Upon a determination by the Town Manager or Utility Director of the existence of the following conditions, the Town Manager or Utility Director shall take the following actions that shall apply to all water users in the town.
(A) Drought watch. When moderate but limited supplies of water are available and a drought watch is declared in accordance with the Drought Response and Contingency Plan, the Town Manager or Utility Director shall, through appropriate means, call upon the general population to employ prudent restraint in water usage. Public outreach activities shall be identified to inform the general population of the potential for drought conditions to intensify any potential water conservation activities that may be utilized.
(B) Drought warning. The drought warning stage includes voluntary water conservation actions due to the imminent onset of a significant drought event.
(1) Customers will be asked to reduce outdoor water use by only using water before 10:00 a.m. and after 7:00 p.m. and by:
(a) Reducing turf watering;
(b) Using a broom, not the hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks;
(c) Reducing vehicle washing;
(d) Using bucket watering instead of hose watering when possible; and
(e) Turning off ornamental fountains.
(2) Customers will be asked to reduce indoor water use by:
(a) Identifying and repairing leaks;
(b) Turning off the water while shaving, brushing teeth and the like;
(c) Reducing shower time to five minutes or taking baths with less water;
(d) Only using the clothes washer and dishwasher machines when there are full loads;
(e) Storing water in the refrigerator instead of running it to get it cold; and
(f) Installing water-saver devices in the home, such as low-flow toilets and showerheads.
(C) Drought emergency. As drought conditions continue to worsen, a drought emergency may be declared by the Town Manager or Utility Director. When a drought emergency is declared, the following mandatory water restrictions are imposed:
(1) All public water uses not required for health or safety will be prohibited;
(2) Watering outdoor vegetation will be prohibited, except from a watering can or other container not exceeding three gallons in capacity or with recycled water. Any person regularly engaged in the sale of plants will be permitted to irrigate only in amounts necessary to prevent the loss of nursery stock;
(3) Washing vehicles except from a bucket or other container not exceeding three-gallons in capacity or with recycled water will be prohibited;
(4) Washing driveways, sidewalks, exteriors of homes or other outdoor surfaces will be prohibited; however, any person regularly engaged in the business of washing such areas shall be permitted to use water for such purposes as long as the amount of water being used is minimized;
(5) The operation of any ornamental fountain or similar structure using water will be prohibited;
(6) The filling or refilling of swimming pools or wading pools will be prohibited;
(7) Restaurants and similar establishments will be prohibited from serving water unless specifically requested by the customer; and
(8) Fire hydrant use will only be permitted for fire protection.
(1996 Code, § 172-27) (Ord. passed 3-9-2010)