(A) Application. The provisions of this section shall apply to all persons, firms, partnerships, associations, corporations, companies or organizations or any kind connected to the city water supply system or purchasing or using water therefrom (all such persons or entities are hereinafter referred to as “users”).
(B) Declaration of need. Upon a determination by the Mayor or the Board of Works and Safety that the city public water system is in imminent danger of a shortage of water or is experiencing a shortage of water, the Mayor shall declare a water conservation emergency and establish the appropriate water conservation measures as set forth in this section and the duration thereof.
(C) Voluntary conservation. If notice of a voluntary water conservation emergency is given, users may be requested to reduce consumption by practicing voluntary conservation techniques. The Board of Public Works and Safety shall suggest reasonable and meaningful actions which will alleviate existing or potential water shortage, which suggestions should include, but not necessarily be limited to:
(1) Sprinkling, watering or irrigating of shrubbery, trees, grass, ground covers, plants, vines, gardens, vegetables or any other vegetation, other than that done by the use of hand-held watering containers, or that necessary for the production of food, maintenance of livestock and pets, maintenance of stock by commercial nurseries or maintenance of arboretums and public gardens of national, state or regional significance to preserve specimens;
(2) Washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, mobile homes, railroad cars or any other type of mobile equipment, other than by commercial car washes;
(3) Cleaning or spraying of sidewalks, driveways, paved areas or any other outdoor surfaces;
(4) Non-essential washing and cleaning of any business equipment or machinery;
(5) The filling of swimming pools, wading pools with a 50-gallon or more capacity and/or ornamental fountains; and/or
(6) Knowingly allowing defective plumbing.
(D) Rationing.
(1) If notice of a water rationing emergency is given, users, in addition to the voluntary conservation measures identified above, shall be limited to water use in accordance with a schedule established by the Board of Public Works and Safety for residential use, business use, commercial use and industrial use.
(2) In determining an appropriate schedule or schedules for the rationing of water use, the Board of Public Works and Safety shall consider the volume of water used by the user during the corresponding month of the preceding year or, in the event that the user was not residing in or in business in or operating in the area served by the city public water system, the Board of Public Works and Safety shall consider the average monthly volume of water used during the number of months such user was residing in, in business in, or operating in the city public water system area.
(E) Exceptions. Alternative conservation or rationing requirements may be established for the following:
(1) Health care providers;
(2) The reasonable use of water to maintain adequate health and sanitary standards; and
(3) Those industrial and agricultural activities declared to be necessary for the public health and well-being.
(F) Notice.
(1) Notice of voluntary conservation measures shall be by whatever means deemed appropriate by the Mayor or the Board of Public Works and Safety. Said notice shall be effective upon publication.
(2) Notice of mandatory conservation measures or rationing shall be by first-class United States mail, or by other door-to-door distribution to each current user, and by electronic and print media. Said notice shall be deemed effective at the conclusion of door-to-door distribution, or at 12:00 noon on the third day after depositing same in the United States mail.
(Prior Code, § 50.24) (Ord. 688, passed 8-23-1961) Penalty, see § 50.99