For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALLOTMENT. The maximum quantity of water allowed for each customer over an applicable period as established in the water rationing provisions of this chapter.
ANY WATER. Any type of water, including fresh water, brackish water, wastewater or reclaimed water.
BRACKISH WATER. Water containing more than 1,000 parts per million of dissolved salts.
CUSTOMER. Any person using water for any purpose from the town’s water distribution system and for which a regular charge is made.
EMERGENCY. The water supplies are below the level necessary to meet normal needs and that serious shortages exist in the area.
EXCESS USE. The usage of water by a water customer in excess of the water allotment provided under the water rationing provisions of this chapter for that customer, over any applicable period.
FRESH WATER. Water withdrawn from surface or ground water, which has not been previously used, other than brackish water.
MANDATORY CONSERVATION. That raw water supplies are consistently below seasonal averages, and if they continue to decline, may not be adequate to meet normal needs.
NON-RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER. Commercial, industrial, institutional, public and all other such users, with exception of hospitals and health care facilities.
RATIONING. Procedures established to provide for the equitable distribution of critically-limited water supplies, in order to balance demand and limited available supplies, and to assure that sufficient water is available to preserve public health and safety.
RECLAIMED WATER. Wastewater, which has been treated to allow reuse.
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER. Any customer who receives water service for a single or multi-family dwelling unit. The term RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER does not include educational or other institutions, hotels, motels or similar commercial establishments.
SERVICE INTERRUPTION. The temporary suspension of water supply, or reduction of pressure below that required for adequate supply, to any customer, portion of the system or the entire system.
VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION. That conditions exist which indicate the potential for serious water supply shortages.
WASTE OF WATER. Includes, but is not limited to:
(1) Permitting water to escape down a gutter, ditch or other surface drain; or
(2) Failure to repair a controllable leak of water due to defective plumbing.
WASTEWATER. Water previously used for industrial, municipal, county, domestic or other purposes, and has not been returned to the surface or ground water source.
WATER. Water available to the town for treatment by virtue of its water right or withdrawal permit or any treated water introduced by the county into the town’s water distribution system, including water offered for sale.
WATER USE CLASSES. Established as follows:
(1) Class 1. Essential water uses:
(a) Domestic use. Water necessary to sustain human life and the lives of domestic pets, and to maintain minimum standards of hygiene and sanitation;
(b) Health care facilities. Patient care and rehabilitation, including swimming pools used for patient care and rehabilitation;
(c) Public use.
1. Fire hydrants;
2. Firefighting; and
3. Certain testing and drills by the fire departments if performed in the interest of public safety and if approved by the town’s Board of Commissioners.
(d) Flushing of sewers and hydrants. As needed to ensure public health and safety if approved by the town’s Board of Commissioners.
(2) Class 2. Socially or economically important uses of water:
(a) All domestic uses other than those included in Classes 1 and 3:
1. Home water use including kitchen, bathroom and laundry use;
2. Minimal watering of vegetable gardens; and
3. Watering trees where necessary to preserve them.
(b) Commercial, agricultural, industrial and institutional uses:
1. Outdoor commercial watering (public or private) using conservation measures and to the extent that sources of water other than fresh water are not available to use;
2. Irrigation for commercial vegetable gardens and fruit orchards or the maintenance of livestock;
3. Watering by commercial nurseries at a minimum level necessary to maintain stock;
4. Water use by arboretums and public gardens of national, state or regional significance where necessary to preserve specimens;
5. Use of fresh water at a minimum rate necessary to implement vegetation following earth-moving, where such re-vegetation is required by law or regulation;
6. Watering of golf course greens;
7. Filling and operation of swimming pools. Residential pools which serve more than 25 dwelling units, pools used by health care facilities for patient care and rehabilitation, and municipal pools;
8. Commercial car and truck washes;
9. Commercial laundromats;
10. Restaurants, clubs, and eating establishments;
11. Air conditions. Refilling for start-up at the beginning of the cooling season, make-up water during cooling season, refilling specifically approved by health officials and the town’s Board of Commissioners, where the system has been drained for health protection or repair purposes; and
12. Schools, churches, motels, hotels and similar commercial establishments.
(3) Class 3. Non-essential uses of water:
(a) Ornamental purposes: Fountains, reflecting pools, artificial waterfalls and the like;
(b) Outdoor non-commercial watering (public or private):
1. Gardens, lawns, parks, golf courses (except greens), playing fields and other recreational areas;
2. Filling and operation of recreational swimming pools which serve fewer than 25 dwellings;
3. Non-commercial washing of motor vehicles;
4. Serving water in restaurants, clubs or eating places except by specific request; and
5. Refilling of air conditioning cooling towers after draining except as specified in Class 1.
(c) Public use:
1. Fire hydrants, any use including use of sprinkler caps and testing fire apparatus and for fire department drills, except as listed in Class 1; and
2. Flushing of sewers and hydrants except as listed in Class 1.
(Ord. O-07-002, passed 7-2-2007)