Class 2, socially or economically important water uses shall be banned in addition to Class 3, non-essential water uses.
(c) These restrictions shall continue until the emergency is declared ended by ordinance of the governing body.
(d) Publication of these ordinances shall follow the provisions in § 51.102.
(e) A water shortage emergency shall be issued.
(3) During Phase 3 water use restrictions, the reduction goal for systemwide daily average use will be 25%.
(E) Variances.
(1) Customers seeking variance from the conservation requirements in the WSRP should submit to the town a written request for variance, containing the following items:
(a) Name;
(b) Address;
(c) Utilities account number;
(d) Date of request;
(e) Proposed duration for requested variance;
(f) Detailed explanation for requested variance; and
(g) Justification for approval of the requested variance.
(2) Variances shall be evaluated by the Director of Public Works.
(3) The Director of Public Works will then make a recommendation to the governing body of the town.
(4) The governing body of the town shall make the final decision within 30 days after receipt of the request.
(F) Return to normal.
(1) When water shortage conditions have abated and the situation is returning to normal, water conservation measures employed during each phase should be decreased in reverse order of implementation.
(2) Permanent measures directed toward long-term monitoring and conservation should be implemented or continued so that the community will be in a better position to prevent shortages and to respond to recurring water shortage conditions.
(Ord. passed 12-14-2010)