A. Stage 1; Sprinkling: The city reserves the right to regulate the use of water for sprinkling and irrigation purposes and the city council may at any time hereafter, by resolution adopted in regular session, raise, alter or lower the penalties herein provided for improper use of water for sprinkling and irrigation purposes and the water superintendent shall give notice by publication of any restrictions on the use of water for such purposes and further notices shall be given thereof to consumers with the next monthly statement rendered by the city clerk, and thereafter any consumer using or permitting water to be used for sprinkling or irrigation purposes except as permitted in such notice, shall be subject to a penalty.
It is the duty of the water superintendent, whenever the consumption of water threatens to exceed the capacity of the pumping system, to report such condition to the mayor and council in order that the use of water for sprinkling and irrigation may be restricted.
B. Minimum Standards: The following minimum standards are considered the foundation to "best practices of water use". These standards are in effect from the adoption hereof:
1. Increase public awareness of the water supply situation and provide educational materials about best practices of water use.
2. Encourage the entire community to conserve water wherever possible.
3. No eating establishment, restaurant, hotel, cafe, cafeterias, etc., shall serve drinking water unless expressly requested by a patron and will display notice of such policy.
4. Hotels will provide notice of declared water conservation program and encourage conservation practices.
5. All public facilities (includes city, county, state, federal and schools) not on automated systems, will limit irrigation to three (3) days a week.
6. Vehicles will be washed only on the scheduled irrigation day.
7. Landscape irrigation is restricted to the following schedule:
a. Even numbered addresses: Will water on even numbered calendar days.
b. Odd numbered addresses: Will water on odd numbered calendar days. No one will water on the thirty first day of a month.
c. Premises with no street address, such as a median: Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
8. Watering will only be allowed on appropriate irrigation days from six o'clock (6:00) A.M. to ten o'clock (10:00) A.M. and five o'clock (5:00) P.M. to ten o'clock (10:00) P.M.
Automated sprinkler systems begin on scheduled day after ten o'clock (10:00) P.M. and run through cycle.
9. Outdoor landscape watering with a drip irrigation system or handheld container is allowed at any time.
10. All irrigation systems must be maintained in a manner that promotes efficient watering and limits leaks or damage to the system that would allow flow of water beyond property lines.
11. No open hoses are allowed.
C. Additional Stage 1-3 Restrictions: When deemed appropriate, the city council may move to additional restrictions as outlined in stages 1-3.
1. Stage 1:
a. No water customer shall apply water to impervious surfaces such as streets, sidewalks, patios, decks, etc.
b. Landscape irrigation two (2) days per week on designated days:
(1) Public facilities are restricted to two (2) days a week.
(2) Even numbered addresses: Tuesday, Saturday.
(3) Odd numbered addresses: Wednesday, Sunday.
(4) Premises with no street address, such as a median: Monday, Friday.
2. Stage 2:
a. No water customer shall apply water to impervious surfaces such as streets, sidewalks, patios, decks, etc.
b. Landscape irrigation one day per week on designated days:
(1) Public facilities are restricted to one day a week.
(2) Even numbered addresses: Tuesday.
(3) Odd numbered addresses: Friday.
(4) Premises with no street address, such as a median: Monday.
3. Stage 3:
a. No water customer shall apply water to impervious surfaces such as streets, sidewalks, patios, decks, etc.
b. Indoor use may be reduced by a percentage to be determined by city council.
c. Landscape irrigation two (2) days per month on designated days:
(1) Public facilities are restricted to one day a week during the first and third weeks of the month.
(2) Even numbered addresses: Second and fourth Tuesday.
(3) Odd numbered addresses: First and third Friday.
(4) Premises with no street address, such as a median: Second and fourth Monday.
D. Additional Restrictions During Any Stage: Based upon evaluations of the expected yield and projected demands the city council may impose additional restrictions on water use during any stage up to and including, but not limited to, any of the following:
1. No additional water connections to the system allowed moratorium on building permits.
2. Outdoor water prohibited except for large trees with trunks of at least six inches (6") in diameter.
3. Operation of water features prohibited.
4. Filling or refilling of water features, pools or ponds prohibited.
E. Duration Of Restrictions: Regular evaluations of the expected yield and projected demands to determine whether it is necessary to continue the water use restrictions. If water supply conditions warrant, restrictions may be either downgraded or withdrawn subject to city council approval by resolution.
F. Exceptions: Water customers may use water essential to protect the general public health, safety, or welfare. Irrigation systems may be operated at any time for maintenance purposes (not to exceed 10 minutes per station). Customers may apply for relief from the water schedule for purposes of establishing a new lawn not to exceed three (3) months.
G. Alternate Water Management Plans: A water customer may request relief from applicable restrictions by filing an alternative water management plan with the city council. The city will provide customers with the ability to design water management alternatives that give customers flexibility in meeting the restrictions while achieving maximum conservation goals. The city must give approval to the plan and may require periodic reporting and posted notice of alternate water management plan.
H. Violations And Fines:
1. Each water customer shall be responsible for compliance with this section with respect to the water customer's premises, and shall be responsible for applicable fines for noncompliance with this section. In the event of an alleged violation of this section, proof of the existence of a declared water shortage and proof of any violation of any restriction set forth in this section, together with proof that the violation originated at any water customer's premises, shall constitute a rebuttable presumption that the water customer is responsible for the violation.
2. Fines through stage 2:
a. First violation: Written warning.
b. Second violation: Written notice and add a forty dollar ($40.00) fine to the water bill for the premises.
c. Third violation: Written notice and add an eighty dollar ($80.00) fine to the water bill for the premises.
d. Fourth violation and subsequent: Written notice and add a one hundred twenty dollar ($120.00) fine to the water bill for the premises.
3. Fines through stage 3:
a. First violation: Written notice and add an eighty dollar ($80.00) fine to the water bill for the premises.
b. Second violation: Written notice and add a one hundred sixty dollar ($160.00) fine to the water bill for the premises.
c. Third violation and subsequent: Written notice and add a two hundred forty dollar ($240.00) fine to the water bill for the premises.
4. Any fine assessed shall be added to the customer's water bill.
5. Any appeal of a fine imposed may be appealed within fifteen (15) days of the billing date through the city council. Appeals must be in writing addressed to the city clerk of Shoshone.
6. Written warning or notice shall be delivered in person to the customer's premises by leaving it with a person at the premises or posted on the front door if no one is present to accept it. (Ord. 540, 2013: Ord. 495 § 1, 2005: Ord. 378, 1986: prior code § 1-921)