(a) Water use restrictions. The use of water is permitted, subject to the following restrictions:
(1) Prohibition of Use as a Source of Energy. The use of the pressure or flow of water as a source of energy is prohibited, except when specifically approved by the Department or for charging the battery of an electronic plumbing fixture.
(2) Restrictions on Use for Coolant Purposes. The use of City water for coolant purposes in industrial and commercial equipment is prohibited, except with the use of an approved "water conservation device," in accordance with 15 RCNY § 20-06.
(3) Required Recirculation in Fountains, Ornamental Pools, Aquariums and Similar Structures. Display fountains, ornamental pools, aquariums, and similar structures using water in excess of the rate of one-half (1/2) gpm shall be recirculated.
(4) Shutoffs Required for Drinking Fountains and Recreational Sprinklers. Drinking fountains shall operate only when activated by a user. Recreational sprinklers shall be equipped with a timer to stop flow if the sprinkler is not being used or shall not operate when not in use.
(5) [Reserved.]
(6) Watering of lawns and gardens.
(i) The use of a hose, automatic sprinkler or other means to water lawns or gardens is prohibited between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Automatic irrigation systems shall include a sensor or control which shall prevent operation during or within 24 hours of substantial rain.
(ii) Between the first day of November and the last day of the following March, the following activities are prohibited using City water: (a) the use of hoses and sprinklers, and (b) the watering of lawns and gardens, except for the watering of non-turf plants with a hand-held container.
(iii) The following activities are prohibited at all times: (a) the use of hoses which flow at more than five (5) gpm at sixty (60) psi or which, regardless of flow rate, are not equipped with an automatic shutoff mechanism which will turn off the flow of water if a handle or trigger is not actively held or compressed, and (b) the practice of allowing sprinklers to flood sidewalks, gutters and roadways.
(7) Sidewalks flushing. The flushing of sidewalks is prohibited between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. In addition, the flushing of sidewalks by means of a hose or piping is prohibited between the first day of November and the last day of the following March. This provision, however, shall not be construed to prohibit the washing of such surfaces, particularly the exterior surface of a building, where such washing is required as part of repairs mandated by the Administrative Code or to protect the health and safety of the public. For one, two, or three-family homes, any hose used to supply City water for sidewalk cleaning purposes must be equipped with a nozzle which limits flow to no more than five (5) gpm at sixty (60) psi and which is equipped with an automatic shutoff mechanism which will turn off the flow of water if a handle or trigger is not actively held or compressed. For multiple dwellings, commercial occupancies, or where required by the Administrative Code or by the Department for health and safety purposes, any hose used to supply City water for sidewalk cleaning purposes shall use a fixture that flows at no more than 2.5 gpm, irrespective of pressure.
(8) Temporary Suspension of Permission to Use City Water for Purposes Listed in paragraphs (6) and (7). The Commissioner may suspend the authorization granted herein for the flushing of sidewalks and the watering of lawns and gardens. Such a suspension may be implemented without formal notice, through advisories issued via broadcast or print media. Upon the declaration of either a Water Pressure Alert or a Water Pressure Emergency, the use of City water to flush sidewalks and to water lawns or gardens is prohibited until the alert/emergency has ended.
(9) Car washing.
(i) The use of City water for commercial car washing purposes is prohibited, except (a) where at least seventy-five (75) percent of the water is reused by means of a recirculating system which uses City water for the final rinse only, or (b) where coin operated automatic high pressure equipment is employed. Any premise using City water for commercial car washing must install an approved backflow prevention device.
(ii) Garages, gasoline service stations, and other similar establishments which furnish car washing as part of their regular service and do not employ automatic car washing equipment, as described above, may use buckets of water only.
(iii) Any hose used to supply City water for non-commercial car washing purposes must be equipped with a nozzle which limits flow to no more than five (5) gpm at sixty (60) psi and which is equipped with an automatic shutoff mechanism which will turn off the flow of water if a handle or trigger is not actively held or compressed.
(b) Fire hydrant use.
(1) Fire hydrants on the raw may be routinely opened only by authorized employees of the Department and/or the Fire Department. All others seeking permission to open a fire hydrant must secure a permit from the Department, Bureau of Customer Service. Fire Hydrant Use Permits shall be secured at the site where water is being used. Permits for the use of hydrants may not be granted when, in the view of the Department, water from a metered source is available to serve the end use described in the permit application. Permit applicants are required to describe the proposed use in detail and indicate why another alternative (e.g., existing metered source or construction meter) cannot be used. Only approved hydrant wrenches may be used. Water must be obtained from the smaller size hydrant nozzle only. Caps and chains are not to be broken and must be securely replaced after use.
(2) Fire Hydrant Use Permits are valid only on the days specified therein, unless otherwise approved by the Department.
(3) Permits shall not be issued for use of fire hydrants supplied by water mains which are twenty (20) inches or larger in diameter. Fire hydrants may not be obstructed, and shall be available, at all times, for use by the Fire Department.
(4) With the exception of hoses used to extinguish fires, any hose connected to a fire hydrant must be equipped with an approved Reduced Pressure Zone backflow prevention assembly (RPZA). Applications which do require a RPZA include, but are not limited to, demolition dust control, pavement breaking, cutting and sawing, mixing and curing of concrete or mortar, well digging, washing/pumping of manholes, basements or sewers, application of pesticides, herbicides, paints, curing agents or fertilizers, washing down roadway construction, or make-up water. (See Appendix Figure #6).
(5) Connections to fire hydrants shall be made by valve and couplings which can be readily detached in case of emergency. Where valve and couplings are used, the hydrant must be fully open at all times. The rate of flow shall be governed by the installed valve, and all such connections shall be uncoupled immediately after use.
(6) All fire hydrants used during the period from November 1st to April 15th shall be pumped out immediately after use. Hydrants Use Permits shall be invalid when the temperature is below thirty-two (32) degrees Fahrenheit.
(7) Defective hydrants shall immediately be reported to the Department by the permit holder.
(8) Opening a fire hydrant without a permit shall be a violation.
(c) Installation and maintenance of corporation stops (taps), wet connections, service pipes and curb valves.
(1) Installation and maintenance. The property owner shall be responsible for installation and maintenance of corporations stops (taps), wet connection sleeves and valves, three-ways, service pipes, and curb valves.
(2) Shut-off charges. Should the Department shut a tap because of a leaking service pipe, non-payment of a bill, denial of access for an inspection or meter replacement or repair, failure to make repairs required for the installation or replacement of a meter, or non-compliance with Department rules, the owner shall pay a shut-off charge in accordance with the Water and Wastewater Rate Schedule of New York City Water Board.
(Amended City Record 7/26/2021, eff. 8/25/2021)