In order to assure the continued supply of safe drinking water to the citizens of the city, the City Council adopts the following plan addressing conservation, drought and emergency contingencies. The plan is based upon demand on the system and implements a series of stages depending upon the severity of the demand.
(A) Stage I: Water Watch
(1) Triggers. This stage is triggered by any one of the following conditions: When system capacity reaches four million gallons per day for five days consecutive.
(2) Goals. The goals of this stage are to heighten awareness of the public regarding water conditions and to maintain the integrity of the water supply system.
(3) Education actions.
(a) The city may make occasional news releases to the local media, as well as posting at City Hall, describing present conditions and indicating the regulatory action.
(b) The triggers necessitating the Stage I: Water Watch may also be made available to the news media along with an explanation of terms.
(4) Management action.
(a) The city will ascertain that each well is operating at peak efficiency.
(b) Leaks detected will be repaired within 72 hours.
(c) The city shall reduce Class 1 uses.
(5) Regulatory action. The public may be asked to voluntarily reduce the use of water as defined in Class 1.
(6) Declaration of a water watch. Whenever the City Manager or the Utilities Director finds that conditions exist as described in the plan under Stage I: Water Watch, Triggers, they shall declare a Stage I: Water Watch, and implement the steps outlined under this section. The implementation declaring the existence and end of a Stage I: Water Watch shall be effective upon issuing of news releases and posting at City Hall.
(B) Stage II: Water Warning.
(1) Triggers. This stage is triggered by any one of the following conditions: System capacity reaches four and one-half million gallons per day for five consecutive days.
(2) Goals. The goal of this stage is to reduce demand and lighten the burden on existing water wells and the Water Treatment Plant.
(3) Education actions.
(a) The city may make weekly news releases to the local media and by posting, describing present conditions and projecting the outlook for the coming week.
(b) The triggers necessitating the Stage II: Water Warning may also be made available to the public through news releases and posting at City Hall along with an explanation of terms.
(c) Water conservation articles may be provided to the local newspaper and posted at City Hall.
(4) Management actions.
(a) The city will continue to monitor water supplies on a daily basis.
(b) Leaks shall be repaired within 72 hours or a violation notice shall be issued.
(c) The city may terminate its usage of water classified in Class 1 and Class 2.
(5) Regulation action.
(a) Water classified as Class 1 and Class 2 will be terminated except as follows:
1. Outdoor water use, including lawn watering and car washing will be restricted to before 10:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m.
2. Waste of water is strictly prohibited.
(6) Declaration of a water warning. Whenever the City Manager or the Utilities Director finds that conditions exist as described in the plan under Stage II: Water Warning, Triggers, they shall declare a Stage II: Water Warning, and implement the steps outlined under this section. The implementation declaring the existence and end of a Stage II; Water Warning shall be effective upon a news release and posting at City Hall.
(C) Stage III: Water Emergency.
(1) Triggers. This stage is triggered by any one of the following conditions:
(a) When system capacity has reached five million gallons per day on two consecutive days.
(b) This stage may or can be implemented at anytime because of the following reasons:
1. The loss of a municipal well or booster pump;
2. A large main break;
3. Loss of power due to unknown reasons;
4. Large fire;
5. Undetermined reasons specified by water operator;
(2) Goals. The goals of this stage are to reduce the overall weekly consumption and maintain the integrity of the system.
(3) Education actions.
(a) The city may make weekly news releases to the local media and by posting, describing present conditions and projecting the outlook for the coming week.
(b) The triggers necessitating the Stage III: Water Emergency may also be made available to the public through news releases and posting at City Hall along with an explanation of terms.
(c) Water conservation articles may be provided to the local newspaper and posted.
(d) The city may conduct public meetings to discuss the emergency, the status of the city water supply, and further actions which may need to be taken.
(4) Management actions.
(a) The city water supplies shall be monitored daily.
(b) Leaks shall be repaired within 24 hours. This includes private and city leaks.
(c) The city may seek additional emergency supplies from other sources.
(5) Regulation actions.
(a) Uses of water in Class 1 and 2 shall be prohibited.
(b) Waste of water shall be prohibited.
(6) Declaration of a water emergency. Whenever the governing body of the city finds that conditions exist as described in this plan under Stage III: Water Emergency, Triggers, it shall be empowered to declare, by resolution, that a Stage III: Water Emergency exists and implement the steps outlined under this plan. The resolution declaring the existence of a Stage III: Water Emergency shall be effective upon news release and/or posting at City Hall. In the event of a system failure, or natural disaster, the City Manager or the Utilities Director shall have the authority to declare a Stage III: Water Emergency. Within 24 hours after the aforementioned Water Emergency declaration, the City Council shall declare a Stage III: Water Emergency by resolution. The City Manager or the Utilities Director shall declare the end of a Stage III: Water Emergency.
(Prior Code, § 3-128.03) (Ord. 2004-2716, passed 11-1-2004)