(a) The City Council may declare a water shortage based on a determination by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, the declaration of an executive order of the Governor, or the adoption of voluntary or mandatory water use restrictions by any state agency governing the use of water, or based upon any interruption in water supply or delivery that the City Council determines in its sole discretion necessitates water conservation pursuant to this chapter.
(b) In the event of an immediate emergency that causes an unplanned interruption of water supply, the City Manager or his/her designee is authorized to restrict water use and apportion the available supply of water among its customers in the most equitable manner possible to continue service fairly and without discrimination, except that preference shall be given to such service as is essential to the public interest and to the preservation of life and health.
(c) A water shortage, including a water shortage emergency but excluding an immediate emergency, shall be declared by the adoption of a resolution of the City Council.
(1) A notice of a water shortage, other than a water shortage emergency, shall be published in a daily newspaper of general circulation within the City. Any restrictions on the use of water during a declared water shortage shall become effective immediately upon such publication.
(2) Notice of hearing to declare a water shortage emergency, other than an immediate emergency, shall be made in accordance with Water Code Section 351. Any restrictions on the use of water during a declared water shortage shall become effective immediately upon adoption unless otherwise be determined by the City Council.
(§ 2, Ord. 2907, eff. June 16, 2009, as amended by § 2, Ord. 3027, eff. October 1, 2015 and § 2, Ord. 3196, eff. December 7, 2021)