(a) The existence of a water shortage emergency shall be established by proclamation of the Manager, when he has determined, after consultation with the Water Superintendent if practicable, that a serious shortage of water supply exists which threatens the public health and safety. The maximum period of duration of such emergency by proclamation shall be thirty days unless, before the expiration of such time, the Manager shall request and obtain the consent of Council to extend such emergency; in which case the emergency shall be extended for either a time certain or an indefinite period, depending on the action taken by Council.
(b) In the proclamation of water shortage emergency, the Manager shall indicate the nature of the water shortage and the category of water uses and/or curtailments invoked, in his discretion and upon consultation with the Water Superintendent, if practicable, according to the following categories:
STEP 1: Immediate moratorium on all new water taps for all types of uses, including residential construction within the water system; use of water for sprinkling lawns, washing vehicles, air conditioning, and swimming pools completely prohibited.
STEP 2: Industrial use of water in industries using water in actual production, exclusive of minor clean-up and sanitary use incidental to operation, is curtailed from 0% to 50%.
STEP 3: Industrial and commercial use for all other purposes is curtailed form 0% to 50% excluding hospitals, schools, nursing homes and public buildings.
STEP 4: All industrial and commercial use is curtailed from 50% to 100% excluding hospitals, schools, nursing homes and public buildings which are curtailed from 0% to 50%.
STEP 5: Schools and public buildings are curtailed from 50% to 100%.
The foregoing categories are cumulative in effect and application (see Exhibit A attached to original Ordinance 1172-78, passed January 23, 1978) and the categories invoked may be changed from time to time during the duration of the emergency as needs arise. Curtailment in all categories shall be imposed ratably upon all users within each category until the percentage limitation for each respective user is reached.
(c) The Manager shall cause the proclamation of water shortage emergency and all subsequent changes of category, if any, to be released immediately upon his signature to all news media serving the Municipality; and he shall cause the proclamation and other information to be published as soon as practicable in a newspaper of general circulation within the Municipality.
(d) During any period of water shortage emergency proclaimed by the Manager or by all other legally constituted and authorized authority, no person (including partnerships and corporations) shall use water in violation of such proclamation and the categories of use prohibition and/or curtailment invoked from time to time. Anyone violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. In the event of continued violation of curtailment, each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense. The Manager may order the water service of any user who violates this section more than twice during any such emergency to be terminated immediately and without further notice; and such service, once terminated, need not be restored until the period of emergency is over.
(Ord. 1172-78. Passed 1-23-78.)