For the purpose of §§ 54.15 et seq., the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
COMMERCIAL NEED (C.N.). Intended to establish the average commercial or business need for water, shall be computed by averaging the 3 lowest months of consumption during the next preceding 12-month period before occurrence of the emergency, at a time when no water restrictions were in effect. The averaging shall be by class of business, where deemed feasible, and by individual business where a class average appears inequitable. The classification of businesses for this averaging shall be established by resolution of the City Commission implementing a water shortage emergency, as defined in this section. The classification may be further changed, during the emergency, as inequities and inadequacies may appear.
COMMERCIAL SEASONAL PEAK (C.S.P.) and COMMERCIAL SEASONAL ALLOWANCE (C.S.A.). These terms, as in the case of residential use, are intended to establish the average maximum monthly commercial use, by classifications or by individual businesses as aforesaid, and shall be computed similarly as to residential uses. The percentage of normal use deemed necessary to fairly allocate the available water supply may vary from class to class, as is deemed equitable to the City Commission, considering business reasonableness, water saving necessity, and other relevant factors. Use of water within and above the COMMERCIAL SEASONAL ALLOWANCE shall have a similar effect upon water rates to that of residential use.
CONSERVATION ALLOCATION (C.A.). The sum of the “seasonal allowance” and the “domestic need.” Use of a greater quantity of water than this amount will trigger a decupling of the basic “domestic need” rate per thousand gallons thereafter.
DOMESTIC NEED (D.N.). This term, intended to establish the average city household’s monthly water needs for purely domestic purposes, that is, drinking, washing, toilet, and other sanitary and health requirements, shall be computed for residential purposes by averaging the monthly consumption of city households during the months of December, January, and February of the next preceding period before occurrence of the emergency when no water restrictions were in effect. It shall be computed by determining the total water use through residential meters for the 3-month period and dividing that sum by the number of residential meters and the number of months.
SEASONAL ALLOWANCE (S.A.). The result of multiplying the “seasonal peak differential” by the percentage of normal use deemed necessary to fairly allocate the available water supply among all residential users. Use of water within this allowance, above the “domestic need,” shall trigger a doubling of the rate per thousand gallons therefor.
SEASONAL PEAK (S.P.). This term, intended to establish the average maximum monthly water use for all purposes, shall be computed for residential or commercial purposes by averaging their consumption during the single month of highest use during the next preceding 12-month period before occurrence of the emergency when no water restrictions were in effect. It shall be computed by dividing the total water use through residential meters during their month of greatest use by the number of residential meters.
SEASONAL PEAK DIFFERENTIAL (S.P.D.). The difference between the quantity of water used at “seasonal peak” and the quantity at “domestic need.”
WATER SHORTAGE EMERGENCY (W.S.E.). This term shall apply to any situation, whether short- or long-termed, where the water available for the use of the people of the city is deemed insufficient to allow normal consumption and invocation of the terms of §§ 54.15 et seq. is necessary, and the water rate for water usage, commencing with the next meter reading, shall be that imposed by §§ 54.15 et seq.
(1981 Code, § 28-72) (Ord. 644, passed 1-19-1978)