For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADVISORY. That conditions exist which indicate the potential for serious water supply shortages.
ALERT. That raw water supplies (i.e., streamflow, reservoir levels or groundwater levels) are consistently below seasonal averages, and if they continue to decline, may not be adequate to meet normal needs.
ANY WATER. Any type of water, including fresh water, brackish water, wastewater, or reclaimed water.
BRACKISH WATER. Water containing more than 1,000 parts per million of dissolved salts.
CUSTOMER. Any person using water for any purpose from the city's water distribution system and for which either a regular charge is made or, in the case of bulk sales, a cash charge is made at the site of delivery.
EMERGENCY. That water supplies are below the level necessary to meet normal needs and that serious shortages exist in the area.
EXCESS USE. The usage of water by a customer in excess of the water allotment provided under the water rationing provisions of this subchapter for that customer, over any applicable period.
FRESH WATER. Water withdrawn from surface or groundwater which has not been previously used, other than brackish water.
NON-RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER. Commercial, industrial, institutional, public and all other such users, with the exception of hospitals and health care facilities.
RATIONING. Procedures established to provide for the equitable distribution of critically-limited water supplies, in order to balance demand and limited available supplies and to assure that sufficient water is available to preserve public health and safety.
RECLAIMED WATER. Wastewater which has been treated to allow reuse.
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER. Any customer who receives water service for a single or multi- family dwelling unit. RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER does not include educational or other institutions, hotels, motels, or similar commercial establishments.
SERVICE INTERRUPTION. The temporary suspension of water supply, or reduction of pressure below that required for adequate supply, to any customer, portion of a water supply, or entire system.
WASTE OF WATER. This includes, but is not limited to:
(1) Permitting water to escape down a gutter, ditch, or other surface drain; or
(2) Failure to repair a controllable leak of water due to defective plumbing.
WASTEWATER. Water which has been previously used for industrial, municipal, domestic, or other purpose, and has not been returned to the surface or groundwater source.
WATER. Water available to the city for treatment by virtue of its water rights or withdrawal permit or any treated water introduced by the city into its water distribution system, including water offered for sale.
WATER USE CLASSES. These classes shall be established as follows:
(1) Class 1: Essential Water Users.
(a) Domestic use. Water necessary to sustain human life and the lives of domestic pets, and to maintain minimum standards of hygiene and sanitation.
(b) Health care facilities. Patient care and rehabilitation.
(c) Public use.
1. Firefighting.
2. Health and public protection purposes, if specifically approved by health officials and the municipal governing body.
(2) Class 2: Socially or Economically Important Uses of Water.
(a) Domestic uses. All domestic uses other than those included in Classes 1 and 3. Home water use including kitchen, bathroom and laundry use.
(b) Outdoor non-commercial watering (public or private).
1. Agricultural irrigation for the production of food and fiber or the maintenance of livestock.
2. Watering by commercial nurseries at a minimum level necessary to maintain stock, to the extent that sources of water other than fresh water are not available or feasible to use.
3. Water use by arboretums and public gardens of national, state, or regional significance where necessary to preserve specimens, to the extent that sources of water other than fresh water are not available or feasible to use.
4. Use of fresh water at a minimum rate necessary to implement revegetation following earth moving, where such revegetation is required pursuant to an erosion and sedimentation control plan adopted pursuant to law or regulation, to the extent that sources of water other than fresh water are not available or feasible to use.
5. Watering of golf course greens.
(c) Filling and operation of swimming pools.
1. Residential pools which serve more than 25 dwelling units.
2. Pools used by health care facilities for patient care and rehabilitation.
3. Municipal pools.
(d) Washing of motor vehicles. Commercial car and truck washes, unrestricted hours of operation.
(e) Commercial laundromats. Unrestricted hours of operation.
(f) Restaurants, clubs and eating places. Unrestricted hours of operation.
(g) Air conditioning.
1. Refilling for start-up at the beginning of the cooling season.
2. Make-up of water during the cooling season.
3. Refilling specifically approved by health officials and the municipal governing body, where the system has been drained for health protection or repair purposes.
(h) Schools, churches, motels/hotels, and similar commercial establishments. Unrestricted operation.
(3) Class 3: Non-Essential Uses of Water.
(a) Ornamental purposes. Fountains, reflecting pools and artificial waterfalls.
(b) Outdoor non-commercial watering (public or private).
1. Gardens, lawns, parks, golf courses (except greens), playing fields and other recreational areas.
2. Exceptions.
a. Agricultural irrigation for the production of food and fiber or the maintenance of livestock.
b. Watering by commercial nurseries at a minimum level necessary to maintain stock, to the extent that sources of water other than fresh water are not available or feasible to use.
c. Water use by arboretums and public gardens of national, state, or regional significance where necessary to preserve specimens, to the extent that sources of water other than fresh water are not available or feasible to use.
d. Use of fresh water at a minimum rate necessary to implement revegetation following earth moving, where such revegetation is required pursuant to an erosion and sedimentation control plan adopted pursuant to law or regulation, to the extent that sources of water other than fresh water are not available or feasible to use.
(c) Filling and operation of swimming pools; exceptions.
1. Residential pools which serve more than 25 dwelling units.
2. Pools used by health care facilities for patient care and rehabilitation.
3. Municipal pools.
(d) Washing of motor vehicles.
1. Automobiles, trucks, boats and trailers.
2. Exception: commercial car and truck washes.
(e) Restaurants and the like. Serving water in restaurants, clubs, or eating places; exception. Specific request by a customer.
(f) Fire hydrants.
1. Any purpose, including use of sprinkler caps and testing fire apparatus and for Fire Department drills.
2. Exception.
a. Firefighting.
b. Health protection purposes, if specifically approved by the health officials of the municipality.
c. Certain testing and drills by the Fire Department, if in the interest of public safety and is approved by the municipal governing body.
(g) Flushing of sewers and hydrants; exceptions. As needed to ensure public health and safety, and approved by health officials and the municipal governing body.
(h) Air conditioning.
1. Refilling cooling towers after draining.
2. Exception.
a. Refilling for start-up at the beginning of the cooling season.
b. Make-up of water during the cooling season.
c. Refilling specifically approved by health officials and the municipal governing body, where the system has been drained for health protection or repair purposes.
(Ord. 86-39, passed 10-22-86)