(A) From time to time climatic and other conditions, both natural and man-made, may arise or occur which cause a temporary shortage of water, and such conditions may affect the ability of the town’s public water systems to provide an adequate supply of water or where the public water supply may be unable to maintain adequate water pressure in the delivery system; and In such an event it is imperative to the well-being of the customers/residents of the town’s public water system that the use of water not essential to the health, welfare and safety of the town’s public water system and its customers/residents be restricted.
(B) Application. These guidelines shall apply to all persons, firms, partnerships, associations, corporations, companies or organizations of any kind connected to the town’s public water system or using water therefrom (hereafter, users).
(C) Declaration of need. Upon determining that the town’s public water system is in imminent danger of a shortage of water or is experiencing a shortage of water, the governing body shall declare a water conservation emergency and establish the appropriate conservation measures and the duration thereof.
(D) Voluntary conservation. In accordance with division (H) below, users shall be requested to reduce water consumption by practicing voluntary conservation techniques. The governing body shall suggest reasonable and meaningful actions, which will alleviate existing or potential water shortage.
(E) Mandatory conservation. In accordance with division (H) below, users shall be prohibited from the water uses listed below, subject to reasonable terms, times and conditions as the governing body shall determine:
(1) Sprinkling, watering or irrigating of shrubbery, trees, grass, ground covers, plants, vines, gardens, vegetables or any other vegetation;
(2) Washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, mobile homes, railroad cars or any other type of mobile equipment;
(3) Cleaning or spraying of sidewalks, driveways, paved areas or other outdoor surfaces;
(4) Washing and cleaning of any business equipment or machinery;
(5) The filling of swimming pools, wading pools and ornamental fountains; and/or
(6) Knowingly allowing leakage through defective plumbing.
(F) Rationing. In addition to the mandatory conservation measures identified in division (E) above and in accordance with division (H) below, users shall be limited to water use per the following schedule:
(1) Residential use shall be limited to 100 gallons per person per day.
(2) Business, commercial and industrial users shall be limited to a percent of the volume of water used during the corresponding month of the preceding year. Business, commercial or industrial users that were not in business and operating in the area served by the town’s public water system more than one year prior to the declaration of need shall be restricted to 80% of the average monthly volume of water used during the number of months such business, commercial and industrial user was in business and operating in the public water system area.
(G) Exceptions. The governing body of the town’s public water system reserves the right to establish alternative rationing requirements for the following:
(1) Health care providers.
(2) A reasonable use of water to maintain adequate health and sanitary standards.
(3) Those industrial and agricultural activities declared to be necessary for the public health and well-being.
(H) Notice. Notice of voluntary conservation measures shall be by publication in a local newspaper of general circulation or other means as deemed appropriate by the governing body. Said notice shall be effective upon publication. Notice of mandatory conservation 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 noon of the third day after depositing same in the United States mail.
(I) Enforcement. Water service may be terminated for any user who violates divisions (E) or (F) above.
(Ord. 2002-04, passed 7-2-02)