Section
53.01 Purpose
53.02 Definitions
53.03 Classes of water use
53.04 Declaration of a water shortage advisory
53.05 Declaration of a water shortage alert
53.06 Declaration of a water shortage emergency
53.07 Declaration of rationing
53.08 Shortage water rates
53.09 Regulations
53.10 Violations
53.99 Penalty
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the declaration of official phases of water supply shortage situations and the implementation of voluntary and mandatory water conservation measures throughout the city in the event a shortage is declared. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to interfere with common law riparian or statutory water rights.
(Ord. 8-1988, passed 7-20-1988)
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADVISORY. Conditions exist which indicate the potential for serious water supply shortages.
ALERT. Raw water supplies (i.e., streamflow, reservoir levels, or groundwater levels) are consistently below seasonal averages, and if they continue to decline, may not be adequate to meet normal needs.
ALLOTMENT. The maximum quantity of water allowed for each customer over any 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.
CUSTOMER. Any person using water for any purpose from the city’s water distribution system and for which either a regular charge is made or, in the case of bulk sales, a cash charge is made at the site of delivery.
EMERGENCY. Water supplies are below the level necessary to meet normal needs and 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 Water withdrawn from surface or groundwater which has not been previously used, other than brackish water.
NONRESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER. Commercial, industrial, institutional, public, and all other such users, with the 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 limit available supplies, and to assure that sufficient water is available to preserve public health and safety.
(Ord. 8-1988, passed 7-20-1988)
(A) Class I: essential water uses.
(1) Domestic use. Water necessary to sustain human life and the lives of domestic pets, and to maintain minimum standards of hygiene and sanitation.
(2) Health care facilities. Patient care and rehabilitation.
(3) Public use.
(a) Firefighting; and
(b) Health and public protection purposes, if specifically approved by health officials and the municipal governing body.
(B) Class II: socially or economically important uses of water.
(1) Domestic.
(a) All domestic uses other than those included in classes one and three; and
(b) Home water use including kitchen, bathroom, and laundry use.
(2) Outdoor non-commercial watering (public or private). Agricultural irrigation for the production of food and fiber or the maintenance of livestock.
(3) Filling and operation of swimming pools.
(a) Residential pools which serve more than 25 dwelling units;
(b) Pools used by health care facilities for patient care and rehabilitation; and
(c) Municipal pools.
(4) Washing of motor vehicles. Commercial car and truck washes; unrestricted hours of operation.
(5) Commercial laundromats. Unrestricted hours of operation.
(6) Restaurants, clubs, and eating places. Unrestricted hours of operation.
(7) Schools, churches, motels/hotels, and similar commercial establishments. Unrestricted operation.
(C) Class III: non-essential uses of water.
(1) Ornamental purposes. Fountains, reflecting pools, and artificial waterfalls.
(2) Outdoor noncommercial watering (public or private). Gardens, lawns, parks, golf courses (except greens), playing fields, and other recreational areas.
(3) Filling and operation of swimming pools. Exceptions include: residential pools which serve more than 20 dwelling units; pools used by health care facilities for patient care and rehabilitation; and municipal pools.
(4) Washing of motor vehicles.
(a) Including: automobiles; trucks; boats; and trailers; and
(b) Exceptions include commercial car and truck washes.
(5) Serving water in restaurants, clubs, or eating places. Exceptions include specific requests by a customers.
(6) Fire hydrants.
(a) For any purpose, including: use of sprinkler caps; testing fire apparatus; and for Fire Department drills; and
(b) Exceptions include: firefighting; health protection purposes, if specifically approved by the health officials of the municipality; and certain testing and drills by the Fire Department, if in the interest of public safety and is approved by the municipal governing body.
(7) Flushing of sewers and hydrants. Exceptions include situations as needed to ensure public health and safety, and approved by health officials and the municipal governing body.
(Ord. 8-1988, passed 7-20-1988)
Whenever the City Council finds that a potential shortage of water supply is indicated, it shall be empowered to declare, by resolution, that a water shortage advisory exists, and the Water Manager or Superintendent shall, on a daily basis, monitor the supply and demands upon that supply. In addition, the Mayor is authorized to call upon all water customers to employ voluntary water conservation measures (see Addendum to Ord. 8-1988) to limit water use (especially Class III uses) and eliminate the waste of water. This resolution shall be published in the official city newspaper, and may be publicized through the general news media, or any other appropriate method for making such resolutions public.
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