(A) The Town Manager is authorized to impose mandatory water conservation controls, as authorized by this article, on the usage of water obtained directly, or indirectly, from the town’s water supply by declaring a water shortage. After receiving written recommendations from the MPWD, or the HPUD, the Town Manager may impose such controls, upon consideration of the following factors:
(1) Pressure at monitoring locations of the town’s water supply;
(2) Ability to re-fill water storage tanks of the town’s water supply;
(3) Ability to maintain an amount of water in the town’s ground level storage tanks which is adequate for fire protection purposes;
(4) Ability to maintain adequate water pressure in every portion of the town’s water supply;
(5) Adequacy of the town’s water supply in terms of quantity, and/or quality, for the foreseeable future to satisfy the anticipated demand for water;
(6) Conditions downstream of the town’s water intakes;
(7) Regulatory requirements affecting the operation, repair, or maintenance of any portion of the town’s water supply;
(8) Such factors as are identified in a Water Shortage Management Plan adopted by the town pursuant to this article;
(9) Such other factors as may affect the town’s ability to supply, treat, and/or distribute water from its water supply;
(10) Declaration of drought stages by the Drought Management Advisory Group, as defined by the low inflow protocol (LIP) based on preset trigger points; and
(11) Declaration of drought stages by the State Department of Environment and Natural Resources if local water supply, and demand factors, indicate need.
(B) The town’s, and/or the Hickory Public Utilities Department’s (HPUD), recommendation to the Town Manager on the issuance, amendment, or termination of a water shortage declaration shall set forth the basis for such recommendation, including the factors leading to such recommendation.
(C) The town is authorized to adopt a Water Shortage Management Plan, which shall be consistent with, and guide, the Town Public Works Department (MPWD) in the implementation, and enforcement, of the provisions of this article.