(A) A water shortage may be declared by the City Council, in its discretion, after a public hearing and upon adoption of a finding that there is insufficient water available to meet the human consumption, sanitation, fire protection, and commercial consumption needs of water consumers located within the city limits of the City of Faith, or when there is insufficient surplus water available to meet the demands of all bulk water customers and others for use or consumption outside the city limits of the City of Faith. Examples of circumstances that may justify the declaration of a water shortage include, but are not limited to, increased demand for water resulting from new development or population increases; low water levels in the reservoir or other water supply deficiencies; malfunction of the water system; increased demand from bulk water customers or consumers located within or outside the city limits of the City of Faith; or any other cause or circumstances that render the output of the City of Faith water system inadequate to meet the demands.
(B) The Mayor may, in his or her discretion, declare a water emergency of not to exceed 15 days, and the City Council may, in its discretion, declare a water emergency of not to exceed 30 days without a public hearing, or of any length after a public hearing, upon adoption of a finding that sudden or unanticipated causes have impaired or pose imminent threat of impairment of the city’s ability to meet the ordinary current demands of all consumers or purchasers of city water. Examples of circumstances that may justify the declaration of a water emergency include, but are not limited to, disaster; actual or imminent threat of malfunction or breakdown of dams, water treatment facilities, mains, distribution lines, pumps, storage tanks, or any other component of the water system; actual or imminent threat of contamination of the water supply; or injury or imminent threat of injury to the public health, safety, or welfare.
(Ord. 329, passed 11-20-2018)