(A) Stage I voluntary reductions. In the event the City Manager determines that a water shortage is imminent, the Mayor may proclaim that a Stage I Water Shortage exists. The City Manager shall recommend that residential and commercial users voluntarily reduce water consumption 5% in comparison to their previous month's bill. Customer education will encourage water conservation and efficiency measures by following conservation measures such-as, but not limited to:
(1) Irrigating yards, a maximum of once per week between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
(2) Limit car washing to minimum and no more than two times per month.
(3) Preventing water waste, runoff and watering of impervious surfaces.
(4) Do not leave faucets running while shaving or rinsing dishes.
(5) Operate clothes washers and dishwashers only when fully loaded.
(6) Use showers for bathing, rather than bathtub, and limit showers to no more than four minutes.
(7) Use disposable and biodegradable dishes.
(8) Limit hours of operation of water-cooled air conditioners.
(9) Delay new landscape work until the water shortage has ended.
(10) Use spring loaded nozzles on garden hoses.
(11) Identify and repair all water leaks.
(B) Stage II mandatory reductions. In the event that the City Manager determines that a water shortage is occurring, the Mayor may declare by proclamation that a Stage II Water Shortage exists. All customers are expected to reduce their water use by 10% in comparison to their previous month's water bill. In addition to continuing to encourage all voluntary reduction actions, the following restrictions apply and it shall be unlawful to:
(1) Water lawns, grass, shrubbery, trees, flowers and vegetable gardens except in accordance with this subchapter. Irrigating is limited to once every two weeks between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
(2) Fill or refill empty swimming pools, wadding pools, fountains, or outdoor ornamental structures that use standing or running water. Upon written request, an exception may be granted by the City Manager for an ornamental fountain, pool, pond or other similar structure using water if the City Manager determines that continuing flow of such does not draw water from the city's water system.
(3) Wash any motor vehicle or other type of mobile equipment for any noncommercial purpose.
(4) Wash outside areas; including sidewalks, patios or driveways.
(5) Use water from public or private fire hydrants for any purpose other than fire suppression or other public emergency.
(6) Serve drinking water in restaurants, cafeterias or other food establishments except upon request.
(7) Operate water-cooled air conditioners or other equipment that does not recycle cooling water except when health and safety are adversely affected.
(8) Use water for any unnecessary purpose or to intentionally waste water.
(C) Stage III mandatory reductions II. In the event that the City Manager determines that a water shortage is occurring and that Stage II mandatory reduction measures are inadequate, the mayor may declare by proclamation that a Stage III mandatory reductions II exists. Customers must continue actions from all previous stages and further reduce water use by 20% compared to their previous month's water bill. All non-essential uses of drinking water are banned; and garden and landscape irrigations must be reduced to the minimum amount necessary for plant survival. Additionally, in Stage III, a drought surcharge of 1.5 times the per gallon billed water rate applies.
(D) Stage IV emergency reductions. Customers must continue actions from all previous stages and further reduce water use by 25% compared to their previous month's water bill. A ban on use of drinking water except to protect public health and safety is implemented where possible, firefighting equipment shall use raw water and drought surcharges increase to two times the per gallon billed water rate .
(E) Stage V water rationing. The goal is to provide drinking water to protect public health (e.g. residences, residential health care facilities). In Stage V, all customers are only permitted to use water at the minimum required for public health protection. Firefighting is the only allowable outdoor water use and pickup for distributing potable water will be announced according to the City of Havelock's Emergency Response Plan. Drought surcharges increase to 2.5 times the per gallon billed water rate.
*Note: All water use reductions are cumulative and are in comparison to the previous month's water bill (or first full month water bill for a new account) based on the date of the Mayor's most recent proclamation. The manager is hereby authorized to prepare a Water Shortage Response Plan - City Policy adopted by the Board of Commissioners to implement these water conservation measures, to further define and give examples of the various classes of water use, to prepare a mandatory water rationing policy and plan, and to provide such other conditions and provisions as may be necessary to successfully carry out the goals of this section.
(Ord. 19-O-03, passed 9-23-2019)