A. Proclamation: Under the conditions set forth in this chapter, the Public Works Director, in consultation with the Water Department personnel, may find, and by proclamation declare, a stage I or stage II water or stage III or stage IV shortage to prevent depleting the water supply for human consumption and sanitation and to produce an orderly and equitable reduction of water consumption.
B. Effect: Immediately upon the issuance of such a proclamation, the regulations and restrictions set forth under this chapter will become effective and will remain in effect until the proclamation is rescinded.
C. Conditions: A proclamation declaring a water shortage is activated by critical equipment failure, excessive water demand, and/or declaration of drought in the area.
1. Water demand is monitored at the water meter on the line from the water treatment plant to the water treatment plant reservoir.
2. Drought conditions are monitored by reviewing the reports from the U.S. drought monitor at https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu.
D. Trigger Points:
1. Water shortage proclamations will be declared based upon the following criteria:
a. Stage I – Supply: Normal.
b. Stage II – Supply: Peak daily demand more the eighty percent (80%) of system capacity or groundwater well pumping issues (low volume pumped, longer pumping cycles).
c. Stage III- Supply: Peak daily demand at or exceeding system capacity; extended power outage, pump failures or distribution failures (line pressure).
d. Stage IV- Supply: Peak day demand exceeds system capacity within a twenty-four (24) hour period; catastrophic system failure more than twenty-four (24) hours; severe drought for more than one week. (Ord. 158-2023, 7-27-2023)