(A) (1) The existence and severity of a water shortage shall be determined initially by the Director of Public Works, taking into account the water levels of available sources of supply, available/usable storage on hand; drawdown rates, the projected supply capability, outlook for precipitation, existence of drought conditions, daily water use patterns, and availability of water from other sources.
(2) Upon determining that water conservation measures are necessary to adequately address the water shortage, the director may declare any stage of water conservation described herein to be in force.
(3) Declaration of any stage of water conservation affecting either the Town of Southern Pines shall only be made after the Director has consulted with the manager of the Town of Southern Pines Public Utilities Director prior to the declaration or as soon as practicable thereafter.
(4) Except in the case of an unforeseen emergency, prior to the initial imposition of a water conservation stage, the Director shall report to the governing board regarding the Administrations’ intent to impose water conservation stages.
(B) (1) Following such initial report to the governing board, the director may impose such stages or stages of water conservation as may be deemed necessary to protect the town’s water supplies.
(2) The imposition of each stage of water conservation shall be reported to the governing board as soon as possible following such imposition.
(3) The Director or the governing board may terminate any stage of water conservation upon determining that it is no longer necessary.
(Prior Code, § 15-53)